


■■-■••i-!''.A;- «•■■■; 

.■.■■":t'""^"v: ' 



I../' 






,V ,t 


t'^ 


"V: 


..1 . . 


:V;-: 


■ f. 





'^'^'^i'r.k'y. 



Jt:-: 



'•',1 : ' • , ■•-■ •'''■* 



• \ 



V 



r 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



THIS VOLUHE CONTAINS 



Biographical Sketches 



OF 



Leading Citizens 



OF THE 



Seventeenth Congressional District 



PENNSYLVANIA. 



'Biography is the only true history." Emerson. 



BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

BUFFALO, N.Y. 

CHICAGO, ILL. 

1899. 



PREFACE. 




AVING broiig;ht to a successful termination our labors in the Seventeenth Con- 
gressional District in compiling and editing the sketches herein contained, 
we desire, in presenting this liook of biographies to our patrons, to make 
a few remarks, necessarily brief, in regard to the value and importance of 
local works of this nature. We agree with Ralph Wahlo ICmerson that "Biography 
is the only true historw" and also are of the opinion that a collection of the biogra- 
phies of the leading men of a nation would give a more interesting, as well as authen- 
tic, history of their country than any other that could be written. The 
value of such a production as this cannot be too highl\- estimated. With each 
succeeding 3'ear the haze of Obscurity removes more and more from our view the fast 
disappearing landmarks oi the past; Oblivion sprinkles her dust of foregetfulness on 
men and their deeds, effectuall}' concealing them from the pul)lic eye; and because of 
the many living objects which claim our attention, few of those who have been 
removed from the busy world linger long in our memory. Even the glorious achieve- 
ments of the present age may not insure it from being lost in the glare of greater 
things to come, and so it is manifesth' a duty to posterity for the men at the 
present time to preserve a record of their lives and a story of their progress from 
low and humble beginnings to great and noble deeds, in order that future genera- 
tions may read the account of their successful struggles, and profit by their ex- 
ample. A local history affortls the best means of preserving ancestral histor\', and 
it also becomes, immediatel}' upon its publication, a ready book of reference for 
those who have occasion to seek biographical data of the leading and early settled 
families. Names, dates and events are not easily remembered b}' the average 
man, so it behooves the generations now living, who wish to li\e in the memory 
of their descendants, to write their own records, making them full and broad in 
scope, and minute in detail, and insure their preservation b\- having them put in 
printed form. We firmly believe that in these collated personal memoirs will be 
found as true and as faithful a record of the Seventeenth Congressional District 



PREFACE 



as may be obtained anywhere, for the ver)' sufficient reason that its growth and 
development are identified uitli tliat of the men who have made it what it is to-day 
— the representative leading men, whose personal sketches it iias been a pleasure 
to us to write and give a place in this volume. From the time when the hand of 
civilized man liad not yet violated the \irgin soil with desecrating plow, nor with 
the ever-ready frontiersman's ax felled the noble, almost limitless, forests, to the 
present period of activity in all branches of industr\-, we may read in the histories 
of the district's leading men, and of their ancestors, the steady growth and develop- 
ment which has been going on here for a century and a half, and bids fair to continue 
for centuries to come. A hundred years from now, whatever records of the 
present time are then e.xtant, having withstood the ravages of time and the cease- 
less war of the elements, will be viewed with an absorbing interest, equaling, if 
not surpassing, that which is taken to-day in the history of the early settlements 
of America. 

It has been our purpose in the preparation of this work to pass o\er no 
phase or portion of it slightingly, but to give attention to the smallest points, 
and thus invest it with an air of accuracv', to be obtained in no other way. The 
result has amply justified the care that has been taken, for it is our honest belief 
that no more reliable production, under the circumstances, could have been com- 
piled. 

One feature of this work, to whicli we have given special iirominence, and 
which we are sure will pro\e of extraordinary interest, is the collection of 
portraits of the representative and leading citizens which appear throughout the 
volume. We have tried to represent thi> different spheres of industrial and pro- 
fessional activity as well as we might. To those who have been so uniformly 
obliging and ha\e kindly interested themselves in the success of this work, volun- 
teering information and data which ha\e been very helpful to us in preparing 
this Book of Biographies of the Seventeenth Congressional District, we desire to express 
our grateful and profound acknowledgment of their valued services. 

Chicago, III., May, 1899. THE PUBLISHERS. 



N O T E 

All the biographical sketches published in this volume were sub- 
mitted to their respective subjects, or to the subscribers from whoni 
the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction 
before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each 
case for the return of the type-written copies. Most of them were 
returned to us within the time alloted, or before the work was printed, 
after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore be regarded 
as reasonably accurate. 

A few, however, were not returned to us; and, as we have no 
means of knowing whether they contained errors or not, we cannot 
vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this 
work more \'aluable for reference purposes, we have indicated these 
uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after 
the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of 
the book. 

BIOGRAPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. 



Book of Biographies 

seventeenth 

congressional district 

pennsylvania. 




CHRISTIAN KREUKKICK KNAl'l' 



Book of Blodrapbks 



Seventeenth Congressional District 



/^IIRISTIAN FREDERICK KNAPP, 
I J| one of the most widely known resi- 

^*— ^^ dents of the state of Pennsylvania, 
is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed 
citizens of Bloomsburg. He was born in the 
city of Besigheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, 
October 12, 1822, and is a son of John Baltas 
and Sophia Dorothea (Kontzman) Knai)p. 

John B. Knapp was born in the city of 
Besigheim, \\'urtemberg, Germany, in March, 
1784, and was a vine-dresser until April, 1831, 
^\■hen, with his wife and six sons, he came 
to this country, landing in the city of Phila- 
delphia August 9, 1 83 1. Later he moved to 
Kensington, Pa., where he worked twelve 
years as a glassblower; he then moved to 
Pottsgrove township, Montgomery County, 
Pa., where he spent the remainder of his active 
days, engaged in the cu]ti\ation of the soil. 
He died at the age of eighty-seven years. He 
was united in marriage with Sophia Dorothea 
Kontzman, who was liorn in Stadten, Ger- 
many, August 9, 1 791, the nu])tials occurring 
in April, 1814. As a result of this union the 
following children were born to them : Chris- 
tian G., born August 7, 1819; Louisa Clara, 



born May 7, 1821; Christian F., our subject; 
Gottleib Ernst, born February 6, 1S25; 
Charles August, born December. 16, 1826; 
Gottleib, born September 17, 1828: William 
Frederick, born January 11, 1830; Caroline 
Dorothea, born February 3, 1834, who is the 
wife of J. E. Van Natta; John George, born 
May 4, 1836; and Jacob, born May 11, 1838. 
The mother of our subject passed from this 
life at the age of fifty years. 

Christian Frederick Knapp was educated 
principally by his father, who was a good Lat- 
in scholar and took great pride in assisting his 
children to acquire a good education. Our 
subject inherited many of the good traits of 
character of his father, who was aide-de-camp 
on Napoleon's staff during the Russian cam- 
paign, at the burning of Moscow, and at the 
battle of Berdine. Our subject's first active 
labor was to drive a team on the canal, and 
wdiile a mere lad he passed through various 
degrees of a boatman's life to captain; he then 
became a teamster during the construction of 
the first furnace erected there; he then chose 
the trade of a mason and, after serving an ap- 
prenticeship for three years, became a skilled 



12 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



workman. W'liile workiiiq' at liis trade he fell 
ihn)u>jli a fuiiiace. wliicli fall nearly cost him 
liis life: nixni recoverintj Jiis health he was 
a])iM liiiicil assistant resenue assessor and 
ser\ed as such through I.incoln's administra- 
tion. Subseciuently he turned his attention to 
the fire insurance business and represented six 
of the leading insurance companies as agent, 
and was also special agent and adjuster 
througlioiU the state for the companies he 
rc])resented. Mr. Knapj) erected a fine iiouse 
at No. 346 East Main street, where he now 
resides. 

Our subject formed a matrimnnial alliance 
with Maria I'-lizabetli \'an Xatta. a daughter 
of I'eter Van Natta of Bloomsburg, and they 
were wedded October 13, 1846. She was born 
ill liloomsburg. October 18. 1825. and died 
December Ji, 1891. To our subject and wife 
were born the following children: Caroline 
Margaret, born July 18, 1847. who is the wife 
of William F. Bodine, a i)ainter and pajjcr dec- 
orator; Sophia Amelia, born February 3. 
1849, wife of John Harvey Long of Madera, 
Cal., and they have reared two children. Chris- 
tian Frederick and Carrie, another, Harold, 
having died in infancy; John Ellis, born 
March 10, 1850. died in 1856; Peter Ernst, 
born Sejiteniber 23, 1853, wedded Clara 
Wicht, and they are the ])arcnts of two chil- 
dren, — Mary Smith and Jennie Stowell; and 
Mary Catherine, born October 14, 1859, who 
is the wife of George Sloan Robbins of 
Bloomsburg. who had one child, Katherine 
Marie, who died May jfi. 1897, at the age of 
nine years. 

Air. Kn;ipp joined the 1. O. O. F. in 1846: 
was secretary of Van Camp Lodge, No. 140. 
and for thirty-two years district deputy grand 
master: a memljer of Suscpiehanna Encamp- 
ment, No. 60; and district deputy grand patri- 
arch seven years. Mr. Knajip is a fine speak- 



er. Certainly there is not another man in 
the state of Pennsylvania, if in the I'nited 
.States, will) is as well j^osted in Masonry as 
is Mr. Knapp. He has traveled all over this 
state and has been given many banc]uets; a'so 
been presented with many valuable and hand- 
some presents in token of his services in tiie 
Masonic fraternity. On September 23. 1851. 
he recei\ed his first degree in Free .Masonry, 
in Danville Lodge, No. 224, F. & .\. AL; in 
October of the same year he received the sec- 
ond degree and in November the third de- 
gree. In January. 1852, he resigned his mem- 
bership in the Danville Lodge for the ]5ur]jose 
of starting a lodge in Bloomsburg, and in Au- 
gust a charter was granted by the 1\. \\'. Ci. 
Lodge of Pennsylvania to Washington 
Lodge, No. 265, to be held in Bloomsburg, 
and C. F. Knap]) was namecl in the warrant 
as its first Junior Warden. In December he 
was elected W. M. of the lodge and served 
until December, 1854, when he was elected 
secretary, having per\'ed as such up to the 
IMCsent time. He was apjiointed by the P. W. 
(i. M. as D. D. G. M. for the counties of Un- 
ion. Snvder. .Xortliuniber'and. .Montour. Co- 
lumbia and Wyoming, and served as such for 
eight years, when lie resigned. He received 
the Mark Master Degree in (iirarcl Mark 
Lodge, No. 214, at Philadelphia, from Har- 
nian Bauch, (jrand High Priest; November 
21, 1855, he received the Most Excellent and 
R. .\. degrees in Catawissa Chapter, No. 178; 
passed the chairs of said chapter and was ap- 
pointed and served as D. D. Ci. High Priest 
for six years: in 1869 he resigned from the 
Cbajiter and obtained ,-i charter for Blooms- 
burg Cha])ter, No. 218, P. .\. M.. and has 
since served as secretary of the same. On 
March 6, 1856. he was Knighted in Park Fn- 
cam])mcnt. No. 11. K. T., and appendant or- 
ders bv Char'es Blumenthal, Grand Master: 



SE\ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



13 



in May, 1856, received a charter for Crusade 
Commandery, Xo. 12. K. T.. and was named 
in the same as tlie first Eminent Conmiander, 
and served as such for three years; also served 
as recorder since. In May, 1857, our subject 
was elected G. Captain General; in 1858, G. 
Generallissimo; in 1859, G. Deputy G. Com- 
mander; and in i860, G. Right Eminent G. 
Conmiander of the Grand Commandery of 
Pennsylvania. In May, 1861, he was elected 
G. Lecturer of the Knights Templar of the 
state and served in 1862-63; and in 1864 was 
elected G. Division Commander of the state 
of Pennsylvania and ser\-ed as such in 1864 
and 1865. 

On November 21. 1856, J^Ir. Knapp took 
the council degrees in Palestine Council, No. 
g. of R. & S. Masters, at Pottstown. Pa., and 
resigned for the purpose of starting a Council 
of S. M. at Bloomsburg; was made, by Alfred 
Creigh. L. L. D., M. P. G. Master of Penn- 
sylvania; obtained a charter for Mt. Moriah 
Council, No. 10, in the same year, being men- 
tioned in the warrant as the Second Officer; 
in December, 1857, was elected as T. L G. M. 
and served four years; in December, 1861, 
was elected recorder of same and has since 
served in that capacity; in May, 1868, w-as 
elected M. P. G. M. of Pennsylvania, and was 
re-elected until he retired, in 1876. 

In May, 1856, he received the degrees A. A. 
S. Rite from the 4th to the i8th, inclusive, in 
Harrisburg at the hands of R. H. \'an Ren- 
.salier, G. Commander, N. AI. Jurisdiction, and 
during the same year recei\'ed the degrees 
from the i8th to the 32d, inclusive, Harris- 
burg Consistory, S. P. R. S. ; in May, 1857, 
received a charter for Enoch Lodge of Perfec- 
tion, 14th Degree, and the charter for Zerrub- 
babel Council. P. of Jer.. T6th Degree, and 
Evergreen Chapter of Rose Croi.x, 18th De- 
gree, serving as first officer in each of the 



three bodies for one year, and then as secre- 
tary of each body up to 1879. In May. 1858, 
he received the charter for Caldwell Consis- 
tory, S. P. R. S., 32d Degree, and was named 
as its first 111. Com. -in-Chief, serving as such 
twenty-six years; in May, 1868, was elected 
an honorary member of the Supreme Council 
and received the 33d Degree at Cincinnati, 
O.; in 1870 he was elected to the active 33d 
Degree in .Supreme Council and was crowned 
as such in New York City. In September, 
1879, he resigned his active membership and 
returned to the honorary rank; December 7, 
1870, he received the order of Knights of the 
Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, Knights 
St. John, Viceroy Eusebeus Prince Mason and 
Holy Sepulchre, at the hands of Sir Alfred 
Creigh. L. L. D., in the city of Philadelphia, 
he being the Chief Intendant General for the 
U. S. of A., by authority of the Imperial 
Council of England, and from- him obtahied a 
charter for Orient Conclave, No. 2. to be held 
in Bloomsburg. his name being enrolled on 
the book of the Imperial Council in London. 
England. 

On December 16, 1876, the number, 15. of 
Orient Conclave was changed to No. 2, as 
above, C. F. Knapp being the first Sovereign 
of the same. In 1872 he retired from that 
position, having served during the years 1871 
and 1872. In December, 1872, the Grand 
Council of Pennsylvania being formed at 
Reading (independent of England), he was 
elected as G. Viceroy and served three years. 
In February, 1875, he was elected G. Sover- 
eign of the Grand Council of Pennsylvania, 
in Harrisburg, and ser\-ed as such one year. 
June I, 1875, the G. Imperial Council of the 
U. S. was formed and Mr. Knapp was elected 
Grand Senior General of that body; was 
elected Deputy G. Master of the G. Imperial 
Council for the U. S. in the citv of New York; 



14 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ill 1S77 lie was elected (jraml Master ul that 
liixly ill kocliester, X. ^'. 

in l-'elji'iiary, 1874. he received the urder of 
(irand Cross at tlie hands of C. L. Stowell, G. 
Sov'ereign of Pennsylxania. at tlie age of fifty- 
two years. Xo nation can ha\e more than 
fifty ii\ing- nieniljcrs of tliis order. In June, 
1877, at a (Iraiid Ciiai)ter of (irand Crosses, 
lie was elected a second time as the second 
grand officer of that body for the United 
States. In June, 1879, at a Grand Chapter 
of Grand Crosses, he was elected as Grand 
.Master of the U. S. In June 1880, Mr. Knapp 
retired from that office. 

The publishers of this work take pleasure 
in announcing that a ])ortrait of Mr. Knapp 
is presented on a preceding ])age. 



OHX R.. FLEMING, who is promi- 
nently known as the proprietor of the 
old Rogers ^^'o()len Mills near Forks- 
ville, Sullivan County, Pa., is also en- 
gaged in farming, owning a fine farm adjoin- 
ing the mill. lie is a man of great industry 
and iiis success has been due to his own ef- 
forts. He was 1)orn in Elkland township, Sul- 
livan County, November lo, 1862. and he is 
a son of I^aniel and Catherine M. (Osier) 
Fleming. 

Daniel Fleming, the father of our subject, 
was a prosperous farmer of Elkland township 
at the beginning of the Civil W'nv and in 1864, 
when the duration of the war was uncertain 
and the successes of the South had cast deep 
gloom over the loyal states, he. like many 
another bra\e man. willed that his country 
should live, and he immediately olTered his 
services. He enlisted in Company D, Heavy 
.Artillery, leax'ing a happy home, a family and 
nian\- friends. .\t the l)attle of the Wilder- 



ness, on June 17th, he was wounded and three 
days later passed into the unknown world. 1 le 
was united in marriage witii Catherine .M. 
Osier, by whom he had one son, John R., our 
subject. She is a daughter of John H. and 
Jane (Myers) Osier, and her grandfather was 
a soldier in the \\'ar of 1812, in which he was 
killed. After the hitter's death liis wife mar- 
ried a ^Ir. Bryan and settled in Sullivan Coun- 
ty, Pa., where John H. Osier was reared. 
.'Mter reaching manhood he moved to Elkland 
townshi]) and engaged in farming: later he 
mo\-etl to what is now Forksville and engage. 1 
in woolen manufacturing, purchasing the 
mills our subject now owns. These he con- 
ducted for a period of tliirty-fi\e years. He 
died at the age of eighty-four years and his 
wife at seventy-nine. The children born to 
them were: Jeremiah M.. of Elkland town- 
ship; Sarah Jane, deceased; Catherine M., 
our subject's mother; John S. of Elkland 
township: Clay Al. of Forks township; Ly- 
dia. who married Perry Benfield of Forks\-ille: 
David W. of Lycoming County; and Edwin 
R. of Halestown. Md. The widow of Daniel 
Fleming formed a second alliance with Daniel 
T. Huckell. deceased, a record of whose life 
ap])ears elsewhere in this Piook of Biog- 
ra]diies. 

John R. Meniing was reared on a farm and 
obtained a good common school education, 
after which he took u]) the occupation of a 
farmer and followed it until 1884. He then, 
in association with 1). W. Osier, Estp, bought 
the old Rogers ^\'oolell Mills in Forksville of 
J. II. Osier and jmrchased a tract of fifty 
acres adjoining. In 1SS7 the firm dissolved 
partnerslii]). our subject retaining the farm and 
Mr. Osier the mill. .Since then Mr. Fleming 
has leased the mill and is engaged in the man- 
ufacture of woolen yarns and doing general 
custom work. I!e has a full set of cards and 




HON. SIMON P. \\OL\KK10N 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



17 



tlie capacity of his factory is seventy-five 
pounds per day. The Rogers mills were es- 
tablished early in the Nineteenth Century, and 
are widely known throughout the county, as 
they were for a time the only woolen mills 
in that section. Mr. Fleming still owns the 
farm, with the exception of one lot, which he 
disposed of to his wife's mother. Mrs. F. B. 
Glidwell, on which she has erected a handsome 
residence. He is a man of thorough Inisiness 
habits, enterprising and industrious, and has 
led an exemplary life. 

Mr. Fleming was united in marriage on 
June 6, 1888, with Delia Cdidwell, a daughter 
of Franklin B. and Malinda (Boyle) Glidwell, 
and a granddaughter of William and Mary 
(Little) Glidwell. James Glidwell was the 
earliest ancestor in this country and came 
from iMigland. locating in Sullivan County, 
Fa., where he was among the early settlers. 
He married a Miss King and six children 
blessed their home: John; Thomas; Betsey; 
Sally; David; and \\'i'.liani. 

William Glidwell was born in Northumber- 
land County. Pa., where his parents stooped 
a short time prior to locating in Sullivan 
County. He grew to manhood and purchased 
a farm in Elkland township where he followed 
farming and ran a threshing machine for some 
years. Then, selling out, he bought the stone 
gristmill with Dr. Randall as a partner and 
was engaged in operating the mill during the 
remainder of his days. He married Mary Lit- 
t'e. and their children were: Daniel; Sarah 
Ann; Sarah Ann; Esther; Daniel; Elizabeth; 
George; William K.; Franklin B.; and Sa- 
linda B. The first three named died in their 

infancy. 

Franklin B. Glidwell took up agricultural 

pursuits at an early age. purchasing a farm 

in Elkland township, but later operated a 

mill at Forksville for twenty years, owning it 



for seventeen years of that time. Having sold 
that, he engaged in market gardening in part- 
nership with our subject, taking produce to 
Forksville and Eagles Mere, principally to 
the latter place. He was united in marriage 
to Malinda Boyle, a daughter of John Boyle 
of Elkland township, and they have two chil- 
dren : Delia; and Ivy. who died at the age 
of twenty-four years. 

( )ur subject and his wife have one daughter, 
Grace, who was born August 11, 1889. Polit- 
ically he is a firm Republican. He is a school 
director, and for the past nine years has been 
a member of the town council. 



■g] ON. SIMON P. WOLVERTON of 
Sunbury, Northumberland County, 
Pa., whose portrait is presented on 
the opposite page, is one of the foremost at- 
torneys and one of the most successful and 
formidable corporation lawyers in this state, 
and ex-Representative in Congress from the 
Seventeenth Congressional District. He is a 
son of Joseph and Charity (Kase) Wolverton, 
and was born in Rush township, Northumber- 
land County, January 28. 1837. 

Our subject truly is a self-made man. Start- 
ing out to make his way in youth he had 
as his resources an unusually brilliant intellect, 
a sturdy physique and a constitution which 
seems to have been built as of iron. From 
comparative obscurity, by his untiring indus- 
try and his personal merit and effort, he has 
risen to a position in the front rank of Penn- 
sylvania's men of great attainments, and all 
who know him and realize his worth as a man 
and a citizen rejoice that he has won the hon- 
ors and the success to which he is so justly 
entitled. In his youth Mr. Wolverton, who 
had secured a fairlv good schooling, taught 



18 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



scliool, receiving a meager salary, determined 
to earn enough to pay in's expenses through 
college. Subsequently, when he began the 
study of law, he read lilackstone day and 
night so eager was he to adopt the profession 
to which he was attracted and for which his 
strong and logical intellect seemed so well 
to ht him. As in his youth, Mr. Wolverton 
m his young manhood continued to be a dili- 
gent student and a hard worker, and the same 
traits of character have well served him 
through the remarkably successful career he 
has enjoyed as a lawyer and as a statesman. 
A man of even temper, of indomitable will and 
possessing the best of health, he has known no 
such thing as failure, nor has he encountered 
defeat. As a lawyer, Mr. Wolverton is very 
thorough in the preparation of his cases and 
in the courts he handles them with masterly 
skill. ^ 

In his young manhood \\r, Wolverton 
completed his education at Danville Academy 
and Lewisburg University, in this state. In 
the university he doubled his studies and by 
liard work and persistent effort accomplished 
the work of the Juni<,r and Senior courses in 
one year, doing that which ordinarilv re(|uires 
two years' study in the single year, and grad- 
uated from the institution in i860. Following 
his graduation from the university our sul)^ 
ject entered the office of Hon. Alexander Jor- 
dan in Sunbury, ^Ir. Jordan then being the 
presiding judge in the Eighth Judicial District 
as then constituted. Mv. ^\•o]^•erton was ad- 
mitted to the bar in April, i86j, and imme- 
diately entered upon the practice of law. His 
practice was interrupted when (ien. Stuart, 
the great Rebel connnander. made his raid 
into this state, our subject raising a companv 
of emergency men, of which he was captain, 
who did effective service. Wlu-n a second in- 
vasion of this state was thrcaiene<l bv Lee's 



army, :\Ii-. \\'olverton again went out with the 
emergency company, which was known as 
[ Co. F, 36th Pa. The comjjany was mustered 
into the service July 4. 1863, and mus- 
tered out August 1 1 of the same year. While 
in the military service Mr. Wolverton kept in 
touch with his law business, and on his dis- 
charge from the army immediately resumed 
it, and he has since followed it, to the exclu- 
sion of all else, and has built up a very large 
and lucrative clientage, excepting those pe- 
riods during which he has given his services 
to the people. 

Political honors have been forced upon Mr. 
\\'olverton, the demand for his services being 
of such nature as to be imperative. In the 
fall of 1878 he was elected, as a Democrat, to 
fill out the unexpired term of State Senator 
A. H. Dill. Senator Dill having resigned to 
be a candidate for governor. Twice Mr. Wol- 
verton was re-elected, and he served ten years 
I in the State Senate. He declined a re-nomi- 
1 nation in t888 because he preferred to resume 
{ the more active practice of his profession. 
During his term in the State Senate our sub- 
ject was prominent in securing the enactment 
of m.-my of the most iin])ortant laws. For the 
ten years he was in the legislature he was a 
member of the committee on judiciary. He 
introduced and secured the passage of what 
is known as the "Married Woman's Act" in 
1887. Mr. Wolverton's great po])ularity with 
the people of the Twenty-seventh Senatorial 
District may be estimated by his election to 
the Senate for three successive terms in a dis- 
trict which had a normal Republican plurality 
of o\er i.ooo. For two years after his retire- 
ment from the State Senate :\rr. Wolverton 
devoted his entire time to his profes.sion. 
Then he was again compelled to respond to 
the poi)ul:n- demands of his friends and neigh- 
bors, and ill i8(jo he was elected representa- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



19 



tive in Conoress from the Seventeenth Dis- 
trict, wliicli includes Northumberland, Co- 
lumbia. Montour and Sulli\an Counties. He 
served in the 52d Congress and in 1892 was 
re-e"ected to the 53d Congress. As repre- 
sentatixe he was an untiring worker in the 
interest of his district, faithfully and most ably 
reiJresenling those who had so strenuously 
insisted upon again bestowing upon him po- 
litical honors. .\t the expiration of his second 
term in Congress our subject's le^l business 
had attainetl such magnitude that he realized 
he either must al^andon law and its practice 
or gi\e up political position. He decided to 
abandon jiolitics, except as he might partici- 
pate in jinlilical affairs as a citizen, and to 
devote his entire time and energy to the prac- 
tice of his |)rofession. 

No better endorsement of the great ability 
of Mr. W'oiverton as a lawyer could be put 
forward than the statement that he is attorney 
for a number of very large corporations, in- 
cluding the following : Philadelphia & Read- 
ing Railroad; Philadelphia & Reading Coal 
& Iron Company: Lehigh Valley Ivailroad 
Company; Lehigh Valley Coal Com- 
pany; Cox Bros. & Company, the larg- 
est coal operators in Pennsylvania; the Dela- 
ware, Sunbur\- & Sclnulkill Railroad Com- 
pany, and many other corporations of less 
magnitude. Our subject was among those 
prominent in organizing and constructing the 
Sunbury, Hazleton & Wilkesbarre Railroad 
and the Shamokin. Sunbury & Lewisburg 
Railroad, of which he was jiresident, and 
which is now a ]?art of the Reading system. 
Mr. W'oiverton built the Sunbury & North- 
umberland Electric Railway and is now inter- 
ested in it. He also is interested in the Sun- 
bury Electric Light & Power Company, the 
Northumberland Illuminating Company, and 
other local enter])rises which are of a semi- 



public and laeneficial character as greatly aid- 
ing in the development and growth of Sun- 
burv. 

On March 27,, 1865, Mr. Wolverton was 
united in marriage with Elizabeth D. Hen- 
dricks, daughter of Benjamin Hendricks of 
Sunbury. They have reared a family of three 
charming children : Mary G., wife of Bidd'.e 
Arthurs of I'ittsburg, Pa.; Elizabeth K.; and 
Simon P. Jr., who is a student of law in his 
father's ofifice. 

This review of the interesting and wonder- 
fully successful career of Simon P. W'oiverton 
would be somewhat incomplete without suit- 
able reference to his ancestry. The W'oiver- 
ton family is of Englisli-Ouaker origin. Ac- 
cording to well authenticated tradition three 
brothers emigrated from Wolverliamjiton, 
England, about 1700 and settled on Long Is- 
land, N. Y. The family was then, as now, 
one of distinction, and its coat of arms bore 
the wolf's head. The descendants are scat- 
tered over nearly every state in the L'nion, 
and many are residents of Canada. Many 
members of the family ha\'e attained promi- 
nence in business, political and professional 
circles. Of the three brothers wdio originally 
came to this country Charles W^olverton, the 
lineal ancestor of the subject of our review, 
Simon P. W'oiverton. in 1714 removed to 
Hunterdon County, N. J., where tlie family 
resided for several generations. 

Charles W'oiverton, a lineal descendant of 
the Charles Wolverton who was one of the 
original immigrants, was the great-grand- 
father of our subject. He served in the War 
of the Revolution. He owned a large tract of 
land in Hunterdon Coimty, N. J., which he 
granted to his son, Isaac, grandfather of our 
subject, on February 12. 1816. Isaac W'oh-er- 
ton was born in Plunterdon Coimty, N. J., 



.August II, I 



///■ 



and came with his father 



20 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



and family to Augusta township, Northum- 
hcrlaiul County, in iSoo, wliere he died in 
1800. His father (hcd in .Xuj^usta township, 
as (hd tlie son wlio (hed in 1S55. Isaac W'ol- 
\erton was a prosperous and successful farm- 
er. He was a Democrat in jiolitics and served 
as county conmiissioner. He was a devout 
Baptist and fiUed numerous offices in the 
churcli society of wliicli lie was a member. 
He married Lucretia Chaml)erlain and reared 
a family of five children, — two sons and three 
daughters. 

Josei)h W'oh'crton, father of our subject, 
was born in Augusta township, Northumljer- 
lancl County, September 25, 1803, and died in 
Sunbury in 1883. He spent his lifetime in his 
native township and in the neighboring town- 
ship of Rush, and was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits. He was a Baptist. He married Char- 
ity, a daughter of William Kase, who was of 
German descent, and resided in Rush town- 
ship, where he was a farmer, and also served 
as a justice of the peace. The family of Jo- 
sejih and Charity W'olverton consisted of two 
sons and three daughters. 



AMES G. HEMPSTED, superintend- 
ent of the forging department of The 
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing 
Company and one of the successful 
business men of the town of P>crwick, is held 
in high esteem by his employers and by his 
fellow-workmen. Our subject was born in 
Perthshire, Scotland. August .24, 1857, and is 
a son of John and Mary (Gardiner) Hempsted. 
John Hempsted was born in Scotland and is 
one of the successful tillers of the soil in that 
countrv. He was joined in the bonds of wed- 
lock to Marv Gardiner, also a nati\e of Scot- 



land, and a large family of children was born 
to them. 

Our subject recei\ed his intellectual train- 
ing in the public schools of his native town, 
and for seven years he served an apprentice- 
ship to the trade of a mechanic. In 1883 he 
immigrated to the United States and located 
in lioston, Mass., where lie found employment 
in the Hinkley Locomotive Works for two 
years; later he was employed as foreman of 
the forging department of the Cape Ann .An- 
chor Works at (jloucester, Mass. His next 
mo\e was to Pittsburg, Pa., where he was 
foreman in the forging department of the 
Carnegie Lower Union Mills and sub- 
sequently foreman in the Pittsburg Loco- 
motive Works at Pittsburg, Pa. In 1893 '^^ 
removed to Berwick. In 1884 The Jackson & 
Woodin plant was moved from the Hill and 
enlarged to its present capacity and is now do- 
ing all kinds of railroad forging and black- 
smithing. Our subject's department contains 
ten steam hanuners; two Bradley hanmiers: 
two drop hannners; about ninety other ma- 
chines for manufacturing forgings; and thirty- 
four forges, which require 340 men to operate 
them. Mr. I lcmi)stcd is an excellent mechan- 
ic and a thoroughly reliable workman and is 
held in high esteem for his ability and sterling 
worth. 

Mr. Hempsted was joined in the l)onds of 
matrimony to Marie Evans, a daughter of 
Capt. James Evans of Cornwall, England. 
Three children were the result of this union: 
James E. and John B., twins, born December 
10, 1897; '"'"1 Ellen, born June 25, 1890, died 
.\ugust I J, 1890. He is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Order and the .\. O. L^. \\'. Since Mr. 
Plempsted has resided in this state he has i le v- 
tified himself with its interests and is cons'd- 
ered one of its most \aluable citizens. He has 
done all in his power to assist in the bui'ding 




\'i:kv ke\erknu john joskph koch. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



23 



up of his own commmiity, and is considered 
one of its mainstays. 



^/^<V REVEREND JOHN JOSEPH 
Y^) KOCH, whose portrait appears on 
the preceding page, is the beioved 
pastor of St. Edward's Roman Catholic 
Church, the oldest religious organization in 
Shamokin and the first to build a church in 
the town. He is a man of sterling character 
and has for many years been identified with 
everything which has been for the spiritual 
and moral advancement of the people with 
whom he has been so closely associated for 
over thirty-two years. Father Koch in his 
priesthood, he has also been father in material 
ways, and countless families revere him and 
love him for his fatherly interest and assist- 
ance which he has bestowed in times of need, 
with that unostentatious Christian spirit wdiich 
marks all his labors and which, with bis many 
manly (pialities, has won to him the ever- 
lasting love of the Catholics of his parish and 
the admiration and respect of all citizens of 
the borough. His high Christian character 
and the grand work he has accomplished for 
the people over whom he has charge, stand 
as fitting and ever-living monuments to his 
energy, his faithfulness and his untiring labors 
as priest and as citizen. 

Our subject is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Francois) Koch. He was born February 5, 
1 840, in Lorraine, France, part of the Province 
of Alsace-Lorraine which w^as ceded by France 
to Germany in 187 1 after the war which ended 
in the triumphant march of the Germans to 
Paris. At the age of eight and a half years 
our subject entered the University of Pont-a- 
Mousson, from \vhich he was graduated Aug- 
ust 5. 1857, at the early age of seventeen years. 



He then entered the Seminary at Nancy, hav- 
ing determined to study for the priesthood. 
He remained in the seminary for alxiut five 
years, leaving the institution within four 
months of the time required to complete the 
requisite course. The cessation of his studies 
was owing to the fact that because of his 
youth he could not be ordained a priest for 
two years, he being two years under the age 
fixed by the church for ordination in the 
priesthood. This circumstance rendered it 
inadvisable for our sul)ject to remain in 
France and await the time wdien he might 
enter the priesthood there. In i8()i this 
studious and energetic young man, in re- 
sponse to an invitation from Bishop Wood of 
Philadelphia, came to the United States, 
priests at that period l)eing comparatively 
few as compared with the extensive fields in 
which the work of the church was being en- 
ergetically prosecuted. After spending two 
weeks in Paris he sailed for this country, and 
after a brief stay in New York City joined 
Bishop Wood in Phi'adelphia. He was then 
twenty-two years of age, too young to be 
ordained unless by special dispensation, the 
age of ordination to the priesthood being 
twenty-four vears. In order that his services 
might be utilized and that he might imme- 
diately enter upon the duties he had chosen 
for his life-work, a dispensation was granted 
by Bishop Wood and our subject was or- 
dained and admitted to the priesthood in 
February, 1863. He w'as first installed as an 
assistant at St. Patrick's Church, Philadelphia. 
Two months later he was appointed assistant 
chaplain for the hospitals in the Quaker City, 
an honor which was bestowed upon him be- 
cause of his special fitness for the work and 
his knowledge of Latin, French, German, 
Italian and English. 

Father Koch's abilities as a priest quickly 



24 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



(leiiKJUstraled tlifiiisc'acs and he was trans- 
ferred to this section to take charge of import- 
ant territory. He located in Mihon, Northum- 
Ijer'.and County. December i, 1863. assuming 
tlie cliarge of the churcli there and also of the 
cliurclies and luissions in five counties, in- 
cluding one at Ca.scade, Lycoming County, 
where there was an Irish settlement number- 
ing seventy families; a Cerman congregation 
at Danville, where he built a church; at Trev- 
orton, where he took up and zealously ])ushed 
to completion a church which was nnlinished 
when the priest died who formerly had been in 
charge of the congregation; the churches at 
Sunburv ami l.cwisburg; and the missions at 
Herndon. Ralston and Trout l-iun. l"or three 
years our subject made his headcjuarters at 
Milton, vigorously performing the mu'.titudj 
of duties incuiubent \ii)on him as the shepherd 
of so many docks of the faithful in the adjacent 
country. On September 2. iHf)6, Father Koch 
removed to Shamokin. in obedience of orders 
transferring him to the larger sphere of use- 
fulness and placing u])on him the important 
responsibility of enlarging and perfecting the 
orgaiiizatit)!! in behalf of his church in the 
coal region of Northumberland County. He 
was then appointed the first resident pastor 
of St. Edward's Church in Shamokin, having 
charge also of missions at Trevorton, Locust 
Ga|) and .Mount Carmel. 

A brief review of the history of St. Ed- 
ward's Church is neces.sary to a clear and sat- 
isfactorv understanding of the conditions 
which existed when Father Koch assumed 
charge of tiie church and the remarkable en- 
ergv he displayed and the most satisfactory 
achiexenients he accomplislied in the years 
which he has devoted to the church and the 
Catholics of Shamokin and vicinity. ]\Iany 
Catholics were employed in the construction 
of the Danville i\; I'ottsville Railroad, and as 



early as iH3(S Catholic services were held in 
Shamokin by the jjriests of I'ottsville and 
Miners\iKe. An acre of land in the west end 
of the village was secured for a church and 
cemetery and in iH.V) sufficient money had 
been raided to erect a frame edifice, 20 by 32 
feet in dimensions, unjjlastered and very plain, 
on the southwest corner of the site. The 
leaders in this enterprise were Patrick Reilly, 
master mechanic in the railroad shops, and 
.Matthew Brannigan. and the small church 
was built b_\- Stephen Bittenbender. It was 
dedicated as St. P^dward's Church, October 
II, 1840, by Bisho]) Kenrick of Phi'adelphia. 
These early Catholics of the little village of 
Shamokin were :idmiuistered to In' i)riests of 
Pottsville, JMinersville, Danville and Milton, 
and occasionally by a missionary, and thus 
their faith was kept fittingly before them :m 1 
they rejoiced in their worshi]). though in a 
most humble and scantily-furnished church. 
Rev. ]\Iichael Sheridan, jiastor of St. Joseph's 
Church. Danville, had charge of the congre- 
gation from 1854 to October, 1857, when he 
was succeeded by Rev. Edward Murray, who 
served as pastor for nearly nine years, giving 
way to the sidiject of this review in Septem- 
ber, 1866. 

Upon taking control of the Shamcjkin par- 
ish Father Koch immeiliately set out to infuse 
new life into the congregation and to builil up 
the church. l"larly in his administration of 
the affairs of the church he bought the site, 
uiKin which the present handsome edifice 
stands, for $3,400. The old frame building 
was demolished and a considerably larger 
edifice built u])on the new site which was 
o];ened on Thanksgiving Day, 1866. So 
rapidly did the congregation of St. Edward's 
increase under the able guidance of Father 
Koch that in the fo'.lowing spring of 1867 it 
was necessary to further enlarge the cluu"ch 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



25 



tliat tlie people might comfortably be accom- 
modated and that none might be deprived of 
the privilege which they so greatly desired, of 
attending the services over which our subject 
presided with graceful dignity and earnest- 
ness which are two of his personal charms 
which ha\-e won him res]iect and lo\'e 
throughout his active and successful career in 
the priesthood. In the spring of 1869 a 
parochial residence was erected on a lot ad- 
joining the church at an expenditure of $8,- 
500. In 1870 were "purchased the lands at 
Springfield which have since been used as a 
burial place for the members of the Catholic 
faith. 

Constantly the attendance upon the church 
increased and within a short period of time 
the congregation had grown so large that a 
new place of worship was an imperative ne- 
cessity. Ground was Ijroken in the sunuiier of 
1872. the foundations were i)ut in, and in 
Se]5teniber following Father Koch laid the 
first stone in the wall of the church which is 
to-day the pride of the Catholics of Shamo- 
kin. The corner-stone was laid with impres- 
sive ceremonies May 23, 1873, Ijy Bishop 
O'Hara of Scranton. A contract had been let 
for the entire stonework, init the contractor 
abandoned the work, an act which would ut- 
terly have discouraged a less energetic, less 
persevering man than our subject. Deter- 
mined that there should be no unnecessary 
delay. Father Koch for the time acted as his 
own contractor, and, hiring masons, superin- 
tended the construction of the walls until 
they were ready for the roof, at the same time 
keeping u]) with his many pastoral duties. In 
December, 1873, the roof was on, the tower 
was built and walks had been laid about the 
structure. On Christmas morning the first 
mass was celebrated in the basement of the 
new church, in which the ser\ices were held 



until June, 1880, when the church was fin- 
ished. The edifice is of while cut sandstone, 
cjuarried from the luountain side about a mile 
from Shamokin: its interior is 64 feet wide 
and 125 feet long, and the tower is 207 feet 
high. The completion of the building was 
de'aved bv the lack of funds, but Father Koch 
hopefully and energetically kept at work and 
finally was enabled to see the church finished 
in reasonable time. In Xoveml)er, 1876, a 
chime of four large bells was hung in the 
tower, weighing, with the fittings, 8,500 
pounds. The frescoing in the interior was 
ilone in four months under the direction of a 
vvell-known Philadelphia artist. Over the 
nain altar are paintings representing the Cru- 
cifixion, St. Patrick, and the patron of the 
church, St. Ftlward, the figures being life-size. 
In the center of the ceiling a beautiful fresco 
twentv-two feet in diameter portrays the 
"Resurrection of Christ" and is surrounded by 
figures of the four Evangelists, and around 
the walls are paintings of the twelve Apostles. , 
Especiallv noticeable are two beautiful pieces 
of statuarv stan ling on either side of the altar, 
one representing '"Christ meeting His Mother 
on His way to Calvary," and the other "The 
Descent of the Cross," both of which were im- 
ported from France by Father Koch. The 
building is lighted with electricity and heated 
by steam and has a seating capacity of over 
1,000 and as many as 1,400 persons have gath- 
ered within its walls. 

Especial attention has been paid to educa- 
tional facilities by Father Koch since he as- 
sumed charge of St. Edward's Church. In 
1874 he organized a parochial school, using 
the old church as a school building. The 
school was for the fir.st year of its existence 
in charge of lay teachers. In 1875 the school 
was placed under the supervision of four Sis- 
ters of Charitv from Mount St. Vincent, Md., 



26 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



and in 1877 a C(in\ent was (.Tccloil for them. 
Subsequently a lot was ])urcliasccl ojjposite 
the church and llic ])rescnt parochial si-hool 
was built, being completed in 18.83-84. The 
» .school is now conducted b\' ele\en Sisters of 
Charity and lias from 500 to 6co ])ui)ils. 

The congregation of St. Edward's now 
numbers about 3.500 souls, and of these 2,650 
are conuinmicants. Its Sunday School is very 
large and the rector takes great pride in it. 

h'or ten years, from 1888 to i8g8, Father 
l\(ich was vicar-gencnd of the Diocese of 
Harrisburg. On tlie death of Bishop McGov- 
ern, in 1898, he was apjiointed administrator 
of the diocese. 

Catholics and Protestants alike unite in be- 
speaking for Father Koch a long continuance 
in his wortliv and beneficial station and long 
life which shall be crowned with the rewards 
which come of well doing, rightly living, and 
faithful performance of the duties in this life 
laid upon His servants by Him who ruleth all. 



OSEPH M. LILLEY, a member of th.^ 
firm of Lilley & Smith, proprietors of 
the Berwick Manufacturing Company, 
and one of the most reliable and enterprising 
business men of the town of Berwick, was 
liorn at Limeridge, Columbia County, Pa., 
and is a son of Joseph and Lucinda (Evans) 
Lilley. 

Joseph Lilley, the fatlier of our subject, was 
born at Black Hole Valley, Lycoming Coun- 
t\\ I'a., and during his manhood came to Co- 
lumbia County, where he accejjtcd a position 
as lock-tender at Limeridge. Later he em- 
barked in the mercantile business, in which he 
was more than ordinarily .successful. He was 
very prniuinent in his couuuunity and served 



his fellow-citizens as justice of the peace for 
mrmy years. He formed a matrimonial al- 
liance with Lucintla Evans, a daughter of 
Ephraim L\ans. a well-to-do farmer of Co- 
lumbia County. Five children were the result 
of this union, namely: William, an Evangel- 
ical minister residing in Glem'ock, Pa.; Mary, 
united in wedlock with L. ^L Sleppy; Etta, 
wife of Harry Towsend; James, who is pros- 
j^ecting in the West: and Lizzie, who wedded 
Dr. .\. S. Stoddard. Mr. Lilley died in 1867 
at the age of si.xty-eight years; his wife passed 
from this life, aged si.xty-nine years. 

( )ur subject possesses a good education, 
which he ac(|uire(l in the ]nd)lic schools of his 
native town. For some time he was statioii 
agent and ojjerator at Wyoming; later he 
worked as an extra at Bloomsburg, Espy, 
Sh:ckshinn\- and other places on the D., L. iV 
W. R. R., but in i87_' he was appointed to a 
regular s;ation and was sent to Berwick, 
where he remained until 1893, honestly and 
faillifullx' discharging the duties to which he 
had been assigned. In 1896 the Berwick -Man- 
ufacturing Company was established, and in 
1897 our subject and James E. Smith l)ecame 
lilt- proprietors. They erected a large two- 
story buililing 30 by 50 feet, with an engine 
room 15 bv 20 feet, on the corner of Xinth 
and Pine streets, and eni])loy about se\enty 
hands, who are constantly kept busy in the 
making of men's shirts and 'ladies' shirtwaists. 
The projirietors of this establishment are 
thorouglil\- ac(|iiainted with this line of busi- 
ness, and bv their honest methods of dealing 
have built uj) a large and paying patronage. 

Mr. Lillev was united in marriage to Emily 
Dietrich, a daughter of Jacob Dietrich, a resi- 
dent of Berwick, and as a result of this happy 
union one child was born to them, Harriet 
^\'., who is a graduate of the Baltimore Wo- 
men's College, Xeff's College of Oratory at 




DK. iHLulJUKLC. HAKTER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



29 



IMiiladelpliia, and ^Irs. Kirk's Kinders;artcn 
Scliool at IMiiladelpliia. She conducted a kin- 
dergarten school ill Berwick and met with the 
greatest of snccess until appointed model in- 
structor of the model department of the Stale 
Normal School at Bloonisburg, I 'a. 

Our sul)ject strongly advocates the prin- 
ciples of the Republican party and has repre- 
sented his fellow-citizens two terms in the 
town council. He is a member of Knapp 
Lodge, No. 461, F. & A. M., of Berwick. In 
1887 our subject built a neat residence on Sec- 
ond street, which he has since made his home. 



B 



R. THEODORE C. HARTER. We 
have the pleasure to present to our 
readers the biography of one of 
Bloomsburg's foremost physicians and sur- 
geons, whose excellent reputation for profes- 
sional honor and skill has been acquired 
through a general practice in Bloomsburg, ex- 
tending from 1880 until the present time. He 
was born in Nescopeck, Pa., November 10, 
1850, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret 
(Dietrich) Hartcr. and a grandson of ]\Iartin 
Harter. 

Martin Harter was a farmer who resided 
near the \illage of Nescopeck; he was also ' 
engaged in hauling produce to the markets 
of Philadelphia, as that was the only means 
of transportation, and in return he brought 
back merchandise. He reared a famil\- of chil- 
dren, one of whom was Jacob, the father of 
our subject. 

Jacob Harter's chief occupatitm throughout 
life was farming. He purchased a farm when 
he grew to manhood and in addition to farm- 
ing operated a saw-mill and was extensively 
engaged in the lumber business. Later he 
learned the brick mason's trade, which hf 
worked at for a short time, when he purchase,! 



a farm in Mifflin township. Columbia County. 
Pa. Li 1862 Mr. Harter enlisted in Company 
.\, Pa. Vol. inf., and after ser\'ing nine iiKinths 
was wounded in the battle of Vorktnwn, 
which rendered him unfit for further duty 
and finally resulted in his discharge. He was 
joined in marriage to ALargaret Dietrich and 
they were the parents of the following chil- 
dren : Martin; Jacob; Lucinda; Aaron; 
John; A. Luther; Theodore C. our sul)ject; 
and Delilah, Catherine, Nathan and Sarah, all 
deceased. i\Ir. Harter died at the age of six- 
ty-four years. The mother of our subject died 
aged sixty-seven. 

Dr. Harter received his primary education 
in the public schools, which was later sup- 
plemented by a course in Dickinson's Acad- 
emv and the Bloomsburg State Normal 
School. He then studied medicine under Dr. 
B. F. Gardner, one of Columbia County's 
most noted physicians and surgeons, and then 
entered the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons at Baltimore, Md., graduating from 
that institution in 1880. He then settled in 
Nescopeck, where he practiced a short time, 
and finally selected Bloonisburg as an eligible 
field for his future operations. There he has 
prospered and has become a successful physi- 
cian and a popular member of the community. 
Our subject's office is located on the corner 
of East and Main streets; he makes a specialty 
of throat, heart and lung diseases, and for 
several years was jail physician and surgeon 
for the county. He is also engaged extensive- 
ly in the real estate business, having built 
nineteen tenement houses located on Seventh 
and Eighth streets. He also owns a handsome 
brick block adjoining his office and residence. 

Dr. Harter formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Martha Alice Snyder, a daughter of 
Daniel Snvdcr. who was born in Northamp- 
ton Countv, Pa., and was a son of John Say- 



30 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



cler. Daniel Snyder and Iiis brother were en- 
gaged in farming on tlie old liinncstead and 
later Mr. Snyder learned the tanner's trade. 
In iSio he removed to Columbia t'onnty, 
where he ])urehase(l ten acres of land and en- 
gaged in farming: the house in which he 
lived was an old log cabin and stood where 
our subject's oflice is now. He also built a 
two-.story brick building, which was known as 
the Forks Hotel, on the corner of East and 
Main streets. He owned several farms in Co- 
lumbia Count\ . and was one of the progres- 
sive men of his conununily. He was a mem- 
ber of the state legislature several years. He 
wedded Mary Magdalene Mickley, a daughter 
of Peter Mickley of .\llentown. and a family of 
ten children was the resnlt of the union, name- 
ly : William: Sarah .V. : Mel vina; Polly; Dan- 
iel: .Mary P.: Annie: Matilda; Mary; and 
Martha .Mice, the wife of our subject. 

Dr. Harter is a mend)er and past master 
of Washington Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 265, 
of Bloom.sbnrg; of the R. A. M.; I. O. H.; 
P. O. S. of A.; Sons of \'eterans; and Ji'- 
O. of U. .\. M.. and an e.\-mendjer of the K. 
of M. and L O. O. F. 

It is with plea.sure that we present an ex- 
cellent ])ortrait of Dr. Harter on another page. 
Dr. Harter's resemblance to Gen. U. S. Grant 
is remarkable and has cjuickly been noted 
wherever he has been, particularly by veterans 
who ser\-ed under Grant. 



()HX MULLEN, head of the firm of 
John ^Mullen & Son, manufacturers of 
engines and machinery, at Shamokin, 
Pa., is one of the most substantial, en- 
ter])rising and ])ublic-spirited citizens of that 
city. He is another of the citizens of North- 
umberland Countv who have worked their 



I w'ay up unaided from comparative obscurity. 

i Possessing unbounded energy and being a 
practical machinist. Mr. Mullen has placed 
himself in the first rank of the representative 
men of the county, and is to-day interested in 
several of the largest and principal industries 
and corporations of Shamokin. 

Our .subject was born February 27, 1838, 
in Port Carbon, Schuylkill County. Pa., and 
is a son of Thomas and Mary (Monguey) Mul- 
len, who came from Ire'and to this country in 
183 1 and settled in Port Carbon. Circum- 
stances made it necessary for our subject to 
begin to earn a living early in his youth, and 
at the age of ten years he entered the shops 
of T. H. Winterstein at Port Carbon and 
learned his trade as a machinist, remaining 
in the shop tmtil he was tw enty-five years old. 
During this i)eriod young Mullen supple- 
mented his hard work every day by attending 
night schools and studying at home those 
things which were of the best advantage to 
him in preparing himself to be something be- 
sides an employee. When he reached the age 
of twenty-five years he was an e.xpert machin- 
ist and mechanical engineer, and the al)ility 
which he acquired and which is due to his 
study and his diligence in mastering details 
has since been admirably demonstrated in the 
character of work done l>y the firms of wdiich 
he has been a member, and the large business 
which he has built up. Leaving Mr. Winter- 
stein, Mr. Mullen took an interest in the firm 
of Robert Alli.son & Co., general machinists 
and manufacturers of machinery. Two 
months after he joined the tirm its shops in 
Port Carbon were destroyed by fire, and our 
subject lost the hard-earned .savings which he 
had invested. The sho])s were subsecjuently 
rebuilt by .Mlison & Bannan and Mr. Mullen 
was installed as foreman, holding the position 
until 1870, when he removed to Shamokin, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



31 



fdimed a copartnership with David Huffman, 
and tlie firm of Mullen & IIulTuian leased and 
conducted the Shaniokin Inm Wutks. a Imsi- 
ness which was started in iS^S by the late S. 
Bittenbender. In 1876. on the death of Mr. 
Kuffman. his interest was purchased by his co- 
partners and the business continued by 
Messrs. Mullen and Bittenbender. under the 
firm name of John Mullen & Co. In 1880 Mr. 
Bittenbender retired from the firm, Mr. Mul- 
len buying his interest, and the business was 
continued by Mr. Mullen until 1889, wdien 
he admitted his eldest son, Thomas, the firm 
becoming John Mullen & Son. as it is to-day. 
The junior member of the firm is a practical 
master machinist and a man of marked exec- 
utix'e ability, energy and sound judgment. The 
extensive plant of the firm ctintains the most 
modern machinery and appliances, and in- 
cludes a foundry 50 by 80 feet in dimensions, 
a machine-shop 40 by 100 feet, and a boiler- 
shop 30 by 50 feet, the whole constituting 
what is declared to be the finest plant in 
Northumberland County for the manufacture 
of high-class engines, boilers, general and spe- 
cial machinery. The firm has built many of 
the large stationary engines in use at coal 
mines in Pennsylvania, also many engines for 
mills and factories; also is the sole manufac- 
turer of Allison's cataract steam pump, having 
the largest capacity for heavy mine work. 
This pump is said to be the most perfect in 
action and ease of any in the world when fitted 
with the isochronal valve movement. The 
firm employs upwards of one hundred men in 
its works. 

When the First National Bank of Shanio- 
kin was organized, in 1883, Mr. Mullen was 
one of its charter members, and he has been 
its president since 1889. He is also treasurer 
of the Edison Electric Light Co., which ofiice 
he has held since the organization of the cor- 



poration. He was one of the prime movers 
in forming the coiupau}-, which was the first 
company furnishing incandescent electric 
lights organized outside of New York City. 
It is notable, too, that the church of which 
Mr. Mullen is a faithful and active member, 
St. Edward's Koman Catho'ic Church of Sha- 
niokin, was the first church in the United 
States to be lighted with the incandescent 
light. ( )ur subject is vice-president of the 
Shamokin Gas Co.: a trustee of the Vega 
Silk Co.; treasurer of the Shamokin Arc 
Light Co.; president of the Shamokin Coal 
& Coke Co., which is mining 15,000 tons of 



coal every month, has 150 coke ovens, pro- 
ducing I, ceo tons of coke per month, has 
1 ,350 acres of coal lands under lease and em- 
ploys 3C0 hands: president of the Shamokin 
Powder Co.; a charter member of the Shamo- 
kin Steam Heating Co.; a director in the 
Shamokin Manufacturing Co.; vice-presi- 
dent of the Shaniokin Building & Loan Asso- 
ciation; a stockholder in the West Ward 
Building & Loan Association; and a member 
of the Home Building & Loan Association. 

A veteran of the Rebellion, Mr. Mullen is a 
leading member of Lincoln Post, G. A. R. 
He served three months in the 9th Reg.. Pa.. 
Yo]. Inf. The Post some time ago erected a 
fine monument in Shamokin commemorating 
the deeds of the soldiers and sailors and the 
raising of the fund to erect it, amounting to 
several thousand dollars, was most energeti- 
cally and successfully directed by our subject, 
who was treasurer of the committee which had 
the matter in charge. Our subject is a Repub- 
lican and was a member of the liorough coun- 
cil in 1884 and 1885. 

]\Iiss Mary B. O'Brien, now deceased, of 
Herkimer County, N. Y., was united to Mr. 
Mullen in marriage Septemher 3, 1861. Ten 
children were the fruit of the happy union, as 



32 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



follows: Tlionias J., wlin is liis father's co- 
l)artncr and mainstay in the husiness of which 
our siil)ject is tlie liead; Alary P>., who was the 
wife of Cornelius j. McCarthy of Shenandoah, 
I 'a., and is deceased; \\'illiani A., superintend- 
ent of the Shaniokin Powder Co.; and Nellie 
I'".., Clara G.. Edward F., Charles R., Lettie 
.\.; and Jose])h and John, who died in in- 
fancy. 



AMES McFARLAXl'.. who is familiar 
to e\ery family in Su]li\an County as 
one who has done more to promote the 
jniblic welfare of Laporte and the county at 
large than anv other man. is proprietor of the 
largest general merchandise store in that bor- 
ough and is an extensive lumber merchant, 
owning al)out 6,000 acres of land, nearly all of 
which is coxered with a rich growth of hem- 
lock timber, lie was l)orn in .Arbroath, Scot- 
land, and is a son of the Rev. James and Eliz- 
abeth (.Anderson) McFarlane. 

Rev. James McFarlane emigrated from his 
native land, Scotland, and settled in what was 
known as tlie "English Neighborhood" in 
New Jersey. He was a devout Christian and a 
faithful minister, and during the remainder of 
his life preached in the Presbyterian Church. 
He was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth An- 
derson, who was born at Ratho, near Edin- 
burgh, Scotland, and their union was blessed 
by the birth of the following children: James, 
the subject of this personal history; John, who 
is engaged in the limiber business in New 
York City; Kate, who married H. J. Tappan, 
who also resides in New A'ork City; Eliza- 
beth, deceased; and \\ illiani, a dry goods 
tnercli;mt in TToboken, N. J. 

James McFarlane, after obtaining a good 
education in a private school and attaining his 
m.HJority, became a member of the lirtn Thorn, 



McFarlane & Co., composed of himself, Jona- 
than and William Tliorn, dealers in hides and 
leather, with headquarters at No. 76 Gold 
street. New York City. Being men of ambi- 
tion and energ\- the firm soon grew to be one 
(jf intluence and bought many tracts of land 
in Pennsylvania and erected a number of tan- 
neries, owning at one time as much as 40,000 
acres of vahiable l;uid. The tn-iii purchased 
the Laporte tannery, which at the time was a 
very small concern, at a sherifT's sale and im- 
mediately rebuilt "it, and subsequently added 
to it from time to time until at the present day 
it covers many acres of land and ranks among 
the foremost tanneries of the state. Much of 
the land which the firm owned was covered 
with hemlock forest and our sul)ject moved to 
Laporte in order to superintend its clearin.g. 
and at the same time built many tenement 
houses. He established the Thorndale tan- 
nery, which he operated very successfully for 
fifteen years, established a small general store, 
and in all gave employment to several hun- 
dred men. In 1893 the firm disposed of its 
entire estate to the Union Tanning Comi^any, 
and Air. AIcFarlane, who owned a jjrivate es- 
tate of four hundred acres and a store in La- 
porte, remained in the latter borough and has 
since conducted the store and operated the 
farm, which lie improved to such an extent 
that it is now considered one of the best es- 
tates in that vicinit}-. The store buildin,g was 
a two-story affair, the second floor being use;l 
as a Sabbath School room and the first floor 
as the store, which was ojierated on a small 
scale. L^pon assimiing the management of 
the latter our subject re-stocked it with a new 
and complete line of general merchandise, util- 
izing l)oth floors, and made many improve- 
ments. Business increased with great rapid- 
ity, and the building has since been enlarged 
and he now handles a'most e\'erv article that 



SE\'ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



33 



may be demanded liy his customers, carrying 
a complete line of (lr\- "oods, ready-made 
clothing, groceries, crockery, hardware, 
drugs, hats and caps, l)oots and shoes, oils 
and paints, and many other useful articles. He 
built a saw-mill near the railroad station w Inch 
he operates extensively, as he obtains the tim- 
ber from his land in Forks township. Mr. Mc- 
Farlane is a man of public spirit and he has 
done all within his power to elevate the stand- 
ing of the town of Laporte. While the tan- 
nery was under iiis superintendence he built 
the depot at that point, in which he permitted 
the Roman Catholics to hold services, and 
also allowed it to be used as a school-house 
until the new building was built, the latter 
being erected upon land which he liberally 
donated. In politics our subject is a stanch 
Democrat and has served as councilman and 
superintendent of schools. He has ever per- 
formed the obligations of a dutiful citizen and 
is held in high esteem by a large circle of ac- 
cpiaintances throughout the section. 

Mr. IMcFarlane was joined in hymeneal 
bonds to Augusta L. Lovett, daughter of 
John Lovett, a retired merchant of New York 
City, by whom he is the father of three chil- 
dren : James, Jr., who is associated in busi- 
ness with Austin. Nicholas & Co., of New 
York City; Ada, who resides at home: and 
William, whose sad death at the age of twenty 
years, just prior to the time of his graduation 
fri)in the Steidiens College of Hoboken, re- 
sulted from too close confinement to his 
studies. 




ARRY CLARK WALLIZE, who 
stands foremost among the business 
-men of Upper Augusta township, 
Northumberland County, Pa., now resides on 
a fine farm of one hundred and forty-seven 



acres and is engaged in huckstering. He is a 
man of integrity, and is accorded the esteem 

of all w ith whom he has Ijeen in any way con- 
nected. He is a son of Samuel H. and Re- 
becca (Clark) Wallize. and was born in Lewis 
township, Northumberland Countv, }ulv 14, 
1844. ' " • ' 

John Wallize. the grandfather of our sub- 
ject on the paternal side, was a native of Berks 
County. Pa., and was the first of his familx' 
to settle in Northumberland County, where he 
followed his occupation as a farmer. He and 
his wife Sarah were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Michael, a carpenter by trade: 
Samuel: John, a farmer: Noah, a carpenter 
living in Illinois; Silas; Charles, a stock- 
dealer residing in Decatur. 111. ; Catherine, the 
wife of John Speck; Hamiah. the wife of Sol- 
omon Eshbach; Sarah, the wife of Samuel 
Watson: Abbie, who married John Grey; 
Elizabeth, wife of Rev. George Billman ; 
Mary, the wife of Jerry Raker; and Rebecca, 
who married Joseph Moyers. and resides in 
Grundy County, 111. 

Samuel W'allize. the father of our subject, 
was born in Lewis township, March 12, 18 12, 
and learned the trade of a miller in Lycoming 
County, where he lived for some time. He 
then went to Jersey Shore. Pa., where for four 
years he plied his trade as a miller on his own 
account and then entered upon agricultural 
pursuits in Derby township. Montour County. 
Two years later he mo\ed to Liberty township 
of that county, where he purchased a farm and 
lived from 1847 to 1855, when he returned to 
Lewis township, Northumberland County, to 
care for his parents in their old age and con- 
duct the affairs of the two farms owned by liis 
father. He lived there for a period of twelve 
years and was a large land owner and pros- 
perous farmer. Shortly after the death of 
his jiarents he moved to Watsontown. where 



34 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Ill' li\c(l a retired life. In liis latter days, how- 
e\er. lie li\t'(l with liis son. jnliii I., in i\usli 
tdwnsiiip, and his death occurred January 3u. 
189J. Tliroui;ii()ul his active career he was 
eiiga,i;ed in dr()\in<;- and liuckstering to a cer- 
tain extent, and in a!) lines of business met 
witli success. Religiously lie was a member 
of tlie Lutheran Church. He married Rebecca 
Clark, who was born in Upper Augusta town- 
ship, Noveml)er 3, 181 1, a daughter of John 
Clark, a farmer who came from Scotland and 
located in Upper Augusta township, North- 
umberland County. Mr. Clark was the father 
of the following children : Elizabeth, the wife 
of William Cooner; Alary, the wife of Solo- 
mon .Starner: ^^'illianl: John; Jonathan; 
(ieorge; Wesley; Samuel; Reljccca, the 
mother of our subject; and Margaret. Mr. 
AVallize and liis wife reared the following chil- 
dren ; Ennna. the wife of Martin (lillingerof 
I'Jush townshi]); \\'illiam E., who died young; 
John ].; Sarah E., the wife of Thomas H. 
Kissner; Harry C, subject of this sketch; 
.\nnie, the wife of William Bly; Silas, a clerk 
in the railway shops at Grand Rajiids, Michi- 
gan; and George, a liveryman of \Vatson- 
town. Pa. Mrs. Wallize at the present time 
resides with a daughter in ^^'atsontown. 

Harry Clark \\\'illize was reared on the farm 
and attended the public schools and Warren 
Institute at Warren\ille, III., living at home 
until he was twenty-two years of age, when 
he located at lluntley Station, McHenry 
County, 111. He was em])loyed there as over- 
seer on a dairy-farm at first, but he was sub- 
sequently called upon to act in the capacity 
of superintendent, continuing for a ])eriod of 
one and one half years. He then retm-ned 
home anil counted lumber in a saw-mill for 
a like period, after which he lived with his 
brother in Rusli township for three years. In 
iSji he was married and then engaged in 



farming in Ujiper Augusta township, near his 
present hcmie, for a period of si.\ years, but - 
later conducted a store in I'.ast I'ulTalo \'al- 
ley. Union County, Pa., for two years. He 
then sold out and returned to L'])per .\ugusta 
township, where he engaged in the manufac- 
ture of brick and operated a flagstone (juarry. 
After a period of three years spent at that bus- 
iness he bought his jiresent farm of one hun- 
dred and forty-seven acres, known as the old 
H. G. Kline homestead, and has since lived 
there. He rents a major jjortion of the land, 
Init carries on market gardening himself, mak- 
ing on an average of three trips a week to Sha- 
mokin to dispose of his produce. He has also 
dealt in fertilizers for some years, and his 
success has been great in whatsoever line of 
l)usiness he has undertaken, owing to his nat- 
ural industr\- and general business capacity. 

On A larch \<^. 1S71. Air. Wallize was joined 
in hymeneal bonds with Elizabeth C. Kline, a 
daughter of Harmon G. and Marx- Kline of 
Upper Augusta townshi]). Her father was a 
farmer and a school teacher and is now li\ing" 
in retirement in Snnbury. This union re- 
sulted in the birth of two children, namely; 
.\rthnr !>.. a ])roniising \oung man who is 
now in attendance at Easton College; and 
Bertha Estella, who died at the age of five 
years. Politically our subject has always been 
an unswer\-ing su])porter of the Republican 
]iart\-, and has at \arious times been called 
into ])ublic office. He ser\'ed as auditor of the 
townshi]) at the time East Snnbury was taken 
from the townshi]); school director for six 
years, and was secretar)- of the board during 
the entire period. .\t the ])resent time he is a 
director of the AIntnal hire Insurance Com- 
l^any, ojierating in L'i)i)er and Lower Augus- 
ta, Rockefeller and Alahanoy tow'nships. In 
religious attachments he is a inember of the 
Methodist Eniscojial Church and is \erv act- 




HON. GRANT HF.KKINC;. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



i\'e in its workings. He is a class-leader in the 
Sunday Sciiool and is now acting as superin- 
tendent of that hod}-. He is also an acti\'e 
worker of the Epworth League. He is a 
prominent memher of the Farmers' Alliance. 




ON. GRANT HERRING, who has 
attained much prominence as a practi- 
tioner of law and in politics in the 
town of Bloomshurg, Columbia County, Pa., 
was formerly collector of internal revenue for 
the Twelfth District of Pennsylvania and re- 
cently served as president law judge of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial District. He repre- 
sented the Twenty-fourth Senatorial District 
in the State Senate for a term of four years. 
He is a son of George A. and Mary A. (Hess) 
Herring, and was born at Centerville, now 
known as Limeridge, Columbia County, May 
19, 1862. 

The Herrings were originally a family of 
German peasants, and Christopher Herring, 
his wife, and their eight children were brought 
to this country prior to the Revolutionary 
War as "redeiuptioners," their services being 
sold to pay their passage. Of these children 
two were killed in the battle of Brandywine 
and another, Ludwick, who was the great- 
grandfather of our subject, settled in Orange- 
ville, Columbia County, Pa., in 1800. He was 
a teamster and was engaged in hauling pro- 
duce and goods from Orangeville and Potts- 
ville to Reading before the introduction of the 
railroad system in that section. 

John Herring, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Orangeville, Pa., in 1808 and 
there resided throughout his active life. He 
was a carpenter by occupation and for twenty 
years was foreman of carpentering on the 
Pennsylvania Canal, lietween Nanticoke and 



Sunbury. Politically he was a Jacksonian 
Democrat, casting his first vote for Jackson, 
and adhered to the Democratic party until his 
demise. For ten years he was justice of the 
peace at Orangeville. He moved to Blooms- 
burg in 1889 and during the following years 
lived in retirement, dying in 1893. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Snyder, a sister of the late Sher- 
iff John Snyder of Orangeville, and they had 
eight children, six sons and two daughters. 

George A. Herring, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Orangeville, December 24, 
1833, and obtained his education in the acad- 
emy at that place. At the age of twenty years 
he moved to Bloomsburg and learned the 
trade of a molder, which he followed for a 
period of four years in Bloomsburg, 111., and 
in Michigan. He then returned home and en- 
gaged in carpentering with his father, l)uild- 
ing canalboats at Limeridge, Columbia 
County. He continued carpenter work and 
boat building until 1864, when he purchased a 
colliery, now known as No. 3, at Shenandoah, 
Schuylkill County, Pa., in connection with J. 
W. Williams, Esq., operating it for a few years 
under the firm name of Williams & Herring. 
He then met with a serious accident which 
nearly resulted in his death and which termi- 
nated his connection with the mine. He dis- 
posed of his interest and engaged in merchan- 
dising in Shenandoah up to the year 1876, 
when he sold out. During this period he was 
elected treasurer of Schuylkill County, serving 
from 1870 to 1873. He was one of the organ- 
izers and a director of the Shenandoah Water 
Company; also a director of the Shenandoah 
Valley Bank. In 1876, owing to poor health, 
he sold his store and moved to Bloomsburg, 
purchasing a farm two miles from there and 
also renting a tannery, which lie operated un- 
til 1882. He then disposed of the tannery, but 
has since owned the farm. From 1881 to 1887 



38 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



lie served ns deputy treasurer of ("(iluml)ia 
Count}' and for the follow in;j;' tlu'ee }'ears as 
treasurer. In 1S94 lie was made deputy eol- 
leet(jr of internal revenue for the Twelfth Dis- 
trict of I'ennsxhauia. with office at Scranton. 
under his son Grant, and lie has since held that 
office. Politically Mr. Herring is a firm sup- 
])orter of Democratic principles and has fre- 
(|ucntly ser\ed as delegate to state conven- 
tions from Columbia and Schuxlkill Counties. 
He was a delegate to the con\ention which 
nominated Pattison for governor, and the 
delegation from Columbia County, being the 
last to cast its \-ote, had the distinction of 
naming the Democratic candidate, as the vote 
was \-ery close. Mr. Herring married Mary 
A. Hess, who died in 1893 at tiie age of fifty- 
seven years, and they liecame the parents of 
three children: Grant, the suliject of this bio- 
grai)liic;d record: Ida, who resides with her 
father at IJloomsburg; and John, who died in 
March. 1890, at the age of twenty-two years. 
The latter was graduated from Lafayette Col- 
lege in June, 1889. atid during his Junior vear 
in college he recei\'ed three honors in orator- 
ical contests. I^])on leaving school he began 
the study of law with our sid)jcct and contin- 
ued it until his death. 

Grant Herring attended the common 
schools of Shenandoah until 1876, when he 
entered the liloomsburg State Normal School 
to prepare for college, remaining there until 
1879. He then took a classical course in La- 
fayette College, graduating therefrom in June, 
1883. He is an excellent sjicaker and a llucnt 
writer, and in his Junior year took first hon- 
ors in the oratorical contest. In September, 
1883, he began the study of law with L. R. 
Ikeler, Esq.. afterwards president judge of 
the Twenty-sixth Judicial District of Pennsyl- 
vania. l)eing the immediate jiredecessor of our 
sulijecl in that ol'lice at Bloomsburg. being ad- 



mitted to the bar in l-'ebruary. 1885. lie 
formed a ])artnership with .Mr. Ikeler ou the 
same day under the luin name Ikeler & Her- 
ring, and they continued together for four 
years, until .Mr. Herring was elected to the 
bench. He has since practiced alone, and has 
admission to the County, United States, State 
and District Supreme Courts. He had a good 
corporation jiractice, being solicitor for the 
Farmers' National Bank, attorney for the 
Pliiladel])liia & Reading Railroad, for The 
Jackson 1.K; W'oodin Manufacturing Company 
of Berwick, and a number of other 
prominent firms. He ]30ssesses essentially 
a legal mind and is indefatigalile in 
the prosecution of cases which he under- 
takes, and has met with unusual success. 
Politically he has been <|uite acti\e in the af- 
fairs of the Democratic party, and represented 
the Twenty-fourth Senatorial District of 
Pennsyhania in the State Senate from 1890 to 
1894, being in the extra session called by Gov. 
T^attison in 1893 for the investigation of state 
officers. He was delegate-at-large from 
Pennsybania to the DenK)cratic National 
Con\-ention in iS()_' which chose Cleveland as 
the party candidate, and was also a delegate 
from bis district in 1896 to the Chicago Con- 
\ention. He was apjiointed collector of inter- 
nal revenue for the Twelfth District of Penn- 
s\l\ ania, assuming the duties of office on Feb- 
ruary 3, 1894. He was appointed judge of the 
Twent\-si.\th Judicial District .\ugust 12, 
1898, but was not ;i candidate for election at 
the polls in \'(i\enil n-r. I Ic I'esumed the jiriic- 
tice of his profession in January, 1899. 

On September 4. 1885, Mr. Herring was 
united in marriage to l'"nima Jones of Blooms- 
l)nrg. and thev are the parents of three chil- 
dren, as follows: Donald, born September 25. 
1886, who attends the Bloomsl)urg High 
School; I.;un';i. born December J4. 1887; 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



39 



and Mildred, born September 24, 1893. Our 
subject is a man of strong personality and 
has a large following in Eastern Pennsylvania, 
;md it is with pleasure that we announce that 
his portrait is presented on another page of 
this work. 



M 



U\'AL DICKSON, station agent of 
the D., L. & W. R. R., also agent for 
the United States Express Company 
at Berwick, one of the popular and energetic 
Inisiness men of that town, was born in 
Xorthumberland County, Pa., and is a son of 
Rev. James and Jeanette (Duval) Dickson, 
grandson of Archibald and Elizabeth (W'aite) 
Dickson, and great-grand.son of .\rchibald 
Dickson. 

Archiba'.d Dickson, Sr.. was a native of 
Ke'so, Roxburyshire, Scotland, and during 
his boyhood learned the trade of a shoemaker, 
and. attaining manhood, engaged in the shoe 
business, following that line of business the 
rest of his active days. He was the father of 
four children, namely : Roliert: Jane; Eliza- 
l)eth: and Archibald. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson 
each lived to the age of seventy years. 

.\rchibald Dickson, Jr.. the grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Kelso, Ro.xburyshire, 
Scotland, and from his father he learned the 
trade of a shoemaker and conducted a shoe 
store all his life. He was joined in marriage 
to Elizabeth W'aite, also a nati\e of Kelso, and 
to their union the fol'owing children were 
born: James, the father of our subject ; Mar- 
garet; Robert; Jessie; John; and three who 
died in infancy. ]\Ir. Dickson died at the age 
of fifty years. 

James Dickson, the father of our subject, 
received his intellectual training in the Nor- 
mal School at Glasgow, Scotland, ,-ind in 1843 



went to the West Indies, where he was en- 
gaged in missionar\' work for ten years. In 
1853 Mr. Dickson innnigrated to the United 
States, and located in Philadelphia, and. ha\- 
ing prepared himself for the ministry in the 
meantime, he was ordained to preach on Sep- 
tember 13. 1834. in the Eourth Presbyterian 
Church of that city. While in that city he 
serx-ed as secretar_\- for Albert Burns for sev- 
eral months. Since that time he has preached 
in the following churches: at Camden, N. J., 
in 1854; Rausch Gap and Gold Mine, Pa., in 
1854-55; Birmingham, Pa., in 1854; Mt. Pleas- 
ant, Pa., in 1859; Northumberland, from 
i860 to '67; Berwick. Pa., from 1868 to '79; 
Mclntyre. Pa., 1880; Penndale. Slack's Run 
and Baden, from 1881 to '89; Dayas Mines, in 
1890; and did missionary work to 1892. Thus 
he has spent thirty-eight }ears and six months 
in the pulpit, and his salary has been contin- 
ued at the same rate for the remainder of lis 
lifetime. He is now living in retirement in 
the town of Berwick, Columbia County. Mr. 
Dickson has been twice married. Pie was 
united to his first wife, Mary Carlisle, a daugh- 
ter of Warren Carlisle of Brownville. Pa., June 
9. 1844. and the following children were born 
to them : Elizabeth Agnes, born June 29, 
1847; Mary Carlisle, born February i, 1849, 
who is the wife of C. N. Farrer; Agnes D., 
born July 8, 1850; Warrand C, born January 
7, 1852; and James Irving, born January i, 
1853, and died young. Rev. Mr. Dickson's 
wife died at the age of twenty-six years, and 
he subsequently married Jeanette Duval, a 
daughter of Michael and Eleanor (Hatfield) 
Duval, both natives of Normandy, France. 
Michael Duval served under Napoleon the 
First; he came to the United States and lo- 
cated in Dauphin County, Pa., where he spent 
the rest of his life, passing away at the age of 
sixty-six }-ears. His wife died aged seventy 



40 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



years. Tliey were the ])arciits of tliree chil- 
dren, namely: William Jv; Jeanette; and 
l^noch S. Mr. and Mrs. Dickson reared the 
following children: William Sterling, horn 
August 18, 1858. is paymaster at The Jackson 
& \\'oodin ^Manufacturing Company and mar- 
ried Lillie Bauclicr, wlio here him two chil- 
dren, Conway and David. William S. formed 
a second marriage with Martha Helenrich. 
Alexander Whilden, born December 12, 1859, 
is a commercial traveler, and married Sally 
Freece, now deceased, and five children 
blessed their union, namely: Edna J.; James 
H.; Freece; Pauline; and Alexander W^ Con- 
way, born December 20, 1862, is a preacher 
in the Methodist Church at Marysville, Pa. 
James, born October 7, 1865, wedded Annie 
B. Low, who bore him one child, Myron Low. 
Archibald, born March 19, 1867, is a sten- 
ographer and had charge of the Colunil)ia 
Business College for five years. 

Duval Dickson, the subject of this personal 
history, began business life as a foreman in 
the lumber yards of The Jackson & Woodin 
Manufacturing Company and remained in the 
conijjany's empio}- for three years. In 1885 
he began learning telegraphy and was soon 
appointed operator on the D., L. & W. R. R., 
and was given charge of the station at Ber- 
wick, a position he still holds to the satisfac- 
tion of the public, as well as to his superiors. 
He is also engaged in the wholesale and retail 
coal business, and is L'nited States Express 
agent. He is poi)ular ;uid is held in high es- 
teem by his fellow-citizens, who know him to 
be an honest, straightforward business man. 
Our suliject also owns a farm (if eighty-fi\'e 
acres located at the foot of Berwick Heights, 
which is known as the old S. l'^. Smith i)rop- 
erty. He has made many improvements and 
sjjends manv of his leisure hours working 
upon the farm. 



Mr. Dickson was wedded to Amelia Long, 
a daughter of C. C. Long of Danville, Pa., and 
one child has blessed their home: Clark L., 
born July 20, 1892. Our subject is a member 
of the Methodist Church; and is also a mem- 
ber of the Knights of ]\Ialta. 



T^EV. DAXIEL THO^LVS HCCK- 
I r\ EI-L, deceased, who throughout his 
-*- v_ ^ entire life resided on the old liuck- 
ell homestead near the town of Forksville, 
in Sulli\'an County, was a minister of the Cjos- 
pel and held charges in Forksville and vicinity 
for many years. He was a true Christian in 
every respect and his life was an exemplary 
one. Fie lived for others and his many kind 
acts and charitaljle deeds will long be recalle:l 
by those who knew and loved him. 

Rev. Mr. Huckell was born on the home 
farm in Forks township, Sullivan County. Pa.. 
June 2^. 1833, and was a scmi of John and I'^.l- 
len (Little) Huckell, and a grandson of Thom- 
as Huckell. The latter was a native of Eng- 
land, who came to America, where we first 
find him located in Northumberland County, 
Pa. Jle there became accjuainted with Dr. 
Priestly, a land agent, and also a na- 
tive of England, and of him he purchased for 
one dollar per acre a tract of 300 acres of land 
in Forks township, Sullivan County. Prior 
to coming to this country his vocation was 
that of a merchant and he intended following 
that line of business here, bringing with him 
many things which he found to be utterly use- 
less in the wilderness in which he made his 
home. In that section there were no roads 
and only the Indian trails along the creeks 
afl'ordcd passage to civilization. He chose a 
tract of well covered timberland and also fiat- 
land, on which he built his first house, a ruile 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



41 



affair of logs and in tlie rear of wliere the 
beautiful home now stands. Ahly as- 
sisted hv his wife and children, he cleared a 
good farm, and there they lived haiii)ily, al- 
though they had few neighbors within a radius 
of many miles. This hardy pioneer lived to 
reach the age of seventy years before passing 
into the realms of the unknown. He married 
Sarah Ann Lambert, a native of England, who 
died at the age of seventy-seven years, and 
their children were: Benjamin, who died in 
Eng'and; Sarah, the wife of G. Lyon; Wil- 
liam; Ann, the wife of J. Ball; Catherine, the 
wife of Thomas Raper; John; Mary, wife of 
J. Rogers; and Harriet, who married Wil- 
liam Bowen. 

John Huckell, the father of our subject, was 
b(irn in Iingland and came tu this countrx' 
with his ]iarents. He assisted his father on 
tlie farm and upon his father's cfeath succeeded 
to the ownership thereof, residing upon it un- 
til his tleath. He was past seventy years of 
age when lie died and his wife was near 
eighty. His wife's maiden name was Ellen 
Little, and four children blessed their union : 
Benjamin, who died young; Sarah Ami, the 
wife of J. L. Snyder; Daniel T., the subject 
of this biographical record; and Elizabeth, 
wife of Thomas IMolyneux. 

Daniel Thomas Huckell was reared on the 
family homestead and obtained a good edu- 
cation in tlie district schools, as he was a boy 
of more than ordinary diligence and always 
displayed great fondness for reading and 
study. He determined to enter the ministry 
and teach his fellowmen the word of God and 
thereby aid them in their various walks of life, 
and as a result of this resolve he directed his 
studies toward that end. His father, however, 
persuaded him to remain at home and assist 
liim for a time and this he did, but in 1882 he 
entered upon his first charge and officiated in 



the pulpit until his demise. His pastoral 
work was principally in Forksx'ille and vicin- 
it}-. and he worked faithfully in the interest 
of the church and for the cause of Christianity. 
He continued as ])roprietor of the homestead 
and sold fifty acres which were laid out in 
town lots, on which many fine buildings now 
stand. In 1885 he erected one of the hand- 
somest residences in Forks township and im- 
proved the grounds, setting out fine shrubs 
and trees, and doing what he could to add to 
the general appearance of the place. Rev. Mr. 
Huckell was fond of good horses and always 
drove spirited animals. At one time he was 
drawing wood with a fine span of blacks and 
upon unloading he stood at the front end of 
the wagon. The hi)rses. taking fright at some- 
thing, started u\k and he became tangled in 
the whiffie-tree and was thrown into the air, 
alighting on his back and side. Upon exami- 
nation it was found that three ribs had been 
broken and his death finally resulted, Novem- 
ber 7, 1896. His death was greatly mourned, 
not only by liis loving wife and children, but 
by a large circle of acquaintances throughout 
Sullivan Count}-. 

September 2t,, 1870, Rev. Mr. Huckell was 
united in marriage with Mrs. Catherine j\L 
Fleming, nee Osier, and they had one child. 
Sarah Ann. a teacher and student of Lock- 
haven State Normal School. For more than 
thirty years he served in an official capacity as 
justice of the peace and was also a member 
of the State Board of Agricultural Commis- 
sioners. 

Mrs. Huckell is a daughter of John H. and 
Jane (Myers) Osier, and was born in Sullivan 
County. John H. Osier was reared in Sul.i- 
van County, where his mother settled after 
forming a second union with a Mr. Bryan, her 
first husband having been killed in the \\ ar 
of 1812. After reachinL;- manhood he engaged 



42 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



in iIk' uddlfii niaiuifacturini;' liusincss for a 
])eri(i(l of tliirty-fivo years in Klkland town- 
sliip. There he died at the age of eighty-four 
years and liis wife at the age of seventy-nine. 
'I'lieir childi'cn were as follows: Jeremiah of 
i\lklan(l township: Sarah Jane, deceased; 
Catherine -M.. the widow of our subject; John 
S. of f'^lkland township: Clay M. of Forks 
township: I.ydia: ])a\i(l W. of Lycoming 
County: Henry W'., who tiled young; and 
Ivlwin R. of C.alcstown, Md. Catherine M. 
( )sler fornidl a matrimonial alliance with Dan- 
iel Mcniing. who was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits in l^lkland township, in the Civil 
War he enlisted in Co. D of the heavy artil- 
lerv, and was woimdcd in the battle of the 
Wilderness, June 17, 1864, and his death re- 
sulted on June 20th, three days later. This 
union resulted in the birth of one son, John 
R. Fleming, a |)rosperous woolen manufac- 
turer of Forksville, a record of whose life ap- 
pears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies. 
Mrs. Huckell is now living in the home built 
by her huslxmd and is surrounded by 'scores 
of friends, in whose midst she has lived these 
many years, who hold her in high esteem for 
her many excellent traits of character. She 
was a worthy helpmeet in the good works 
accomplished by her husband, being of a 
symi)athetic and charitable nature, and she 
can never stand by and see others in distress 
without doing her utmost to relieve them. 



t)HX G. KIMBLF. This expert miller 
has been successfully engaged in that 
occupation more or less all his life, and 
is now senior member of the firm of Kimble 
& Jones, manufacturers of White Rose tlour 
and buckwheat tlour, corn-meal, etc. He was 
born in T,oyalsock township, Lycoming 



Countv, Pa., six miles al)o\e the \illage of 
.Montoiu'sville, October 7, 1S45, and is a son 
of Jacob and Mary (.McCiarin) Kimble, 

I'eter Kimble, grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of New Jersey and was of Ger- 
man descent. Fie was a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary W'ar and after independence had been 
gained he moved to Lycoming County, Pa,, 
where he followed his trade as a blacksmith. 
He jjassed from this life at his home in Fair- 
field in 1845, at the advanced age of ninety-six 
years. 

Jacob Kimble, our subject's father, was 
born in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1806. He 
attended the district school a short time and 
spent the major part of his leisure hoiu's work- 
ing in the blacksmith-shop owned by his fath- 
er and soon became quite proficient in that 
trade. Attaining his majority, Peter moved 
to Loyalsock. where he ]nn-sued the occupa- 
tion of a blacksmith for thirty-five years. In 
1857 he purchased a mill in Columbia County, 
Pa., located two miles above Benton, on West 
Creek, now the property of our subject. He 
successfully o])erated that mill until i8f)9. 
when he returned to his native count)' ami 
settled in Hughesville, where he s])ent his re- 
maining days in retirement. His death oc- 
curred in 1884. Religiously he was a meiuber 
of the Christian Church. He was united in 
marriage to Mary AlcClarin, 1)y wliom he 
reared four sons and three daughters, namely ; 
Lucinda, wife of Samuel Wilson of Clinton, 
111,: Peter F., a luerchant residing at Spring- 
field, 111.: Smith W.. a well-known inventor 
residing in New \'oi-k City: Asher, a luiller 
bv trade, wdio died in 1864: Jennie, a resi- 
dent of Hughesville, Pa.; Annie, wife of Ira 
J. Thomas, proprietor of the old Kimble mills 
in Benton township: and John (i., our sub- 
ject. 

iohn (i. Kimble was educated in the public 




^ i 




HON. THOMAS CHALFANT. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



45 



bchools of Benton township and then worked 
with his father, learning the miller's trade, at 
the West Creek Mill. He remained in the em- 
ploy of his father until 1876, when he moved 
to Springfield, 111.; there he continued his 
former occupation for three years and then 
went to Mechanicsburg in the same county 
and engaged in the milling business four 
vears. After spending eight years in Blue 
Earth County, Minnesota, where he followed 
his trade, he returned to ]\Iechanicsl)urg, 111., 
and followed milling two years. In 1894 our 
subject returned to Columbia County and in 
partnership with his lirother-in-law, Ira J. 
Thomas, he purchased the Jonestown Mills. 
Mr. Thomas sold his interest in this property, 
and on January i, 1899, Mr. A. W. Jones was 
admitted into partnership with our subject and 
the_\- are operating under the firm name of 
Kimble & Jones. The mill is a four-story 
frame building, 40 by 50 feet, is operated by 
water-]3o\\er, and has a capacity of 100 bar- 
rels per da\'. The firm's fayorite flour is the 
White Rose, which is made from select winter 
wheat, and commands a read)' sale in the 
market. 

In the spring of 1898 our subject and J. W. 
]\Iathews purchased, under the firm name of 
Kimble & Mathews, the Benton Flouring 
Mills, which they propose to remodel and 
equip with the latest and most improved ma- 
chinery. This mill is also operated Ijy water- 
power. 

Mr. Kimble chose for his life companion 
Stella Jones, a daughter of James N. Jones, 
a descendant of one of the pioneer families 
of the section, and they were united in mar- 
riage December 29, 1869. Two children have 
blessed their home, namely : Lawrence, a 
miller by trade, residing at And^oy, Minne- 
-sota; and Clinton, a miller, living at home. 
Mr. Kind)le casts his \-ote in support of the 
Democratic party. 



^1 ON. THOMAS CHALFANT, the 
■=n ])resent popular postmaster of Dan- 
* ville. Pa., and one of the honored 

and influential citizens of Montour County, 
whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, 
was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1819. 
Our subject traces his ancestral history back 
to Robert Chalfant, a member of the Society 
of Friends, who, with William Penn, emi- 
grated from Stoke Pogis, England, to Amer- 
ica and settled on land at Doe Run, Chester 
County, Pa., which is still in the family name. 
He is also a descendant of John Peden on 
the maternal side, a Scotch-Irish Covenanter, 
who immigrated to the American Continent 
and settled in Pennsylvania in 1732. He was 
one of the founders of the Covenanters 
Church in Philadelphia, which is located on 
Spruce street. 

Hon. Thomas Chalfant was reared and edu- 
cated in the city of Philadelphia, and when 
a young man he learned the trade of a carpen- 
ter ami patternmaker, which occupation he 
followed in his nati\'e city until 1840. He then 
moved to Danville, Pa., and in 1847 went 
South and located in the state of Georgia, 
where he assisted in the erection of a number 
of sugar and cotton mills. Returning to his 
native state he became a resident of Danville, 
where, in partnership with his l)r()ther-in-law. 
Dr. Isaac Hughes, he openetl and conducted 
a drug-store for many years, meeting with the 
greatest of success. On October i, 1853, our 
subject was commissioned postmaster of Dan 
ville and held that position until July 15. 
1861, when he took charge of the Danville 
Intelligencer, one of the leading papers of 
Montour County. June 28, 1863, he enlisted 
in the Union Army for a term of three months 
and was commissioned as captain of Co. D, 
53r(l Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., October 6, 1866, 
Air. Chalfant was elected a member of the 



46 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



State Le_<,nslaturc as a representative of Co- 
lunil)ia and .Mimtoiir Counties, and was re- 
elected to the same otfice in the following 
year. During his latter term he was largely 
instrunienlal in passing the hill appointing 
conunissioners to select a site for the erection 
of a state hospital for the insane, and the se- 
lection of a site in Danville was also due to 
the efforts of our subject. In 1872 Mr. Chal- 
fant was again honored with a seat in the State 
Senate, representing Columbia, IMontour, Ly- 
coming and Sullivan Counties. In 1883 he 
was appointed one of the trustees of the Dan- 
ville State Hospital, which position he still re- 
tains. Mr. Chalfant was elected [iresident of 
the I'ennsvlvania State Editorial .\ssociation 
in 1881 : anil in 1885 he was appointed post- 
master (if l)an\ilk' under Clex-eland's admin- 
istration, and has held that ])Osition to the 
present time, filling it with great credit to 
himself and entire satisfaction of the citizens 
of Danville. 

In 1842 Mr. Chalfant married Eliza 
Hughes, a daughter of Ellis Hughes of Dan- 
ville, and two sons and two daughters blessed 
this union, of whom none survive but Charles, 
e.x-publisher of the Danville Daily Sun, and 
now a ])romincnt attorney of Danville. In 
]i()litics our subject is strongly Democratic 
and endorses the views of his partv conscien- 
liously. Mr. Chalfant is one of the repre- 
sentative men in this section of the state and 
his opinions are sought and valued as those of 
a man of deliberate and tem])erate judgment 
and intelligent thought. 



APT. JAMES BOYD ROBISON, who 
serxcd with great credit as a captain in 
the l^iion .Army during the Civil 
War, is a man who has attained particular 




pruminence as an atlorney-at-!aw in Blooms- 
burg, Columbia County, Pjl He resides in a 
handsome home at l"-s])y, but e\ery day fmds 
him in his office in I'loonisburg looking after 
his extensi\e jjractice. He was born in 
Bloomsburg, January 3. 1838, and is a son of 
William and Betsey (Barton) Robison. 

His great-grandfather was William Robi- 
son. who was born in the North of Ireland 
and was of Scotch- Irish parentage. He was 
unmarried when he came to America, but sub- 
sequently was joined in wedlock with Martha 
Huston, a native of this coinitry. They re- 
sideil in the beginning of the last century in 
the Juniata region, where he was engaged in 
agricultural ])ursuits the remainder of his life. 
In religious attachments he was a strict be- 
lie\er in the Presbyterian faith. He was the 
])rogenitor of the following chiklren : James: 
Hugh; John; .\lexander; David; \\ illiaiu; 
Joseph; Margaret; .\gnes; Elizabeth; Jane; 
and Rebecca. 

-Alexander Robison. grandfather of our sub- 
ject, also took to agricultural ]iursuits at Mc- 
X'eytown, Pa., where he was born and li\ed all 
his life. He married Elizabeth McKee and 
among the children who blessed that union 
was William, the father of our subject. 

W'illiam Robison was born in McA'eytown, 
Pa., January H). 1789, and was reared u]3on 
his father's farm, obtaining bis intellectual ed- 
ucation in the district schools. In 1810 he 
located near Orangeville, Columbia County, 
where he opened and conducted a genera! 
store for four or fi\e years, and then moved 
to Bloomsburg with his brother John. They 
operated a tannery at the corner of Third 
street and Miller's alley with much success 
until 1826. In connection with the tannery 
they built the stone house, corner of Third 
street and Miller's alley. It was first occupied 
b\' William and his wife on their marriage. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



47 



January 30, 1816, and is now the oldest house 
in town. In 1822 W'ilHani Rol^ison was ap- 
l)ointed sheriff of Cohimbia County, serving in 
that capacity for a short time. From 1826 
to 1840 he conducted a first-class hotel at the 
corner of Second and Center streets, where 
Afoyer's drugstore is now located. During 
this period he was also extensively engaged in 
staging, — providing the only transportation 
from Bloomsburg to many points, and he did 
a very large business. In 1840 he rented his 
hotel and became interested in farming, pur- 
chasing a large farm in Hemlock township, 
which is now owned by J. Trout, Esq., and 
continuing there until 1846, when he again 
returned to Bloomsburg and carried on a 
mercantile business in the hotel building for 
eight years. Being past sixty-six years of age, 
in 1855 he retired from active life and lived 
happily until his demise, in 1866. Politically 
he was originally a Democrat and then a Clay 
Whig, lint later l^ecame a Republican, remain- 
ing so the rest of his life. He owned one-thiril 
of the lot on which the court-house stands and 
presented it to the county. In religious views 
he was a Presbyterian. Socially, he was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity. January 
30, 1816, he married Betsey Barton, who was 
born in Bloomsburg, January 30, 1799, and 
was a daughter of Elisha Barton, one of the 
early prominent men of Bloomsburg, and this 
union resulted in the following issue: Alex- 
ander, deceased, who married Mary E. 
Thompson; Jane McKee, wife of Lynd El- 
liott; Anna Maria, wife of Ariovistus Pardee; 
Martha Elizabeth, who married Andrew M. 
Rupert; Harriet, wife of Charles E. Frazer; 
Ellen Boone, wife of Dr. \Mlliam B. Hawkins; 
F.mily A., wife of George B. Alarkle; Isabelle, 
wife of Nathaniel L. Campbell; \\'illiam Bar- 
ton, who died at the age of four years; Mary 
Augusta, deceased; James Bovd. the subject 



of this biographical record; Isaiah B., a sol- 
dier in the Civil War who gave up his life for 
the cause of his country at the battle of Peach 
Tree Creek in 1864; and Hannah Amelia, wife 
of Fred E. Barber. 

James Boyd Robison attended the public 
schools and the Bloomsburg Academy and ap- 
])lied himself with such diligence that he was 
considered c|ualified to teach and received an 
appointment in MitTlin township, Columl)ia 
County, January 10, 1854, just one week after 
his sixteenth birthday. On August 19, of that 
year, he was awarded the first permanent cer- 
tificate issued by Carbon County. He taught 
at Summit Hill for seven months and then 
served for two months on a corps of engineers 
who laid out the Yeddo Branch of the Hazle- 
ton Railroad. In 1855 he entered Lafayette 
College at Easton, Pa., from which he re- 
ceived the degree of A. M. in 1867, but in 
1857 he went to Washington, D. C, where he 
was engaged in writing ])atents for the land 
office for fi\'e months. He held a position as 
bookkeeper at Mauch Chunk, Carbon Coun- 
ty, for three months, when he went to Illi- 
nois, where he engaged in teaching school and 
selling books from 1858 to 1859. In August. 
1859, he began to prepare himself for the legal 
profession, entering the ofiice of Jason T. 
Giebner, a well-know n lawyer of Mercer, Mer- 
cer County, Pa., in the meantime making 
enough as a clerk in the sheriff's office to su])- 
port himself. When the first shot, which 
startled the world, was fired at Fort Sumter 
in 1861, opening the real hostilities between 
the Union Army and the Secessionists, our 
subject was one of the first to oft'er his aid to 
his country. On the day after receiving intel- 
ligence of the first encounter he drew up an 
enlistment paper and headed it with his own 
name. This was the iirst enlistment in Mer- 
cer Count \-. The company was soon organ- 



48 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ized and was at first known as the Mercer 
Rifles, but was mustered in June 17, 1861, as 
Company (i, lotli Keijt. I'a. \'ol. Reserves, 
under Capt. A. J. Warner, for a period of 
tliree years. Mr. Rohison was a sergeant of 
tlie company and remained in tlie ser\-ice until 
lie received a se\'cre wound in the left hand at 
the second battle of Bull Run. when he was 
sent to the hospital, receiving his discharge 
December 18, i86j. In June of the year fol- 
lowing he was elected captain of Company H, 
of the 35th Regiment, at Harrisburg. Pa., 
with which he ser\ed until .\ugnst, 1863. 
when he returned home and thence to Mercer 
and resumed his studies, being admitted to the 
bar in November, 1863. During the follow- 
ing winter he taught school at Sandy Lake, 
Mercer County. ( )n June 1. i8f)4, he went 
to Washington. 1). C, as a clerk under Capt. 
J. T. Giebner in the cc)nnnissary department, 
who was assigned to the 19th .\rniy Corps 
luidcr Gen. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Val- 
le\. It was his misfortune to be captured by 
the Rebels on September 26, and on (Dctober 
1 7 he was cast into Libby Prison, where the 
L'nion men received the treatment commonly 
accorded Union prisoners of war. On Febru- 
ar\- 17, 1865. he secure<l his release and re- 
turned to Mercer, Pa., where he shortly after 
was elected district attorney. Serving only a 
short time, he resigned and nio\e<l to St. Louis, 
Mo., at the beginning of the year, and with 
two others engaged in the real estate business 
until 1867. Owing to the weakness of the 
leading member of the lirni in the use of liq- 
uor, the business was not a success and had 
to be abandoned. Removing to Bloomsburg 
he entered upon the ]iractice of law and was 
subse(|uenth- ai)[iointed I'niled States Com- 
missioner. From 1872 to 1875 he served as 
notary public, and for several years as corpor- 
ation counsel. The greater part of his life he 



has been a Republican, and in 1870 he was 

the party nominee for the Stale Legislature, 
in 1880 he was nominated by the Greenback 
part)- for Congress, receiving a larger vote 
th;ui any other on his ticket, but, of course, 
w as defeated. In 1896 he took sides with the 
Democracy, on the siher issue. In 1881 he 
j)urchascd a farm near I'loomsburg ami con- 
ducted it until 1885: he ])urcliased a fine resi- 
dence ill Espy in 1893 and now resides there, 
but his office and place of business is in 
Bloomsburg. Capt. Rohison is widely known 
throughout his section as a man of great 
worth and integrity, and there are none but 
what hold him in the highest esteem and ac- 
cord him their contidence. 

On (Jctober \(\ 1873, he was joined in 1 lu- 
men's bonds with Mary Jane P)reece, a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Breece, and the following chil- 
dren bless their home; Martha Llizabeth, a 
teacher, a graduate of the Bloomsburg State 
Normal School; James Boyd, a graduate of 
the Bloomsburg State Normal School, now in 
Illinois; Bessie Mary, a graduate of the 
Bloomsburg State Normal School, resides at 
home: Isaiah Barton, died in infancy; \Vil- 
liani Daniel, now attending school; Jennie 
Breece; Emil\-; .\ndrew Horace; an<l lr\ing 
Alexander, all attending school. Socially our 
subject is a member of the following orders: 
Odd Fellows; Patrons of Husbandry; (hand 
.\riny of the Republic; and of Masonic bod- 
ies, being a Knight Templar and a member 
in the Thirty-second Degree, Scottish Rite. 



.\PT. JOHN M. BUCKALEW, a pro- 
gressive business man of Fishing Creek 
townshi]), Columbia County, has 
been extensi\ely engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness for many years and was a caiitain in the 




SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL niSTRICT. 



49 



Ci\il War. He is a son of John M. and Mar- 
tini ( Funston) Buckalcw, and was Imni near 
his present homestead October 17, iSjC). 

Tlie Bvickalew family originated in Scot- 
land, bnt many centuries ago removed to 
France, the native land of Francis Buckalew. 
who immigrated to Long Island. X. Y.. while 
it was still a Dutch province. Later Francis 
moved to South Amboy, Middlesex County. 
N. f., where he became a landowner and re- 
sided the remainder of his days. He was a 
large man. of powerful strength, which has 
ever been a characteristic of the family, our 
subject being six feet tall and weighing con- 
siderablv over two hundred pounds. This 
sturdy old pioneer lived to reach the remark- 
able age of no years before overtaken by the 
Silent Reaper some time between 1752 and 
1755. Samuel Buckalew, his son and the 
great-grandfather of our subject, was born in 
South Amboy. N. J., in 1698. wdiere he lived 
all his life, dying August 4. 1796. at the ripe 
old age of ninety-six years. He was the pro- 
genitor of a family of five children, three 
daughters and two sons, one of whom was 
John, the grandfather of our subject. 

John Buckalew was born in Middlesex 
County, X. J., in 1743, and at an early age 
was united in matrimonial Ixinds to Mary 
MacKinney, a daughter of Mordecai Mac- 
Kinney of Hunterdon County, X. J., and a sis- 
ter of Capt. John MacKinney, who made an 
en\'iable record in the ser\ice during the Rev- 
olutionary War. He had a connnand in the 
9th Regiment of Pennsylvania in the battles 
of Brandywine and Germantown, but subse- 
(juently was transferred to the 3d Regiment, 
and later to the 5th. He was at the surrender 
of Cornwallis and accompanied Gen. Wayne 
on his southern campaign. He served with 
distinction throughout the entire war, after 
which he moved to Kentuck\-, where he re- 



sided until his death. About the year 1775. 
John Buckalew, with his wife's father, move 1 
to Munc\'. l,\comiiig ('ountv. Pa., where they 
inirchased a tract of 300 acres of land and en- 
gaged in its culti\ation. He was associated 
with Capt. P.rady in the war on the borders 
during the Revolution, and was a member of 
the first Committee of Safety in 1776, at the 
outbreak of the Revolutionary War. He was 
a member of the militia and took his turn in 
scouting duty, as his brother-in-law was away 
fighting and it fell to his lot to remain at home 
for the protection of the two families. After 
the war had been in ])rogress for some time 
Indian depredations became so frequent in 
their neighborhood that the families sought 
safety in other localities. Mr. ]\IacKinney 
moved to Harrisburg. Pa., bnt Mr. Buckalew 
moved to Harford County, Md., wdiere he en- 
gaged in the milling business, wdiich was his 
trade formerly. He took a contract from the 
Continental Congress and there still remains 
an unpaid bill for from £700 to £800. After 
the close of the war and in the latter part of 
1785 John Buckalew settled on the Chillis- 
quaque Creek, in Northumberland County, 
where he remained until 1796. when he moved 
to Little Fishing- Creek and erected a grist- 
mill a short distance below Ives Grove. He 
remained there until 1816. when he decided to 
move to a smaller farm on Huntington 
Creek. Fishing Creek township, as he was 
growing old and was in need of a rest and 
his children were nearly all married and had 
left home. As a result he imrchased a farm 
adjoining the one upon which our subject now 
resides and li\'ed there until his death in 1833, 
at the age of ninety-one years. His family 
consisted of the following children : Sarah, 
who married William Collins of Chester 
County, Pa., and moved to the Mississippi 
\'al!ev in Illinois, where she died in 1843; 



60 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Xancy, deceased: Ivaclicl, wlin married Sam- 
uel Earl of ?Tuntiiigton, Luzerne County; 
Rebecca, whose first husband was Daniel 
Woodward, and who also married Rev. Epa- 
jihras W'adswortli, a descendant of Capt. 
W'adsworth of Charter Oak fame; Elizabeth, 
who married Jacob Ogden and resided in Lu- 
zerne County, Pa.; Amos, who was a lumber- 
man and died in Middletown, Pa., at a com- 
paratively early age; John M., the father of 
our subject; and James, from whom Russell 
C. Buckalew of Bloomsburg, wdiose sketch 
also apjjears in this Hook of Biographies, is 
descended. 

John M. Buckalew, father of our subject, 
was l)orn on Cliillis(|uaque Creek, December 
17, 1786, and early in life learned the trade 
of a millwright, which he followed all of his 
life. He was also engaged extensively in lum- 
Ijering and farming and was decidedly suc- 
cessful in all of his Inisiness ventures. He was 
united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Martha 
Funston, who was born near Bethlehem, Pa., 
in 1789, and died in Luzerne County, January 
1, 1840, and their happy union was blessed 
by the birth of nine children, live of whom 
grew to maturity, namely: ^^'illiam, who was 
born November 11, 1816, and died September 
6, 1864, was a millwright by trade, also a sur- 
veyor, and resided in Fishing Creek town- 
ship, Columbia County: Perry, a farmer of 
Fishing Creek township, born January 30, 
1820, and died January 4, 1888; Charles R., 
who was born December 28, 1821, attained 
distinction as an attorne_\-at-law in Blooms- 
burg and was elected to the United States 
Senate; Mahala, who was born September 17, 
1823, married Benjamin C. Hess, and resides 
in iMshing Creek: and Caj)!. John I\L, the 
gentleman whose name heads these lines. 

Capt. John AT. Buckalew attended the pub- 
lic schools of his native town and after attam- 



ing manhood engaged hi the lumbering busi- 
ness, whicii he has always followed, with the 
exception of the time spent in the army dur- 
ing the Ci\il War. He was captain of Com- 
l)any A, 178th Pa. Reg., being mustered into 
service October 30, 1862, and receiving his 
honorable discharge in July, 1863, when his 
term of enlistment expired. Mr. Buckalew is 
a nirui of excellent judgment and has been 
\'ery successfid in his business \entures. Al- 
though he obtained but little education in the 
common school he is a man of scholarly at- 
tainments and has been a life-long student. 
He has an excellent memory and few if any 
are as well posted as he on the early history 
of his section of the county. He is recog- 
nized as an authority upon local historical 
events, and when the legislature authorized 
the compilation and publication of the "His- 
tory of the Frontier Forts of Pennsylvania ' 
Gov. Pattison appointed him as one of the 
corps to do the work, assigning him the terri- 
tory between the North and West Branches of 
the Susiiuehanna River, including Sunhury. 
He set about getting the desired data, and the 
manner in which he wrote his part of the book 
proved entirelv satisfactory to everybody con- 
cerned and gained many favorable comments 
for him. 

In 1861 our subject was united in marriage 
to Miss D. K. Creveling, a daughter of An- 
drew S. Creveling, late a farmer of Fishing 
Creek township. Politically Capt. Buckalew 
is a stanch supporter of the Republican party. 
Socially he is a member of Ent Post No. 250, 
G. A. R., of Bloomsburg; a member of Lodge 
No. 234, L O. O. F., of New Columbus, Pa., 
of which he is past noble grand: W'a.sh- 
ington Lodge No. 265, F. & ".\. M., of 
P)loom,sburg; Bloom.sburg Chapter, No. 218, 
R. A. IL; Mt. Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & 
.^. .M.: Crusade Commanderv, No. 12, K. T. ; 




DK. WILLIAM ]. HANLON. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



5?! 



( )rient ("onclaxc, No. 2, Red Cross of C(jii- 
stanline; and Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S.. 
32d Degree N. M. J., Bloonisburg. Pa. 



M 



R. \\'ILLIAM J. HANLON, a suc- 
cessful and popular physician of 
Mount Carmel, whose portrait is pre- 
sented on the preceding page, is another of 
the residents of Northumberland County who 
have worked their way upward and have won 
success and honor by their perseverance, 
a1:)ility and energy. One of a family of ten 
children, our subject, as an engine-wiper, at 
the age of ten years, began a career which has 
been active and full of variety. He was for a 
time a slate-picker, and graduated from the 
coal breaker to the railroad and worked his 
way upward to the dispatcher's office and, 
while working hard every day, studied medi- 
cine and crowned his labors by graduating 
from one of the leading colleges of this state 
with high honors and taking up the practice 
of the profession he had chosen for his life- 
work. A self-made man in every respect, Dr. 
Hanlon looks back over his earlier struggles 
with much satisfaction and with the kindliest 
remembrances of his father who persistently 
urged him to go to school and to try to edu- 
cate himself so as to be fitted to win success. 
Our subject is a son of Thomas and ]\Iar- 
garet (McClellan) Hanlon and was born at 
Port Carbon, Schuylkill County, Pa., August 
5, 1862. His father was a native of County 
Donegal, Ireland, where he was born in 1829. 
He came to the United States in 1S47 and 
found employment as a driver on the old 
Lehigh Canal. Meeting some friends whom 
he had known theretofore he subsecpiently 
went to work as a laborer, unloading boats at 
Maucli Chunk. Later he secured employ- 



ment as a Ijrakcman on the Lehigh Valley 
Railroad, continuing in that occupation until 
the spring of 1851 when he caught the go"d 
fe\'er and decided to go to California. He got 
as far as Potts\ille, Schuylkill County, Pa., 
where something caused him to abandon his 
proposed journey to the Pacific Coast, and he 
secured wtjrk as a brakeman on the Phila- 
delphia & Reading Rajlroad, on which he 
worked fcjr many years. He was a brakeman 
on the construction train when the line run- 
ning from Pottsville to Frackville, Schuylkill 
County, was built. In 1871 he was given an 
engine, ha\-ing by painstaking and diligent 
application to his duties won promotions 
gradually until he was thoroughly competent 
to run an engine, and was transferred in July. 
1872, to Mahanoy Plane where he hauled coal 
trains imtil 1883. He was then given a regu- 
lar passenger run. handling a train which ran 
lietween ]\Iahanoy Plane and Shenandoah: he 
continued on that line until age made it ad- 
visable that he be given lighter work and he 
was placed in charge of a smaller engir.e which 
he ran until his death, February 20, 1807. ^^^''• 
Hanlon married Margaret McClellan, who 
was born March 29, 1841, and died March j^. 
1897. Their family numbered ten children. 

For a brief period the subject of this review, 
William J. Hanlon, attended public schools at 
Mahanoy Plane and Port Carbon. When ten 
years old he went to work as an engine-wiper, 
then he was water-boy for the railroad track- 
men for a year and a half, and next he picked 
slate in a breaker and did many odd jobs, go- 
ing to school in winter. His father, while ap- 
preciating the boy's energv and desire to be 
earning something, constantly urged William 
to attend school, Init the son kept at work, 
laboring for a time on a gravel train. He 
finallv yielded to his father's solicitations and 
in the fall of 1879 resumed his stutlies, making 



54 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



excellent progress and attaining a high stand- 
ing. He obtained a certificate as a teacher, 
hut lie i^referred to work about the railroad 
and he greased ])ulleys for a month on the 
Mahanoy plane. Next he took a clerkship 
in the station at Mahanoy Plane, working in 
that ca])acity from .April, iSSi, to December, 
1883. In the meantime he had learned tele- 
graph)- and he was transferred to Paxinos, 
where he ojiened a new station for the 
Reading Railroad, remaining there until 
March \J. 1887. when he was sent back to 
Mahanoy Plane as timekeej^er for the same 
road. He subsequently was stationed as a 
clerk at Shamokin Scales on the Philadelphia 
& Reading and as night operator on the Penn- 
syl\'ania Railroad at Morris Junction, near 
Pottsxille. After working at several places 
on the latter road, in ])ecend)er, 1888, our 
subject was promoted to the position of copier 
and operator in the ofifice of the train dis- 
patcher at Suidniry, where he remained until 
.Septeiui)cr, 1892. He had meanwhile taken 
up the stutly of medicine witii Dr. Daniel W. 
Shindel of Sunbury and, resigning his position 
with the railroad, on October i, 1892, he 
matriculated at the Medico-Chirurgical Col- 
lege of Philadel])hia. He pursued his studies 
assiduously and between terms at college 
worked as an operator on the Philadelphia & 
Reading and the Pennsylvania roads, thus 
adding to the fund which he had saved for the 
purpose of going through the college. He 
was graduated I\Iay 10, 1895, and removed to 
Philadelphia, but he soon abandoned the idea 
of practicing in that city owing to the large 
ex])enditures he would have been under while 
acquiring a practice. He located at Port 
Carbon, Schuylkill County, where he prac- 
ticed his profession until April 29, 1896, wdien 
he removed to Moimt Carmel where he now" 
has a large and prolitable general i)racticc. 



On January 3, 1889, our subject was joined 
in wetllock to Mary K. Farley. Their home 
has been brightened by two children : Thomas 
F., born October i(>. 1889; and William A., 
born September 4, 1896. 




|^|jA'. martin L. shindel, a gen- 
tleman of scholarly attainments and 
a devout Christian worker, has 
served faithfully and most efticiently as pastor 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Dan- 
ville since March, 1874. He has devoted his 
time and energy to the cause of Christianity 
with a zeal and a lo\e for his work which could 
not but result in the accomidishment of much 
good to his charge and his fellow citizens, and 
there is not a member of his church who does 
not love and respect him. He is a son of 
Rev. J. P. and Susanna (McCollough) Shin- 
del, and was born in Sunbury. Northumber- 
land County, Pa. 

Rev. J. P. Shindel, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Lebanon County, Pa., and 
when young decided that his life's work lay 
in the ministerial field. He became pastor of 
the Lutheran Church of Sunbury and served 
as such for a period of forty-five years, when 
he retired owing to his advanced age. five 
years prior to his death. He married Susan- 
na McCollough of Lei)anon County and they 
were the parents of a family of e'even child- 
ren, as follows: Jeremiah, a minister: Rev. 
John P.; Jacob J. G.: Solomon; Newton, a 
physician, deceased: Dr. Daniel \\\. deceased; 
Martin L.. our subject: Philip M.: Louise, 
the wife of Gideon Leisem"ing: Maria, the 
wife of Benjamin Hendricks; Susanna, the 
wife of Samuel Gobin, is the mother of Lieut. - 
Gov. J. P. S. Gobin of Pennsylvania. 

.M.irtin L. Shindel recei\cd a good educa- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



55 



tion, graduating from the Susquehanna Uni- 
versity, after which he studied for the ministry 
and was ordained to preach in 1861. His first 
charge was at !\lcAHstcr\illc, I 'a., wlierc he 
remained for three vears, after wliich he had 
tliree congregations at Selinsgrove, Pa., for a 
period of seven years. He then removed to 
nan\-ille, ]\Iontour C()unt\-, as the successor 
to l\e\'. U. Graves as pastor of the EvangeHcal 
Lutheran Church, of wliich he is pastor at 
tlie present time. 

This church was originally a part of St. 
John's German Lutheran Church of Danville, 
which was established in 1820 by Rev. Peter 
Kessler, who for some years was the only 
pastor of that denomination in that section 
of the state. He had charge of all the congre- 
gations in Montour and adjoining counties. 
In 1830 the Lutherans and Iqjiscopalians 
joined in building a house of worship in which 
each was to hold its services, but after a year 
or two dissatisfaction arose, and the Luther- 
ans erected a church of their own in 1844. 
The congregation assumed large pro]iortions 
in a remarkably short time and it became ap- 
parent that the size of the church was insuf- 
ficient to comfortably accommodate all who 
wished to attend. Many of the members 
again became dissatisfied and the English- 
speaking members withdrew, resulting in the 
incorporation of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church on April 29, 1852. They erected a 
handsome brick church on Pine Street in 
1858, a building 45 by ^2 feet in size, with 
a large basement for a Sunday School room, 
and Rev. P. P. Lane was installed as the first 
pastor. He in turn was succeeded by the fol- 
lowing in their respective order: Rev. M. J. 
Stover, Rev. E. A. Sharretts, Rev. George M. 
Rhoads, Rev. U. Graves, and Rev. Martin L. 
Shindel, our subject. The trustees of the 
church at present are: Jacob Eish, William E. 



Case, Charles Pusey, and Charles Werkheiser. 
Adjoining the church, but facing on Mulberry 
street, is the parsonage which is in every way 
in keeping with the church edifice. 

L'uder the successful guidance of its present 
pastor the church has increased in member- 
ship to an enrollment of two hundred, and is 
in good financial condition. Rev. Mr. Shindel 
during his long pastorate and faithful devotion 
to his duty toward God and man, has won a 
high place in the affections of the people. 

Our subject was united in the holy bonds 
of matrimony with Catherine Young, a 
daughter of John Young, and they reared a 
daughter, Elizabeth B., now the wife of Sam- 
uel McCoy, town clerk of Danville, Pa. Mrs. 
Shindel died at the age of fifty-five years, and 
our subject formed a second marital union 
with Mary O. Tillson, a daughter of Darius 
and Mary Tillson of Danville, and they have 
one daughter, Susan Mary, born October 23, 
1889. 



M 



ANIEL McHENRY, for many years 
ItT) I "^ prominent lumberman of Columbia 
and adjoining counties, is now living 
in his fine old residence at Stillwater, Fishing- 
Creek township, Columbia County, Pa., which 
was the first property his grandfather ac- 
quired after coming to this country, and he is 
extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
being a large land owner in that section. He 
is a son of Moses and Martha (Edgar) Mc- 
Henry, and was born at Stillwater, May 15, 
1827. 

Daniel McHenry, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in the North of Ire'and and 
was of Scotch-Irish parentage. Coming to 
America prior to the struggle -for independ- 
ence, he enlisted in the Colonial Army and 
fought, valiantly for bis adopted country. He 



56 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



settled in Colunihia t'nuiUy. I'a., where he 
bought a tract of land where the village ot 
Stillwater is now located and there built a 
log house, the first building erected in the 
county, north of Orangeville. Soon after his 
wife followed him to their new home where 
their nearest neighbor was at Orangeville, 
six miles distant, and their nearest market, 
Northumberland, thirty-four miles distant. 
There they li\ed and labored in happiness, 
and. dying, their ])roperty descended to their 
children, most of it now l)eing owned bv our 
suijject. Daniel joined in wedlock with Mary 
Stevens, a sister of Col. William Stevens, a 
distinguished oi^cer of the War of 1812, and 
a well-known horseman of Steuben County. 
N. v., and their children were: Benjamin, 
who owned a part of the old homestead, fol- 
lowed farming and lumbering and died of 
the yellow fever while going down the Sus- 
quehanna River with a raft: Daniel, a farmer 
and lumberman on the old home estate, who 
was widelv know n as a man of upright char- 
acter and as a dex'out Christian: John, the 
grandfather of John (i. Mcllenry, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere; Criah, who was a 
shoemaker by trade; Moses, the father of our 
subject; Elias, a farmer and lumljerman, who 
was also a colonel in the state militia and a 
\er\- acti\e man; Airs. Martha CoUey; and 
Mrs. Susan Edgar. Daniel McHenry lies 
buried at St. Gabriel's Church in Sugarloaf 
township, and his wife in the Stillwater cem- 
etery. 

Moses McHenry, the father of our subject, 
was born on the old homestead in 1791, and 
he was a farmer and lumber dealer. He ownerl 
about 300 acres of the original famih' estate 
and an acUlitional tract of 200 acres which he 
purchased. He rafted logs down Fishing 
Creek to the Susc|uehanna. thence down to 
tidewater, and did a xerv large business for 



many _\'ears. He was one of the greatest hunt 
ers of his time and to him hunting was not 
only a pleasant pastime but a very profitable 
one. llis brother John was likewise fond of 
tiie sport and in the proper season they took 
jaunts u|) into the mountains, always return- 
ing with many deer, numbering close to one 
hundred, w hich they disposed of at the Phila- 
delphia markets.' Moses was a strong Demo- 
crat in his political affiliations, and was also 
a captain in the state militia. He was a man 
of marked religious character and was the 
founder of the Christian Church at Stillwater, 
where he was the first man baptized by im- 
mersion. He passed to his final rest in 1855. 
He married Martha Edgar, a daughter of 
James Edgar, a record of whose life will be 
found in the biography of T. H. Edgar, Escp, 
and the\' became the ])arents of six sons and 
li\e daughters: Cynthia, deceased, who was 
the wife of Samuel McHenry of Benton town- 
shi]); Isabella, deceased, wife of Tunis Karns; 
l^lias, deceased, who was at one time a farmer, 
but during the latter years of his life was en- 
gaged in the insurance business; Mary, widow^ 
of Samuel Appleman of Stillwater; James, 
deceased, a merchant of Cambra, Luzerne 
Count}', who twice represented that county in 
the State Legislature; John J., a merchant of 
Benton, I'a.; Ellen, deceased, who was the 
w ife of the late John Evans of Madison, Lack- 
awanna County; Daniel, the subject of this 
personal history; Cyrus B.. deceased, a farmer 
who resided near Stillwater, and was at his 
death, in 1890, associate judge of Columljia 
County; Martha, widow of Hiram McHenry, 
a farmer of Fishing Creek township; and Si- 
las, deceased, who was a farmer on the old 
homestead. 

Daniel McHenry was brought ui.) on his 
father's farm and received his education in the 
old "subscription" schools. As a youth he 




X 

K 



< 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



59 



was ainhitious and cneri^ctic and l.tefore lie 
attained his majority he embarked in the mer- 
cantile business as a partner with his brother 
James, and they continued as partners for five 
years, when our subject became sole proprie- 
tor. His etiforts in this direction met with the 
best of success and he conducted the store for 
ten years, when he disposed of it to his 
nei)hew. i\Ioses McHenry, who now runs it. 
In the meantime Mr. McHenry had become 
much interested in the lumjjer Inisiness in Co- 
lumbia and neighboring counties, and upon 
retiring from the mercantile business he de- 
voted his attention mainly to the lumber busi- 
ness. His operations were very extensive and 
he continued with good results until 1890, 
when he retire<l in favor of his son, O. D. Mc- 
Henry, who had been assisting him for sev- 
eral years. Being the owner of large interests 
in land, he has since gi\en his attention to 
their cultivation and he is now an extensi\-e 
agriculturist. Besides owning a part of the 
old home property, in 1856 he purchased a 
tract of fifty-two acres of his uncle. Elias Mc- 
Henry. and also a tract of 200 acres of fine 
bottomland. He owns three good building 
sites in Stillwater and in 1878 he built upon 
the land, which descended from his grand- 
father, a large and commodious residence in 
which he has since resided. Our subject is a 
man of high principles and sterling integrity 
and stands high among the leading citizens 
of the county. 

On November 17. i86j. Mr. McHenry was 
joined in the hoh' bonds of matrimony to 
Mary IMcHenry, a daughter of the late J. D. 
McHenry. a farmer of Fishing Creek town- 
ship, who was a son of Benjamin McHenry, 
and a grandson of the founder of the family 
in this country. This union was l)lessed by 
two children : Orvis Dell, a lumber dealer who 
resides at home; and Ma v. Politicallv our 



subject is an unswerving Democrat antl in 
18(10 was elected county treasurer. He is 
a consistent member of the Christian Church, 
of which he is an elder. 




^jEV. PHILANDER S. BREWSTER, 
M. D., after preparing himself for the 
medical profession in his youth, 
served in the Union Army during the Rebel- 
lion and upon returning home entered the 
ministry, filling the pulpits of many churches 
until 1894, when he decided to follow the pro- 
fession of his first choice. He has a large 
practice in and aljout tlie borough of Ber- 
wick and has been particularly successful in 
the treatment of chronic cases. He is a son 
of Daniel and Roxanna (Beeman) Brewster, 
and was born in W'yalusing township, Brad- 
ford County, Pa., October 4, 1830. 

The Brewsters are of English extraction 
and are probably descendants of Elder Brew- 
ster who came over in the Mayflower. James 
Brewster, the grandfather of our subject, was 
a native of Long Island, N. Y., where he re- 
sided until 1800. when he and his family, 
wdiich consisted of a wife, two sons and a 
daughter, moved to Susquehanna County, 
wiiere he spent the remainder of his days. His 
occupation was that of a shoemaker, which he 
followed with success. He was the progenitor 
of a family of three children, namely : Daniel, 
the father of our subject; Eldad, who was a 
weaver in Susquehanna County and died at a 
comparatively young age; and Abigail, who 
married David Vergason of Bradford County, 
Pa. 

Daniel Brewster was born on Long Island, 
N. Y., but moved to Bradford County, Pa., 
with his parents. Early in life he learned the 
trade of tailor, but soon after moving 



60 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



to Wyalusing township he turned his atten- 
tion to agricuhural pursuits. operating a farm 
of one hundred and twenty-four acres. He 
was a natural student and was well-posted on 
all current topics of the day. He was a Jack- 
son Democrat and served under Gen. Jackson 
during the War of 1812. Althougii not a 
nienii)er of any church he was a strict adherent 
to the Presbyterian faith, lie was united in 
matrimonial bonds to Koxanna Beeman and 
they reared a large family of twelve children, 
all of whom reached maturity before a death 
occurred. Their record is as follows: John, 
deceased, was a farmer and locatetl near Chi- 
cago, 111., at an early day, but spent the latter 
years of his life at New Lisbon, Wis. ; Hannah, 
deceased, married Joseph Lee, a farmer of 
New Albany. Bradford County: Nelson, de- 
ceased, who was an agriculturist in Susque- 
hanna County: I'amelia. deceased, who mar- 
ried Nathan Coleman, a resident of Herrick 
township, Bradford County: Sally, who mar- 
ried William S. Lee of New .\lbany. Bradford 
County; Jane, deceased, who was the wife of 
Samuel WoodrufT of Ohio; Jesse, deceased, 
who was a member of Company D, 141st 
Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and served until the 
winter of 1862, when he died at Falmouth. 
y<\., as a result of exposure: Eldad, who re- 
sides in New York State: Caroline, deceased, 
who was the wife of John Kissle of Bradford 
County; Angeline, who married a Mr. Bee- 
man of New York State; Rev. Philander S.. 
in whom the interest of this .sketch centers: 
and Davis D., deceased, who was a mechanic 
and operated a planing-mill in the mountains 
of California. Daniel Brewster died in Or- 
well township. Bradford County, Pa., aged 
in'nct\-threc vears, two months and twenty- 
three days. 

Rev. Philander S. Brewster was reared on 
his father's farm and after obtaining a good 



common-school education learned the trade of 
a blacksmith, which he followed a short time. 
At the age of twenty-two he began teaching 
school, and, as he proveil an able instructor, 
taught for six terms, during which time he 
also studied medicine. In October, 1862, he 
was drafted into Companv D, 171st Reg., 
Pa. \"ol. Inf. for nine months' service. He 
served in the Army of the Potomac for eleven 
months when he received his discharge and 
upon returning home entered the ministry of 
the Baptist Church, being ordained in Wyalu- 
sing township. His first charge was at Leh- 
man, Luzerne County, where he remained for 
four years; then he held a pastorate for one 
year in Lackawanna County; then at West 
Liljerty Church. Sus(|uehanna County, where 
he remained for a period of seven years. His 
next charges were at Lehman Lake and 
Union Churclies of Luzerne County, where he 
filled the pulpits until 1889 when he was called 
to Berwick and officiated as pastor of the 
Baptist Church for five years. He had been 
jiracticing medicine also during this time, and 
in 1894 he left the ministry to care for his 
rapidly increasing patronage. He is a homeo- 
])athic physician and his success in treating 
chronic diseases has been exceptional, as 
some of his patients, who were pronounced 
incurable by the leading physicians of 
the county were placed upon their feet 
and are still enjoying good health. He is 
kind and sympathetic and wins his way to the 
hearts of his patients, who regard him in the 
light of a friend as well as a physician. 

Our subject was united in the holy bonds 
of wedlock to Nancy M. Hines, .\pril 5. 1852, 
and was bereaved of her companionship by 
death in the same year. In 1854 he formed a 
second matrimonial alliance with Jane V. Mid- 
daugh, a native of Wyalusing township, Brad- 
ford County, who died in 1885. He was sub- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



61 



sequently married to Mrs. Mary (Bouse) But- 
ler, relict of James Butler of \\'yoming 
County. 

We are pleased to announce tlial an ex- 
cellent jiortrait of Rev. Mr. Brewster appears 
(111 a paqc in jiroximitv to this. 




OX. M.\VX.\RD J. PHILLIPS, ex- 
associate judge of Sulli\'an County. 
is a ])rominent and influential citi- 
zen of Davidson townshi]"). where he is en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits on the old fam- 
ily estate. He was horn July 14. 1854. and 
is a son of Griffith and Mary A. ( Rogers) Pliil- 
Hps. 

Our suhject's grandfather. Griffith Phillips, 
was horn in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., in 
1778, and was a son of David Phillips. He 
had three brothers, Daniel. John, and William, 
all of whom moved to IMadison township, Co- 
lumbia County, Pa. Griffith Phillips lived in 
Jerseytown, Columbia Count}-, until twenty- 
one years of age and then mo\ed to Chester 
County, where he learned the trade of a black- 
smith. Subsequently he moved to Danville 
and there followed his trade until 1809, when 
he went to Da\idson township, Sullivan 
County, where he cleared a farm near Hem- 
lock School and followed agricultural pursuits 
and his trade until his death. He married 
Mary Hughes, who was born near Dan\ii;e, 
Pa., and they became the parents of eight chil- 
dren : John, born August 10, 1S12. who lived 
on a farm near Sonestown at his death in Oc- 
tober, 1893, and who married Susan Sones, 
who survives him; Rachael, deceased, born 
April 3, 181 1, married Samuel Livergood, 
who operated a saw-mill in Hughesville and 
who served for three years in the Union Army 
under Maj. Bryan, dying in 1895; Hannah, 



horn December 12, 1814, was the wife of John 
Robbins, deceased, who went west in i860, 
locating in Iowa, — she too is now deceased 
and is survived by a large family of children: 
Evan H., born February 14, 1816, who lived 
on the old Spearman farm in Davidson town- 
ship until he sold out to the Lancaster Lum- 
ber Company, when lie moved to Franklin 
township, Lycoming County, and lived upon 
a farm until his death. — he was the first sheriff 
of Sullivan County, his wife was Mary Jane 
Laird; Thomas, who resides on a part of the 
old Phillips homestead, was born November 
30, 181 7, and married Hannah Low, who died 
in 1889; Mary, deceased, ])orn 'Slay 15, 1819, 
was the wife of Alexander Colley, a farmer of 
Columbia County: Griffith, the father of our 
subject; and David, deceased, liorn May 19, 
1822, married Elizabeth Ta^dor, who li\'es on 
the old Phillips homestead in Daxidson 
township. 

Griffith Phillips, the father of the gentleman 
whose name heads tliis sketch, was l)orn in 
Davidson township, December 6, 1820,' and 
was reared to agricultural pursuits. He lo- 
cated upon the farm which our subject now 
possesses in 1863. but prior to that was en- 
gaged in the lumbering business. While liv- 
ing upon that farm he became convinced that 
there must be copper ore in the land and 
throughout his life-time searched in vain for 
it. As a farmer he was very succes.sfu!. Po- 
litically he was a Democrat and served as a 
commissioner of Sullivan Count)- and also as 
deputy sheriff under Evan H. Phillips, Esq., 
the first sherifif of the county. He was serving 
as commissioner when the first court-house of 
Sullivan County was under construction at 
Laporte. He was united in marriage with 
Mary A. Rogers, a_ native of Kingston town- 
ship, Luzerne County, and they were the par- 
ents of se\-en children: David Wheeler, lidni 



62 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



April 13, 1853, died in infancy; Maynard Jo- 
siali: Ilugli G.. a farmer of Wolf township, 
I.ycoming Count}-, horn Octohcr i, 1856, 
who married Sarah Kahler; Willard 1.. horn 
May 30, 1859, died September 13. 1863: Flor- 
ence H., born April 11, 1861, is the wife of 
U'illiam J. Yocum of Benton township. Co- 
lumbia County: McClellan A.. Ijorn February 
27, 1864. married Mattie L. Taylor. May 
13. 1886. and she died December i. 1886, — he 
now resides with our subject: and Hester A., 
born September 3. 1866. died November 
4. 1886. Mrs. Philli]is was sickly for many 
years and died of consumption. March 3. 
1885. For several years jjrior to his death, 
November 4, 1886. Grifitith Philli])s was an in- 
valid and resided with his son Maynard. where 
he received such treatment as only a losim;' 
son can bestow upon a worthy father. 

Maynard J. Phillips, being the eldest son, 
was at the age of twelve years obliged to leave 
school and assist his father upon the farm. 
When the father was stricken with palsy the 
great responsibility of looking after the family 
affairs was shifted to Maynard"s young 
shouklcrs, but he did not falter under the 
weight. He set about his work with a grim 
determination that he would succeed and be a 
comfort to his parents in their declining years. 
His life was one of contintious labor on the 
farm and in the woods, but better times were 
in store for him. /Mthough deprived of the 
privilege of attending the schools, he ob- 
tained an excellent i)ractical education bv pri- 
vate study and by contact with men of educa- 
tional attainment whom he met in the busi- 
ness world. When quite young he sold school 
books and school supplies, which vocation he 
made a success that he has e\cry reason to feel 
proud of, and at the present time, he is the 
representative of the American School Book 
Company of New York City. He now owns 



123 acres of the old homestead, all well-im- 
])roved land, and carries on general farming. 
On December 20, 1887, Mr. Phillips mar- 
ried Mary C. Pennington, who was born at 
Fairmont Springs, Luzerne County, Pa., 
March 7. T862, and is a daughter of James 
N. and Elizabeth (Laubach) Pennington. Mr. 
Pennington is a farmer of Fairmont Springs; 
his wife is now deceased. Our subject and 
his wife ha\e three children: Murl G., born 
July 2^,. 1889: Mary V.. l)orn February 11. 
1892; and Helen B., born July 23. 1895. Mr. 
Phillips always has been a firm supporter of 
the Democratic party, and in December, 1891, 
he was elected associate judge of Sullivan 
County, serving faithfully in that capacity 
until the e.xpiratiiin of his term; he has sev- 
eral times been chosen congressional and sen- 
atorial conferee from Sullivan County; he 
was elected school director in Davidson town- 
ship for three consecutive terms, also has been 
elected delegate by the school directors of 
Sullivan County to the state convention of 
school directors, held at Ilarrisburg, Pa., and 
is at the present time secretary' of the school 
ijoard. Our subject is a gentleman of rare 
mental power, pleasant and honoraljle in his 
dealings, and is deser\-edly popular with all. 
During his eventful ]3ublic career he has 
showm a spirit of enterprise and determination 
which is worthy of emulation, while his suc- 
cess is a credit and honor to both himself and 
his legion of friends. Socially, Mr. Phillips 
is a member of Sonestown Lodge, No. 221, 
L (). O. F.; the Grand Lodge. L O. O. F.; 
Washington Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. of 
Bloomsbtirg: and a member of the Farmer's 
.\lliance. Religiously he and his worthy wife 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of Muncy X'alley and he has been 
superintendent of the Sunday School near his 
home for several years. .\ few years ago Mr, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



63 



riiillips presented a lot to the congregation 
on wiiicli to erect a clnirch and contriliuted 
lil)erall\' to tlie Imilding fund and toward fur- 
nishing the clun'ch. 




'pJONHAM R. GEARHART, Jr., who 
I ^iTN liad been casliier of tlie First National 
Bank of Danville, Pa., until March, 
1870, when he became president, is one of the 
most prominent and highh-esteemed citizens 
of that town. He was born at Turbotville, 
Xortlnunberland County, Pa., May 20, 1843, 
and is a son of Bonham R. and Elizabeth 
(Boyd) Gearhart. 

Our subject's great-grandfather was Jacob 
Gearhart, a native of Strangsberg, Germany, 
who came to this country prior to the Revo- 
lutionary War; he located in the state of New 
Jersey, in what is now Hunterdon County. 
He served throughout the Re\'olutionarv War 
and was captain in a New Jersey regiment. 
After independence had been gained he moved 
to Northumberland County, Pa., where he 
had friends. With his family he made his way 
over the unculti\atcd land b_\' means of horses 
and wagons; at an old log house wdiich had 
been deserted they stopped to rest, and, find- 
ing the land very fertile and well adapted for 
farming, decided to makg a settlement there. 
Mr. Gearhart purchased a large tract of the 
land, which he cleared with the aid of his sons, 
and erected one of the first frame houses in the 
county, the one in w liich William F. Gearhart 
now resides; the house is still in good condi- 
tion and is one of the old landmarks. The 
great-grandfather ])urchased land from time 
to time and was soon the owner of 500 acres, 
of whicii he cleared 200 acres and set out a 
large orchard, which was destroyed by a hail- 
storm in 184(1. He married Catherine Kline 



;ind they were the parents of the following 
children: John, born in 1758; Jacob, born in 
1763 and died in f778; Herman, born in 
1765, died in 1770; William died in 1S54, at 
the age of seventy-eight years; (jcorge; 
Tunis; Charles, born in 1783 and died in 
1863; Isaac; Catherine; Mary; and Betsey. 

George Gearhart, our subject's grandfather, 
was born in what is now Hunterdon Countv. 
N. J., and removed to Northumberland Coun- 
ty with his parents. When George attained 
his majorit}-, his father gave him a large tract 
of land, which was situated one mile south of 
the bridge that crosses the Suscjuehanna. He 
erected many buildings upon the land and 
successfully followed the occupation of a 
farmer all his life; he also purchased land at 
different times and at his death he was the 
owner of some 300 or 400 acres along the 
banks of the Susquehanna. His farm is now 
a portion of South Danville, and has been laid 
out in town lots. His wife was Achsah ivun- 
yon, who bore him four children, nameh- : 
Bonham R., our subject's father; Benjamin; 
Eliza; and Rebecca. Mr. Gearhart, upon the 
death of his first wife, married Phoebe Lott, 
and this union resulted in the l;)irth of three 
children, as follows: .\chsah; George; and 
Herman. 

Bonham R. Gearhart, Sr., father of om^ sub- 
ject, was born in Rush township, Northum- 
berland County, Pa., was educated in the dis- 
trict school, and, entering Jefferson Medical 
College was graduated before he attained his 
majority. He pursued his chosen profession 
at Sunbury, Washingtonville, later at Turbot- 
ville, and then mox'ed to Dan\-ille, Montour 
County, Pa. Pie was considered one of the 
foremost physicians and surgeons of the 
county, and built up a large and lucrative 
practice. He passed from this life at the age 
of fort\-two vears, the cause of his death be- 



64 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ing an attack of pneumonia. He was wedded 
to Elizabetli Boyd, a daugliter of William 
Boyd, and the following children blessed their 
happy home: Bonham R., Jr., our subject; 
Jasper B.; James B.; Alexander M.; and M. 
(irier. Onr subject's mother still resides in 
Danxille and has passed her eighty-fourth 
year. 

Our subject attended the public school, and 
during his boyhood days was a clerk in a store 
at Wrightsville. York County, Pa. After 
ser\ing five years as clerk he learned teleg- 
raphy, in which he soon became quite profi- 
cient, and was employed as operator and 
agent at Catawissa, Pa., serving in that posi- 
tion until 1865. In October, 1865, he became 
teller of the First National Bank of Danville, 
remaining in that position but a short time, 
when he was promoted to cashier. The bank 
is one of the most substantial financial insti- 
tutions in this section of the state and was 
established January 25, 1864, when a charter 
was obtained from the Government by the 
first board of directors, who were as follows : 
Samuel Yorks; George F. Geisinger; C. Lau- 
bach; Charles Fenstermacher; William 
Yorks; Fred Piper; and G. H. Fowler. At 
their first meeting Samuel Yorks was chosen 
president and W. A. M. Grier cashier. The 
bank is located in what is known as the A. F. 
I^ussell store, on the corner of Mill and Bloom 
streets. The second floor is used as a dwell- 
ing and the first floor consists of the bank 
and offices, which are large and well furnished. 
The vault is quite safe against burglary, the 
sides being twenty-four inches in thickness; 
it is made of solid steel railroad rails bolted 
together, two inches of steel plate, and the 
inner space is filled in with cement and emery 
from top to bottom; the door weighs 8,000 
pounds, and has one of the best locks made, 
a N'ale automatic time-lock. The present offi- 



cers of this bank are: B. R. Gearhart, our 
subject, president; S. A. Yorks, cashier; and 
William L. McClure, assistant cashier. 

Mr. Gearhart was married in 1870 to ]\Iary 
Louise Yorks, a daughter of Samuel and Mary 
Ann (West) Yorks, and this union was blessed 
by the birth of two children, namely: Anna 
M.: and Robert Y., a student. Anna M. is 
the wife of M. Grier Youngman, cashier of the 
Danville National Bank of Danville, who is a 
son of John C. Youngman, and they arc the 
parents of two children, ^lary lionise and 
John Bonham. Mr. Gearhart is a strong Re- 
publican ill politics. lie has serxed in the city 
council, as treasurer of the State Hospital t)f 
Danville; and treasurer of The Thomas Beav- 
er Free Library. He is a trustee of the Grove 
Presbyterian Church and served as treasurer 
of the building committee when the church 
was erected. Socially he is a member of the 
Masonic fraternity and is a Knight Templar. 
In the Civil War he enlisted in Company D. 
under Col. Ramsey, in 1863, and served a full 
term of enlistment. Onr subject owns a hand- 
some home on Bloom street. 



t^ROF. MOSES R. BLACK, principal 
of the graded schools of Forksville, 
Sullivan County, Pa., is a man of rec- 
ognized ability as a teacher and has been one 
of the leading business men of the borough 
for a number of years. He is a son of James 
and Mary J. (Rogers) Black, and was born 
in Forksville, August 6, 1858. His grand- 
father was James Black, who was the progen- 
itor of two sons: James, the father of our sub- 
ject; and Henry F., who resides in the state 
of Illinois. 

James Black was born October 26, 1S20, 
and carlv in life learned the trade of a miller. 




HON'. C. R. SAXIDGE. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



67 



He built the first grist-mill at Forksville in 
1856 and operated it until his death, having a 
very large patronage, as it was the only mill 
in that section for many years. He was called 
to his final rest in 1862. ;Mr. Black was orig- 
inally a Whig in politics, but later became a 
Republican. Rehgiously he was a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was 
united in marriage three times, his first union 
being with Margaret Bryan, by whom he had 
five children; Henry F. ; Martha; Julia; 
Catherine; and James. He was again mar- 
ried to Salome Hoppis, but their union was 
without issue. He formed a third alliance with 
Mary J. Rogers and their children were: 
Moses R., our subject; Jennie, wife of J. D. 
Seely of Osceola, Pa.; Delia, wife of F. W. 
Peale of Eagles Mere, Pa.; and I'reddie, who 
died young. Our subject's mother now re- 
sides at Nelson, Pa. 

Moses R. Black obtained his intellectual 
training by attending the public schools of 
Elkland, Tioga County, Pa., the Genesee 
Wesleyan Academy, and the Normal School 
of Mansfield. At the age of nineteen years 
he began teaching in the district schools and 
in 1886 he was elected superintendent of 
schools of Sullivan County. His work in that 
capacity was of the highest order and he was 
re-elected in 1887. He subsequent!}' pur- 
chased a furniture and undertaking business 
and planing mill at Forksville and operated it 
with good results until 1898, displaying excel- 
lent general business qualifications. In i8g8 
he disposed of his plant to Messrs. Wright & 
Haight and accepted the position as principal 
of the graded schools of Forksville, one for 
which he is eminently qualified. These schools 
were established in 1887, employ two teachers, 
and are considered the best in that section 
of the county. Prof. Black stands high in 
public esteem and has the hearty co-operation 



of the school board and the citizens in his 
work. 

Prof. Black was joined in marriage with 
Ada Shaffer, a daughter of Jesse Shaffer of 
Forksville. and they have two children : James, 
born in March, 1896; and Beatrice, born June 
I. 1897. 

Our subject is a Republican and has served 
three terms in the common council, one term 
as school director, and was again called upon 
to accept the latter office, but declined. Fra- 
ternally, he is a Mason; past grandmaster of 
the Odd Fellows lodge; a member of the 
Patriotic Order Sons of America; and of the 
Grange. In religious attachments he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Black resides in one of the finest homes 
in the borough. 




aril ON. C. R. SAVIDGE, judge of the 
Eighth Judicial District of Pennsyl- 
vania, residing in Sunbury, North- 
umberland County, is an indefatigable worker 
and possesses a legal turn of mind which, 
coupled with superior executive ability, made 
him a successful attorney and now make him 
an excellent judge. He carries with him into 
the chamber of justice the energy and business 
push so characteristic of the man, which en- 
able him to dispose of as much legal business, 
perhaps, as any judge in the state, in the same 
length of time. He is pleasant and affable, a 
good conversationalist, was an able advocate, 
and is now a distinguished jurist. 

Judge Savidge was born January 19, 185 1. 
in Trevorton, Northumberland County, Pa., 
and is a son of Samuel K. and Ellen (Camp- 
bell) Savidge. He is of Scotch-Irish descent. 

Samuel K. Savidge, father of our subject, 
was born in Rush township, Northumberland 



68 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Cminty, and was a mason and 1)ricklayer by 
trade. He was united in maiTia£.;"e willi Rllen 
Camjjbell and to tliem were born tbe follow- 
ing cbildren: C. R., subject of tbis sketcb; 
Harmon C. manager of Whitmer & Sons' 
lumber business in West Virginia: and Lizzie 
A., wife of Willard Robinson of West Wv- 
ginia. Our subject's fatlier and motlier were 
both devout members of tbe Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, and died, respectively, in 1853 
and 1882. 

Judge Savidge obtained his early education 
in the ])ul)lic schools and by self tuition, hav- 
ing from early childhood evinced a fondness 
for books and study. At the age of fourteen 
years he began teaching in the district schools 
of Xorthumbcrland County and taught for 
four years. In 1867-70 he taught in tbe pub- 
lic schools of Danville after which he entered 
college at Princeton, N. J., graduating there- 
from in 1874. He was a classmate of Henry 
]\I. Hinckley and James Scarlett, well known 
citizens of Riverside and Danville, respective- 
ly. Subsequently, in 1874, he read law with 
Hon. S. P. Wolverton of Sunbury, and in 
February, 1877, he was admitted to the bar 
of Northumberland County. Immediately 
after his admission, he activelv and energeti- 
callv entered u|)(in tbe jM'actice of his profes- 
sion and soon took a high rank as an able and 
thorough-going lawyer. 

In his political afTiliations our subject is a 
Democrat and in i88o was elected liy that 
parly to the oftice of district attorney by a 
majority of 1,066 votes. In 1891 he was 
elected judge of the Eighth Judicial District 
and is now I'llling that oftice \crv acce|)tably 
to the ])eople. 

December 31, T875, Judge Sa\'idge was 
united in marriage with Eouise Essick of 
Montour Comity. Pa., and to this union seven 
children were born: liarrv W ., a graduate of 



Dickinson Law School at Carlisle, Pa.; Albert 
C: Ral])h W. E.; Preston M.: Louise: Lucile: 
and one. deceased. The Judge's famil_\- are wil- 
ling workers in the Baptist faith. Socially 
the Judge is a \alued member of the blue 
lodge, F. & A. M., the Conclave: and 
Knights of the Golden Eagle. A ])ortrait of 
the subject of tbis sketch is shown on a pre- 
ceding page. 




LLIA.M E. MILLER, one of 
Forksville's most enterprising busi- 
ness-men, conducts a blacksmith shoj) at the 
end cf Bridge street and is proprietor of tbe 
old stone grist-mill, which was built by Mr. 
Black many years ago. He is a son of 
Francis and Elizabeth (Davidson) Miller, and 
was born in Monroe township, Bradford 
County, Pa., December 12, 1855. 

Francis Miller, father of our subject, was 
l)orn in Germany and after learning the trade 
of a blacksmith, he came to .\merica, locating 
in Towanda, Pa., where he worked at his trade 
for several years. Removing to Forksville 
he purchased a blacksmith shop and remained 
in that business about thirty years. He then 
bought a farm now known as tbe Burgess 
farm, upon which he built a new house, barns, 
and made other improvements, and became 
one of the leading agriculturists of that sec- 
tion. He was without means when be started 
out on his own account, but through his 
industry he accumulated a comfortable prop- 
erty. He died in 1889, aged sixty-one years, 
but his wife survixes him, residing at Overton, 
Pa. They l)ecame tbe parents of seven child- 
ren, namely: Orvilla Jane, tbe wife of W. H. 
Denorl of Waverly. N. Y.; William E., the 
sul)ject of this record: Charles, a resident of 
IIovt\ille, who married Ella Brewer: Moses 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



69 



C. wlio married Kate Cadden and resides in 
Ringdale; Mary, the wife of G. W. Collins of 
\\'a\erl\-, X. V.: John of Elkland township, 
who married Alarion White: and TIenr\- of 
Forksville. who married Xellie \\ arren. Air. 
Miller was a Democrat and after moving to 
Forksville served in the town council and held 
minor township offices. 

William E. Miller attended the public 
schools after which he learned the trade of a 
blacksmith with his father and has followed it 
ever since, with the exception of a period of 
four years, when he took the farm and con- 
ducted it luitil it was sold. He was for sev- 
eral years located at the Laporte tannerv, hav- 
ing charge of the blacksmithing department, 
and later moved to Forksville, where he l)uilt 
his present shop and has since been engaged 
in business. He is a skilled mechanic and be- 
sides the various branches of his business in 
which he is engaged he is the only dealer in 
agricultural implements, wagons, etc.. in the 
borough, and has a large trade. In 1897 he 
purchased of O. W. Mather the old grist-mill 
and carries on a large business. He is a thor- 
ough l)usiness man. of shrewcl and unerring 
judgment, and has been \ery successful. He 
resides in the old Brown residence which he 
bought and he is one of the hustling men of 
the borough. 

Our subject was united in marriage with 
.'\lma Bird, a daughter of George C. Bird, 
and they are the parents of three children : 
Jennie May; George Francis; and Clarence 
Lamont. Politically he is a Republican and 
has served as memlier of the town council, 
and school director, and is treasurer of the 
borough. In religious belief he and his family 
are adherents of the Methodist Church. He 
is a member and past master of Sullivan 
Lodge. No. 522, I. O. O. F.; and a member 
of the Patriotic Order Sons of .\iuerica. 



C^^RLES C. LEADER, proprietor of 
the finest dry goods business in Sha- 
mokin. Pa., conducted in one of the 
largest and handsomest stores in the state of 
Pennsvlvania, is a son of Edward and Kathar- 
ine (Snyder) Leader, and was born in A'sace 
township. Berks County, Pa., July 13, 1843. 
Our subject's grandfather was a native of 
Montgomery County. Pa., as was his father, 
Edward, but both died in Berks County- The 
father of our subject was a farmer by occupa- 
tion. 

Our subject was reared on his father's farm 
and received such education as the neighbor- 
ing schools offered. When fifteen years of 
age he went to Schuylkill County, where he 
attended a school for a year, and then took a 
position as a clerk in the general store of A. J. 
Medlar, in Schuylkill ILaven, Pa., where he 
was employed three years. He then removed 
to Pottsville, Pa., with the same employer, 
where he was clerk in a store for three years. 
His six years' experience as a clerk gave him 
an excellent insight into the general-store lous- 
iness, and in 1865 he returned to Schuylkill 
Haven, where he o])ened a store, doing a gen- 
eral business,- which he conducted with 
marked success for ten years. Never content 
to remain in a small town, however success- 
ful he might be, and seeking greater and more 
promising opportunities for his abilities, Mr. 
Leader migrated to Shamokin in 1875 and 
for three years conducted a general store, 
being the head of the firm of Leader, Muir & 
Company, which did business at Liberty and 
Independence streets. The firm was dissolved 
by mutual consent in 1878 and Mr. Leader 
again went into business on his own account, 
opening a dry goods store at Shamokin and 
Sunbury streets, which he conducted for two 
years. In 1880 the business was remoxed to 
Independence street and in the following year 



70 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Mr. Leader formed a union with R. G. Eisen- 
hart, the firm name 1)ein_ij Leader & Eisen- 
Iiart. and a clothing' denartnient was added 
to the .store. This jiartnership successfully 
continued for three years, when Mr. Leader 
bouf^ht Mr. Eisenhart's interest and associ- 
ated his brother. iMlward M. Leader, with 
him, under the firm name. Leader & Brother. 
The store now occupied by our subject was 
built in 1S89, when the business was divided 
by the brothers, our subject retaining the 
dry goods branch in the new building, and 
Edward continuing the clothing business at 
the old stand in Independence street. One of 
the largest, handsomest and most commodi- 
ous to be found in this state, the store now 
owned by our subject is regarded as one of 
the most attractive as well as important mer- 
cantile features of Shamokin. The store has 
a frontage of 48 feet and a depth of 125 feet 
and is fitted with every modern appliance 
which is calculated to make trading pleasant 
for the customer and to expedite business. 
In addition to the store on the ground floor 
a basement and the two ui)per floors are util- 
ized to acconunodate the large stock of the 
newest and most desirable dry goods, etc., 
which is constantly kept on hand. The store 
is ec|ui])ped with several electric elevators, by 
which the patrons of Mr. Leader are quick- 
ly and comfortably conveyed to the various 
departments on the upper floors; also with the 
cable cash-carrier sxstem. 

in addition to his store and to his numer- 
ous other commercial and manufacturing in- 
trests in Sh.'unokin, Mr. Leader, in conjunc- 
tion with his son, Edward R., conducts a 
dry goods store in Mount Carmel, Pa., wdiich, 
practically, is a counterpart of the Shamokin 
store in size and in the (juality of goods and 
the extensive 1)usiness which is done. 

The large and successful business which Mr. 



Leader has built up forms the most substan- 
tial monument to his energy, his remarkable 

talent for correctly judging the needs of peo- 
ple, and to his equally remarkable executive 
ability and tact in organizing his forces and in 
catering to his fellow-citizens. Industry, 
hard work, constant labor, added to great 
natural ability and energy, account for the 
success of our subject, who to-day is recog- 
nized among those who know him best as a 
man of great personal enterprise and al^ility 
and of cominendable and most helpful public 
si)irit. Mr. Leader has connected himself in 
\arious capacities \\ith several of the more 
important corporations of Shamokin and to 
his wise counsel and energetic management 
is due much of the success they have attained. 
He is president of the Guarantee Trust & 
Safe Deposit Company, which was organized 
and began business in March, 1896, and of 
w Inch he has been president since its organiza- 
tion: a stockholder and president of the Sha- 
mokin Banking Company; a director in the 
Shamokin Illuminating Company; a director 
in the Shamokin .Vrc Light Compau)-; a direc- 
tor in the Anthracite Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany, of Shamokin; and a director in the Sha- 
mokin Manufacturing Company. 

Our subject was one of the loyal rennsyl- 
v-anians who (juickly responded when the in- 
vasion of this state was threatened by the 
rebels, and he served in an emergency regi- 
ment of volunteers at Chambersburg and also 
at Gettysburg. Mr. Leader is an elder in St. 
John's Reformed Church. In politics Mr. 
Leader formerly was a Democrat, but he is 
now an independent voter, with strong Pro- 
hibitioii tendencies. 

In May, 1867, Mr. Leader was united in 
marriage to Amanda R., daughter of Benja- 
min Ketner, of Schuylkill PTaven, Pa., and to 
them have been born i'we. children : Ennna 



t 




EMANUEL G. SEILER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



73 



May, Charles F., William C, Harry K., and 
Edw ard R. 

The brother of our suljjcct, lulward M. 
Leader, was bom in Berks County, Pa., in 
June, 1859. He now conducts the clothing 
business which he accjuired when he and our 
subject separated their business ventures in 
18S9. Mr. Leader is treasurer of the board of 
trustees of the local Presbyterian Clnnxh. He 
is a Democrat, but not active as a politician. 
Mr. Leader married Carrie, daughter of 
George Hamilton, of Pottsville, Pa., October 
10, 1888. 

^^'illianl C. Leader, who was formerly em- 
ployed at !Mount Carmel, was killed in the ter- 
rible wreck at Dunellen, on the Lehigh Valley 
]\ailroad, in January, 1898. He was succeed- 
ed in the management of the Mount Carmel 
store by his brother, Ethvard R. Leader. 



EMANUEL G. SEILER, a thoroughly 
-' representative citizen and the 
head of one of the largest wholesale houses 
in the state, was born in Mahanoy township, 
Northumberland County, June 21, 1847. He 
is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Geist) Seiler. 

The Seiler family has been prominently 
identified with the growth, progress and his- 
tory of Northumberland County for several 
decades. The founder of the family in the 
county was John Jacob Seiler, the grand- 
father of the older members of the family now 
residing in Shamokin, who was a native of 
Eastern Pennsylvania and of German extrac- 
tion. He was reared in the Mahanoy Valley, 
this county, and settled in what is now known 
as Lo\\er Mahanoy township. He was born 
May 22. 1780, and died March 12, 1866, 
aged eighty-five years, nine months and twen- 
tv (lavs. He was a farmer, a man of unusuallv 



sturdy physique, and had the reputation of 
being one of the hardiest and strongest men 
. in the valley. John Jacob was twice married. 
His first wife was a Miss Kuntzman, and to 
them was born Daniel Seiler, father of our 
subject, on May 15. 1820, on the homestead 
where he was reared. 

Daniel Seiler was a wheelwright by trade 
and actively engage<l in his chosen occupa- 
tion until 1845 when he bought a farm in the 
Mahantanoo X'alley on which he resided until 
his death on August 27, 1877. Our subject's 
father was one of the five men who first es- 
poused the cause of the new Republican party 
in the township in which he resided. He al- 
ways was active in politics but never sought 
office. He was a member of the Reformed 
Church in which he was prominent and served 
as a deacon and an elder. His wife was Sarah 
Geist and to them were born eight children, 
six sons and two daughters, as follows : Jacob, 
l)orn on the old homestead where he has al- 
ways resided and pursued farming; Emanuel 
G., our subject; Mary Magdalene, widow of 
the late John K. Haas of Shamokin; Daniel 
G., a sketch of whom appears herein; Sarah 
Ann, the wife of Aaron H. Haupt of Shamo- 
kin; Aaron of Shamokin, Pa.; Felix G.. a 
sketch of whom is also included in this re- 
\iew; and Isaac Ci., who resides at Selins- 
grove, Snyder County, Pa., and is the repre- 
sentative there of Seiler, Zimmerman, Otto & 
Company of Shamokin. 

Our subject, Emanuel G. Seller, was reared 
on his father's farm where he worked until he 
W'as eighteen years old and where he attended 
the schools in the township. He learned the 
trade of carpenter which he followed for sev- 
eral years both at his home and in Shamo- 
kin. In 1869 Mr. Seiler, being ambitious and 
determined to engage in something more 
profitable than carpentry, removed to Shamo- 



74 



BOUK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



kin. TTe opened a small store in wliidi he did 
a meager i)usiness for some time, yet. remark- 
able and almost incredible as it may seem, 
with a capital uf but $50.00 he laid the founda- 
tions on which in after years he built the ex- 
tensive and ])rosperons lousiness of which he 
is now and for some years has been the ac- 
tive, energetic, successful head. He con- 
tinued his little store, persevering, and by 
frugality and strict attention to every detail 
of a general store prepared to branch out. 
It may be said that Mr. Seiler laid the corner- 
stone of his mercantile success in 1871 when 
he formed a copartnership with J. K. Haas 
and the firm opened a small store at Pine and 
Second streets. Shamokin. doing a dry goods, 
grocerv and confectionery business. Five 
years later Mr. Haas retired from the firm, 
taking the dry goods department, and Mr. 
Seiler continuing the grocery and con- 
fectionery trade. Our subject prospered and 
gradually enlarged the business until it was 
on a good footing and success was assured. 
In 1879 Henry S. Zimmerman joined our sub- 
ject, the firm becoming E. G. Seiler & Com- 
pany. The wholesale jobbing trade had by 
this time so grown that the new firm soon 
found it advantageous to drop the retail trade 
and to devote their energies entirely to the 
wdiolesale business, and the retail branch of 
the business was sold to Zinnnerman, Haas & 
Company, Messrs. Seiler and Zimmerman tak- 
ing in as junior partner, Felix G. Seiler, broth- 
er of our suliject, and continuing the whole- 
sale fancy grocery and candy business under 
the firm name of Seiler, Zimmerman & Co. 
Careful management and the untiring indus- 
try of our subject increased the trade of the 
firm to sucli pro])ortions that enlarged quar- 
ters were an absolute necessity. Consequently 
in 1886 the three-story brick building was 
erected at Independence and Cleaver streets 



and was occupie<l b\- the new firm of which 
I"\dix G. Seiler had just become the junior 
member. The business was pusheil with 
characteristic energ\- and the lirm, which now 
occu])ies the handsome store erected in 188'), 
enjoys an iidand trade as large as that of any 
wholesale house in Central rennsyhania. The 
firm's agents traverse all parts of Northum- 
berland, Schuylkill, Montour, Juniata, Dau- 
phin. Union, Snyder and Colmnl)ia counties 
every week, and, as the house enjows an ex- 
cellent reputation for enterprise, fair dealing, 
and the e.xcellent quality of its goods, which 
reputation has been well earned and is de- 
served, the sales are large and constantlv in- 
crease in (|uantities. In addition to the large 
building occupied as the store the firm a!so 
utilizes two large warehouses situated on the 
line of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. 
between Market and Sixth streets, the storage 
capacity being an important feature of the 
business and enalding the firm to compete 
with the similar wholesale houses in the larger 
cities. The firm employs thirteen men, in- 
cluding three traveling salesmen whose routes 
cover territory within a radius of 300 miles of 
Shamokin. The business is constantly being 
extended into new territory and promises to 
become within a few years one of the largest 
and most successfid connncrcial enterprises in 
this state. In 1896 the firm was enlarged. Mr. - 
W. H. H. Otto taking- an interest and the 
firm name being changed to Seiler, Zimmer- 
man, Otto & Company. The senior member 
of the firm, our subject, has partly laid aside 
his active work as a member of the company 
and now acts as the consulting partner, gix'ing 
the benefit of his e.x])erience and his knowl- 
edge of the trade to the business. This gives 
Mr Seiler opportunity to more fully look 
after nianv indi\idual interests which he has 
acciuired because he is and alwa\s has been. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



75 



since l)econiing a resident of Sliamokin, an ac- 
tive participant in every commercial and pub- 
lic movement which is calculated to advance 
the interests of the tcnvn. 

Long respected as one of the most enter- 
jjrising and public spirited men of Shamokin, 
Emanuel G. Seiler has in every way fully jus- 
tified the good opinion in which he is hekl by 
his fellow citizens. He is at present vice-pres- 
ident of the Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit 
Company, of which he was one of the or- 
ganizers and was its first treasurer; he is pres- 
ident of the Shamokin Street Railway Com- 
pany, of which he was one of the organizers 
and original stockholders; he is president of 
the Board of Trade; was one of the organizers 
of the Anthracite Fire Insurance Company 
and has been one of its vice-presidents since 
its organization; is treasurer of the West 
Ward Building & Loan Association, one of 
the most successful and largest in the state; 
he is also treasurer of the Black Diamond 
Building & Loan Association of which he was 
an organizer; and is also a leatling member 
of the Anthracite Association, which was or- 
ganized in 1898 to promote the sale of anthra- 
cite coal and to secure reasonable and popular 
prices. 

Our subject is a member of St. John's Re- 
formed Church of which he has been an elder 
for many years. In politics Air. Seiler is an 
earnest and active Repnlslican and has served 
as a mem])er of the council. 

In 1869 Mr. Seiler was united in marriage 
with Caroline Bower, daughter of Michael 
Bower of Lower Mahanoy township, and to 
them ha\e been born three children, one dy- 
ing in infanc\-; and two sur\i\ing, as follows; 
Cora, who is the wife of Dr. R. H. Sim- 
mons of Shamokin, and Lula. who resides 
with her parents. 

I'^li-K G. Seiler, brother of our subject, was 



born June 9. 1859. on the old homestead in 
-Mahantango township, Schu)lkill County. 
Pa., was reared on the farm and attended the 
common school there until, at the age of six- 
teen years, he remoxed to Shamokin where 
he worked in tiie store of his brother and also 
attended the Shamokin High School. Re- 
tiuMiing to his home subsequently he attended 
a subscription school and also taught a school 
in the township for six terms. He then at- 
tended Gratz .\cademy for two summers, 
teaching in the winters, and finally entered the 
State Normal School at Kutztown, Pa., from 
which he graduated in 1881. He then taught 
schools in Ouakeke, Schuylkill County, and in 
Barry township in the same county, return- 
ing to the Keystone State Normal School at 
Kutztown in the spring of 1883 where for 
one term he was professor of mathematics. 
Mr. Seiler then removed to Shamokin and 
took a position in his brother's store and in 
1886 he became the junior partner of the firm 
and he is now ver_\- actixe in the management 
of the large business. Mr. Seiler is also a 
member of the firm of D. G. Seiler & Co.. 
commission merchants of Shamokin. In poli- 
tics he is a Republican and has serxed on the 
Shamokin school board, representing the 
Third Ward. He is a member of St. John's 
Reformed Church and for ten years has been 
secretary of its consistory. Mr. Seiler mar- 
ried Fietta Herb on July 6, 1886, and to them 
have been born three children ; Grace \'iola, 
born April 4, 1888; Lottie Pearl, born Sep- 
tember II, 1889; and Lloyd Russell, born 
May 17, 1895. 

Daniel G. Seiler. also a Ijrother of our sub- 
ject, was born on the Seiler homestead in Ma- 
hantango township, Schuylkill County, Pa., 
September 30, 185 1. He was educated in the 
common schools of the township and at the 
State Normal School in Kutztown, entering 



76 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the latter institution when eighteen years of 
age. Subsequently he taught school in winter, 
working during summer at his trade as a 
l)lasterer, liaxing learned the trade while 
striving to educate himself. In. 1879 Mr. 
Seller purchased the interest of \V. K. Erd- 
man, the junior member of the firm of Haas 
& Erdman, general merchants in Shamokin, 
and joined J. K. Haas in the business under 
the firm name of Haas & Seller, which co- 
])artnership successfully continued for se\eral 
years. Mr. Seller in 1889 embarked in the 
l)roduce and commission business in which he 
is nc:)w engaged, being at the head of one of 
the largest commission liouses in Central 
Pennsylvania, conductetl under the firm name, 
]). G. Seller & Com])any. The conunission 
liouse is admirably situated along the Penn- 
sylvania and Lehigh ^"alley railroads at 
Cleaver street. This produce and fruit busi- 
ness has increased wonderfully since it was 
established. The firm has consigned to it 
fruits and general produce from all of the 
Southern and Northwestern States, and also 
from California, Mexico, Cuba and the repub- 
lics of South America. A specialty is made 
of trojMcal fruits, but local jiroduce is liandlecl 
the entire year. Five assistants are kept busy 
at the big, four-story produce-house and tw-o 
salesmen are on the road constantly visiting 
dealers throughout this section of the state. 
Tiie firm receives shipments of melons as early 
as June from Georgia, in July from South 
Carolina and Virginia, and in August from 
Maryland and New Jersey. Delicious Dela- 
ware and ^laryland jjeacbes are received in 
carloads in the season. Mr. Seller devotes 
much attention to the buying and attends the 
fruit and produce auctions in New York City, 
Paltimore and Philadelphia, which places him 
on ccpial footing with connnission men in the 
larger cities and enables him to gixe bis cus- 



tomers the best fruits and \egetables the mar- 
kets in the big cities afford. He makes a 
specialty of bananas, receiving the fruit direct 
from the steamers, thus saving much expense 
which would otherwise be incurred, and, con- 
secpiently, the people with whom lie deals reap 
corresponding benefit. The bananas are 
shipped direct to Shamokin in carlots and 
placed in the produce-house which is fitted 
with an elevator and well equipped ripening- 
rooms, allowing the firm to pro\ide ripe, half- 
ripe or green fruit, as the customer may de- 
sire. The firm always carries a complete line 
of butter, eggs, fruits, and country produce, 
making a specialty of ]:)otatoes, of which over 
25,000 l)ushels were sold in a recent season. 

In politics Mr. Daniel G. Seller is a Rejjub- 
lican. Religionslv he is a member of the 
Lutheran Church. On October 19, 1876, Mr. 
Seller married Jemima, daughter of Rev. H. 
W'eicksel, who organized and for some time 
was pastor of Grace E\-angelical Lutheran 
Church in Shamokin. To them- have been 
born six children, as follcjws: \'ictor, who is 
a clerk for his father; Walter; Herbert; San- 
ley; Alma; and Mabel. 

A portrait of Emanuel G. Seller is shown 
on another page, in proximity to this. 



W"; 



3f 



eral of that town's most important commer- 
cial and manufacturing enterprises, was born 
in Lawrence township, Tioga County, this 
state, April 29, 1857. He is a son of George 
L. and Hannah (Hammond) Ryon, and a 
brother of George W. Ryon, also a prominent 
attorney of Shamokin, Avhosc sketch ap]U'ars 
e'sewhere in this \dlnnie. 




JOHN LLOVU DILLON. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



79 



Our suliject was reared in the township in 
which lie was born and was educated in the 
common schools of Tioq-a County and at the 
Mansfield (Pa.) State Normal School, from 
which he graduated in June, 1874. Soon after 
his graduation Mr. Ryon entered the office of 
his brother George W., in Shamokin, and read 
law, being admitted to the bar of Xorthum- 
berland County in March, 1S78. For a short 
time he practiced his profession, which he 
practically al)andoned to accefit an appoint- 
ment as a deputy sheriff by Sheriff William M. 
Weaver, under whom he served three years, 
continuing in the position for three months 
longer under Mr. Weaver's successor in office, 
John C. Morgan. Retiring from the sheriff's 
office Mr. Ryon resumed the ]iractice of his 
profession and subsequently was admitted to 
practice in the Supreme and the Superior 
courts of this state. 

Mr. Ryon is a director in the Shamokin 
Street Railway Company, of which he was 
one of the original holders of stock. He is 
president of the Shamokin Valley Telephone 
Company, of which he was one of the organ- 
izers. He also is a director in the Shamokin 
Silk Throwing Company, which was incorpor- 
ated in December, 1898. Our subject is at- 
torney for the First National Bank of Shamo- 
kin and also attorney for the Union and Home 
Building & Loan Associations, of which he 
was one of the original promoters. He is a 
leading member of the Shamokin Board of 
Trade, having been connected with the or- 
ganization since its ince])tion. 

In 1892 Mr. Ryon was united in matrimony 
to Sue May, daughter of Lsaac May, of Sha- 
mokin, and to them have been born two chil- 
dren, Charles A., born November 10, 1884, 
and now attending the Georgetown College, 
at Georgetown, D. C, and Mary M., born 
June 29, 1892. 



Politically Mr. Ryon is an active and influ- 
ential Democrat. He is a leading member 
of St. Edward's Roman Catholic Church, of 
Shamokin. 



OHN LLOYD DILLON, whose repu- 
tation as a florist extends not only 
throughout the vicinity of Blooms- 
burg, where he has the largest greenhouses in 
Central Pennsylvania, but throughout the 
United States, is a son of Patrick and Mary 
(Emmerson) Dillon, and w as born in Blooms- 
burg July 7, 185 1. 

Patrick Dillon was born near Dublin, Ire- 
land, and when eighteen years of age came to 
America. Later he located in Bloomsburg 
and became a clerk in the Irondale Company 
store, where he remained for eighteen years. 
He was united in marriage with Mary Em- 
merson, a daughter of John Emmerson and 
a native of England. After leaving the store 
he bought the Dimm farm of twenty acres on 
the hiir north of the Normal School, where he 
successfully engaged in farming and trucking, 
having quite an e.xtensive market in Blooms- 
burg and surrounding towns. The last two 
years of his life were spent in retirement and 
he died at the age of seventy-three years. He 
was the progenitor of two sons: John Lloyd, 
the subject of this biographical sketch, and 
Thomas Emmerson, a ])hotographer, of 
Scranton, Pa. 

John Lloyd Dillon attended the i)nblic 
schools of Bloomsburg and also the Blooms- 
burg Literary Institute, and at the age of 
twenty-one years became a partner with his 
father in the gardening business. He was an 
active young business man, and after a period 
of three years started in business for himself. 
He built a greenhouse, 20 by 60 feet, this 
being the first to be built in Bloomsburg, 



80 



HOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



nnd in a short time ac(|uire(l a large local 
trade. During the winter months he raised let- 
tuce, which found a large and ready sale. His 
success in this directinn ]in)ni])ti.Ml him lo cul- 
tivate flowers, which he did on a \ery small 
scale at first, selling ])otted i)!ants and cut 
flowers. He eventually turned his whole at- 
tention to flowers, and in TS79 hought a tract 
of ten acres adjoining his father's land on the 
north side of the Normal School of Miss .Mice 
Snyder, and there he has since conducted the 
Normal Hill Greenhouse. He remo\ed his 
greenhouse to the new property and built 
others, and in 1887 he had 12,000 square feet 
of glass. He erected a windmill and used the 
power to drill a well, drilling 150 feet through 
solid rock, in order to get water to supply the 
l)lants. On September 18, 1897. a very severe 
hailstorm traversed that section of the countrv 
and. ^Mr. Dillon's greenhouses being in its 
track, the glass was nearly all broken and it 
took 1,300 boxes of glass to re])air the dam- 
age. His loss on both ])]ants and glass 
amounted to nearly $6,000. The greenhouses 
at the present time contain about 90,000 
square feet of glass and are all heated 
by steam in the most ajiproved manner. 
The houses contain all of the modern im- 
provements suitable to carrv on the work 
successfully. The business as now conducted 
is largely wholesale and the product is 
shipped to all parts of the United States and 
Canada. The specialties are plants and rooted 
cuttings of verbenas and carnations, plants of 
roses (grafted and on their own roots) for 
winter flowering, and cut blooms of roses and 
carnations. In 1898 there were sold 219.000 
\erbenas, 30,000 roses for winter flowering 
and 40,000 field-grown carnation plants. Dur- 
ing the month of December. i8fj8, there were 
cut 26,500 rosebuds, in addition to the ten 
acres on which his greenhouses were first 



built, Mr. Dillon has purchased considerable 
land and now has ninety acres of the most 
valuable farming land in the town of Blooms- 
Inu'g, situated on Normal Hill, overlooking 
the built-up portion of the town of Blooms- 
l)urg and the beautiful vallev of the Sus(|ue- 
hanna. He has had it di\-ided into lots and it 
will no doubt soon contain some of the finest 
residences of the town. The success with 
which Mr. Dillon's career has been marked is 
wholl}- due to his own eft'orts, as he began in a 
lowly way, with little means, and gradually 
worked his way to the top. 

In May. 1873, Mr. Dillon was united in 
hymeneal bonds with Fdiza J. Barkle, a daugh- 
ter of William Barkle, a native of England, 
by whom he had three children. .Mice M. 
married Bnyd Wells Furman, the assistant at 
the greenhouses, and they are the parents of 
two daughters : Josephine D. and Helen H. 
Max Grant is a student. J. Lloyd died in 
infancy. Mrs. Dillon died July 30, 1893. He 
formed a second alliance w ith Louise Glassell 
Hutchison, a daughter of Charles Hutch- 
ison, of Kingston, in 1895. By this union 
there has been born a son, Charles Hutch- 
ison. Socially, our subject is a member 
of the j\nierican Florists' Society of Philadel- 
phia: the American Carnation Society: the 
Penn.sylvania Horticultural Society; and the 
Bloomsburg Club. He is also a Knight Tem- 
])lar and a thirty-second degree Mason. Mr. 
Dillon and fann'ly are members of St. Paul's 
Episco]3al Church of Bloomsburg. 

Li connection with the abo\-e sketch of his 
life, a ])ortrait of Mr. Dillon is presented on a 
pre\ious ])age, in ]M"oximit\' to this. 
^-•-» 

LINTON S. SMITH. Prominent 
among the leading business men of 
South Danville, is the gentleman 
whose name heads this sketch. Fie conducts 




SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



81 



a larqe and well-stocked general store on 
Sunljurv street and also owns considerable 
proiJcrlv in tliat vicinity. He is a son of 
SrinuicI S. and .'^arali ( Ri'od) Sniitli. and was 
litini in Irisli N'alley, Slianiokin townsliip, 
.Xoriiinniberland County, ?\Iarch 2, 1861. 

His grandfather, who was a well-known 
resident of that section of the county, was 
Morris Smith, whose occupation was that of 
a miller. Dr. Samuel S. Smith, the father, was 
born in Xorthumberland County and early 
in life decided upon a medical career, study- 
ing under the direction of Dr. Joseph Rob- 
bins of Elysburg, Pa. He subsequently took 
a course of study in the University of Penn- 
sylvania of two years' duration, and was grad- 
uated from that institution, after which he 
entered upon his first practice at Hartleton. 
Union County, .\fter a time he moved to 
Trevorton, Northumberland County, where 
he was successfully engaged in practice until 
his demise, which resulted from a complica- 
tion of diseases in 1862, at the early age of 
thirty-four years. He was a man of high 
principles and ambitions, and his death was a 
sad blow to his family and many friends. He 
formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah 
Reed, a daughter of ]\Iatl>ias Reed of Irish 
\'alley, Northumberland County, which union 
resulted in the following issue : Galen, a 
farmer of Northumberland County; William, 
an agriculturist and canner; Nelson M., a rec- 
ord of whose life appears elsewhere in this 
Book of Biographies; Clinton S., the subject 
of this personal history; Laura, the wife of 
Dr. Kline, a well-known physician of Read- 
ing; and Clara, who married Lafayette Lech- 
ler, a farmer of Gearhart township. 

Clinton S. Smith, after attending the public 
school at Kipps Run and the academy of Dan- 
ville, taught school for two terms with good 
results, proving himself an able instructor. He 



then turned his attention to farming in Gear- 
hart township, at which he continued for a 
period of se\en vcars cm the old homestead 
farm. He then removed io South Dan\ille. 
Pa., where he purchased the general store 
owned bv D. R. Iickman on Sunbury street, 
which he has since conducted. The building- 
was erected some thirty years ago by Jordan 
Sober, and is now the property of Peter Gear- 
hart. Mr. Smith has a complete and high- 
grade stock, and the manner in which he 
caters to the wishes of his customers has not 
only added greatly to his patronage but made 
him many personal and lasting friends as well. 
In connection with the store, he was deputy 
postmaster for many years, and in May, 1897, 
was appointed postmaster and is still serving 
in that capacity. He owns considerable prop- 
erty in South Danville, including a double 
house just below Railroad street, and another 
fine double house on Sunbury street. 

Mr. Smith was joined in marriage to Cath- 
erine M. Wilson, a daughter of David Wilson, 
a prominent farmer of Valley township, Mon- 
tour County, and five children have blessed 
their union, namely: Viola G. ; Nora M.; 
Nellie; Reed N.; and Bertha. In religious 
views Mr. and Mrs. Smith are faithful mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. In politics our 
subject is a Republican and has always taken 
an acti\e part in local affairs. 




ILLIA}.! C. WILLIAMS, the genial 
and popular proprietor of the Ho- 
tel Baldy of Danville, has established an en- 
viable reputation throughout Montour and 
adjoining counties and his hostelry is widely 
known as a "haven of rest" for the weary 
traveler. Mr. \\'illiams was born in the town 
of Danville, July 7, 1856, and is a son of 
\\'illiam M. and ^Martha (Phillip) ^^■illiams. 



82 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



William M. Williams, tlie father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Wales w here he was reared 
and received his education after which he look 
up the occupation of a farmer and also con- 
ducted a hotel. By strict ai)plication to busi- 
ness and the jjractice of economy he accumu- 
lated mone\' and in 1847 he possessed the 
snug sum of six thousand dollars in gold. 
With commendable foresight he realized the 
aihantages offered on the American Conti- 
n*?nt and in the year stated immigrated to this 
country, locating in Pottsville, Pa. Remaining 
there but a short time, he migrated to Dan- 
\ille, Montour County, where he was em- 
])loyed in a blast-furnace, but seeing that 
there was no opportunit)- to better his posi- 
tion, he gave up the work and ]:)urchased the 
Washington House in Danville. He remod- 
eled and enlarged the building and conducted 
it very successfully for about fifteen years, 
when he ilccidetl to retire from ])u1)lic life, 
and as a result purchased the Crosley farm 
in West Hancock township upon which he 
erected a large barn, rebuilt other buildings, 
and made many other inipro\ements. He 
conducted the farm with fair results for two 
years, at the expiration of which time he 
rented it and bought a residence in Danville. 
He next bought the White Horse Hotel, built 
a large two-story brick addition on an ad- 
joining lot, and there conducted the hotel un- 
til his death two years later, aged seventy-two 
years. He was a man of sterling cjualities and 
might rightfully be termed the architect of his 
own fortune, as he began life in humble cir- 
cumstances and at the time of his demise 
owned consideralile property and was we'l to 
do. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Mar- 
tha riiillip, relict of John Phillip who died in 
England, and a daughter of James and Mary 
( lu-ens) Plhllii). They reared a family of four 
children, of whom but two are now living. 



namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Lewis Tittle, 
the proprietor of the White Horse Hotel of 
Danville: and William C, the subject of this 
personal history. By her lirst marriage Mrs. 
Williams had one daughter, Alary, who is the 
widow of Charles Green of Danville. 

William C. Williams, our subject, after com- 
pleting a course in the public schools of Dan- 
\i!le, engaged in the huckstering business 
which he followed for a period of five years. 
Like his father he was of an aiubitious nature 
and was dissatisfied until some advancement 
marked his career. He was a very industrious 
worker and was successful from the start. In 
1879 he took charge of the White Horse Ho- 
tel and conducted it until 1891 when he pur- 
chased the Hotel Baldy, a handsome four- 
story brick structure on Mill street, contain- 
ing twenty-three finely furnished rooms. The 
rooms are all large, with high ceilings, well- 
lighted and ventilated, and ec|uipped with 
steam heat, baths and all modern conven- 
iences for the pleasure of the traveling public. 
This hostelry under the efficient guidance of 
Mr. Williams immediately sprang into popu- 
larit}-, which has constantly increased as he 
became better known throughout this section 
of the state. One of the pleasantest features 
of this house is the unexcelled taljle, upon 
which appear viands that would satisfy the 
. wants of a king. The culinary department is 
under the supervision of the landlord's hos- 
pitable wife, and nuich of the popularity of 
the hotel is due to her efficiency in this depart- 
ment. Mr. Williams is genial and good na- 
tured. wideawake as to his interests and the 
comfort of his patrons, and is held in high 
esteem by his fellow-citizens. 

Air. Williams was united in marriage to 
Caroline Shultz in 1877 and they are the 
proud parents of two sons, as follows : Prof. 
William Joseph, a musician of merit wdio is 





^^^^^|P^^H^BS^^-^~<^ 


■ 


■ 




3.- ^^ 


1i>^^^l 


H 




^1* 


.i'.-!^ 


^^^^H 




fc 




■ 




^BbBB' ™>i: 


^^H 


^^^^1 


^^^^^^^^^^^B^^^ ." 


V^^ 


> ^ 


^|H 


^^B:- 


i!S ' 


TM 




^^HH^^^Kf^^v'^'' 




m 


E»UMguiwii.:vgiB 



WILLIAM CLAYTON MASON. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



85 



organist in Christ's Episcopal Church, born 
November 29, 1878; and Lewis Perry, who 
first saw the light of day September 25, 1894. 
Mrs. Williams is a daughter of Joseph and 
Josephine (TTouk) Shultz, and a grand- 
daughter of Martin and Barbara (Brown) 
Shultz. Martin Shultz, who was a shoemaker 
by trade, passed to his eternal reward in 1848, 
aged sixty-four years, and his worthy wife 
died at the age of fifty-four years. Their 
union resulted in the following issue: Cres- 
sence; Magdalene: Catherine; and Joseph. 

Jo.seph Shultz, who has charge of the 
Beaver estate of Danville, has always been a 
gardener, recei\ing excellent training in that 
line of work in the garden of a large castle 
in Germany, wiien a young man. After his 
marriage to Josephine Houk, a daughter of 
Joseph Houk, they sailed for America on the 
"Trumble," landing in New York City in 
1853. - They settled at Marietta, Lancaster 
County, Pa., where he was employed in a 
furnace for seven years, after which they 
mo\ed to Baltimore, Md., where he followed 
gardening until 1863. Li that year he moved 
to Danville and became manager of the 
grounds and hot-house of the Beaver man- 
sion, which responsible position he has since 
held, with the exception of brief inter\'als 
when he resigned his position, but each time 
was persuaded to again take up the manage- 
ment of the place. The grounds ha\'e al- 
ways presented a beautiful appearance and 
show the excellent character of his work. 
Upon the death of Mr. Beaver, the entire es- 
tate was placed under his management. Mr. 
Shultz is the father of the following children: 
Joseph, who died young: Clara C, the wife 
of our subject; Lena, who married R. Det- 
rick; and William, a mechanic, who married 
Jennie Burns. 

Mr. Williams is a memlier of Lotus Con- 



clave, No. 127, L O. IT.; and of the Elks. 
Politically he supports the principles of the 
Republican party. 




ILLL\M CLAYTON MASON. 

Prominent among the civil engi- 
neers and surveyors of this section of the 
state, is the gentleman whose name appears at 
the head of this narrative and whom we repre- 
sent with a portrait on the opposite page, who 
is pursuing that profession in Sullivan Coun- 
ty, making his headquarters in the town of 
Laporte. Our subject has followed this pro- 
fession nearly all his life. lia\ing learned it 
during his boyhood days by working with bis 
father who was also a ci\il engineer and sur- 
ve\-or. This highly esteemed citizen was born 
on the site of his present home. July 1 1. 1853, 
and is a son of \\'illiam A. and Mary .\. 
(Cheney) Mason, and grandson of Eliphalet 
and Roxy (Fowler) IMason. 

This prosperous family is supposed to ha\'e 
originated from one of three brothers. John. 
Robert and Nathaniel, who emigrated from 
England during Cromwell's war. These three 
brothers settled in Ashford, Windham Coun- 
ty, Conn., where they purchased farms and 
engaged in farming: it is thought that this 
branch of the family sprang from Robert Ma- 
son, whose farm remained in possession of 
his descendants until after the time of Elien- 
ezer Mason, the great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, after whose death the farm passed 
through many different hantls. Ebenezer 
married Mary Hastings and they reared se\'en 
sons and three daughters; three of the sons. 
David, William and Alva settled in Philadel- 
phia; Eliphalet, Ebenezer and Chester lo- 
cated in Monroetown, Bradford County, Pa., 
and the remaining son, Rufus, settled in Xew 
York State, near Johnstown. 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Eliplialet Mason, our subject's grandfather, 
was born June 23, 1780, and was named after 
his uncle, Eliphalet, who was a Revolutionary 
soldier and died in a prison-ship in New York 
harbor. Our subject's grandfather prepared 
himself for the ministry but later took up sur- 
veying and followed that profession the great- 
er part of his active days. He resided in Brad- 
ford County, Pa., during his early life and in 
connection with his profession he taught pen- 
manship, being an expert with the quill, and 
also taught singing, during the years 1822 
and 1823. Later he moved to Monroetown, 
Pa., near which place he built a grist-mill 
which he ojjerated until his death; the mill 
is now situated within the limits of the town 
called Masontown. named in honor of our 
subject's grandfather. Elii)halet was wedded 
June 22, 1802, to Zilpah Coburn, who 
passed from this life shortly after their mar- 
riage; he was again married October 22, 1804, 
with Roxy Fowler, who was born July 16, 
1786, and who died February 15, 1851. Our 
subject's grandfather died March 11, 1855. 
He was the father of the following children; 
Zilpaii, born June 26, 1806; Roxy, born De- 
cember 10, 1807; Gordon, born January 19, 
i8to; Rufus, born January 31, 1 81 2; Elipha- 
let H., born April 28, 1815; William A., the 
father of our subject; Samuel A., born March 
22, 1821 ; and Mary, born August 13, 1824. 

William A. Mason, father of our subject, 
was born in Towanda, Pa., September 29. 
i8j8, and his boyhood dax's were spent at- 
tending the district schools and working with 
his father learning the profession of a civil 
engineer and surveyor, which profession he 
made his life's work and so thoroughly mas- 
tered it that his surveys and charts are of great 
value to-day. In 1848, when the town of 
Eaporte originated, Mr. Mason located in 
that little \illasje where he laid out the town; 



he also did much surveying throughout Sul- 
livan and adjoining counties. He erected a 
frame house on tlie site where our subject re- 
sides; it was the third house built in the \'il- 
lage and is now standing on an adjoining lot. 
He continued in his profession all his life, with 
the exception of one year when he was en- 
gaged in the ])h<)tograi)h business at Towan- 
da. At the expiration of that time he re- 
turned to Laporte, where he fcjllowed his pro- 
fession until 1868 when he removed to Mon- 
tour and was resident engineer for the S. L. 
& S. R. R. for about three years, when he 
returned to Laporte. Mr. Maseru was widely 
known throughout the county as a man of 
sterling worth, and he was a man of nnich 
weight as his oi)inion and judgment was often 
sought by his fellow-citizens. He served as 
associate judge of Sullivan Comity; was the 
first justice of the peace of Laporte, in which 
capacity he remained many years; was county 
treasurer, and also held the ofifice of postmast- 
er. Mr. Mason was called from this earth Jan- 
uary 7, 1892, and iiis demise was deeply la- 
mented by a large circle of friends and ac- 
(|uaintances, who hold him in high esteem. 
He was united in marriage with Mary A. 
Cheney, a daughter of .\bel and Priscilla 
Cheney, who was born in Cortland, N. Y., 
October 28, 1820. Her parents removed to 
the state of Pennsyhania when she was a 
small girl. Tier father was a bricklayer by 
vocation. The mother of our suljject resides 
in her beautiful home in Laporte and is a 
lady well preserved for one of her years, not 
having a single gray hair in her head, and 
looks much younger than her age signifies. 
She was a faithful wife, is a kind and loving 
mother and a good neighbor, and is highly 
respected by a host of friends and acquaint- 
ances. She is the mother of the following 
children: luhlen M., a teacher, born No- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



87 



vember 17, 1842; Ida Add, born July 11, 
1845, was the wife of Warren T. Waters, and 
died September 26, 1891; Mary Ellen, born 
November 22, 1847, and died in 1874; Will 
E., born May 18, 1850, and died two years 
later; William Clayton, the subject of this 
personal history; and Gordon Hastings, born 
June 22, 1861, and died in 1863. 

William Clayton Mason, our subject, ac- 
(|uire(l a good education in the public and 
private schools of his native town and at the 
Mannsville Normal School. His leisure 
hours were spent working with his father, 
learning the profession of a ci\il engineer and 
sur\-evor, and he continued to work with him 
throughout his early life and uiion his father's 
death he succeeded him in the work. Our 
subject also studied under l\c\'. H. Arm- 
strong, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman 
and an excellent instructor. 

Mr. Mason has been very successful in his 
chosen profession and is the possessor of many 
valuable maps and charts; he has all the field 
notes of the late ]VIichael Meylert who made 
surveys of Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, 
Bradford, Pike, Wayne, Tioga and Sullivan 
counties; he has the field notes of his father 
of the above counties and of Columbia. Ly- 
coming, Northumberland, L^nion and otlier 
counties; has Baird's book of maps on the 
lands of the Asylum Company; and notes and 
maps of the late Gordon F. Mason of To- 
wanda, Pa. Our subject is chief engineer for 
the W. & N. B. R. R. and is also chief engi- 
neer for the Eagles Mere R. R., and is the 
most prominent civil engineer and sur\-eyor 
in Sulli\an County. It was under his super- 
vision that the W. & N. B. R. R. was con- 
structed from Halls to Nordmont; he also 
located the line from the latter place to Satter- 
field, the eastern terminal. The road w;is 
buill. practically, on his location. 



On December 20, 188 1, Mr. Mason was 
wedded to Eliza Stormont, a daughter of Rob- 
ert Stormont of Laporle, Pa., who was born 
May 31, i860, and died October 15, 1895, 
leaving the following children: Mary Irene, 
born December 2, 1882; William Robert, 
born August 24, 1885; Ethelyn lone, born 
Januarv 9, 1889; and Marjorie Ida, born 
August 14, 1894. Our subject in politics, as 
was his father, is an ardent Republican and 
has served fifteen years as justice of the peace. 
Fraternally he is a meml)er and past chief 
patriarch of the Encampment, I. O. O. F., 
and district deputy grand patriarch of Sulli- 
van Countv. 




ON. SAMUEL Y. THOMPSON, 

M. D., who has ably attended the 

■^ V • citizens of Danville in his medical 

practice more years than any other physician 
and surgeon now residing in that borough, 
and who is now serving his seconil term as 
associate judge of Montour County, was born 
in Danville, October 29, 1843, and is a son of 
John G. and Hannah (Yorks) Thompson. 

^^'illiam Thompson, the grandfather of our 
subject, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was 
a native of Ireland. \\'ith his brother Hugh 
he bade farewell to his native country and 
came to the United States, locating in Ber- 
wick, Pa. Later he settled in Espy, Columbia 
Countv, Pa., and, having learned the trade of 
potter during his boyhood days, established a 
plant and began the manufacture of pottery, 
which business he continued until his death, 
which occurred at the age of sixty years. He 
was twice married and was the progenitor of 
three sons: John G., \\'illiam, and Hugh. 

John G. Thompson, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Espy where he spent his 
vounger davs, attending school and assisting 



88 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



his father in his work. Attaining his man- 
liood lie went to Bloomsburg, and learning 
the tailor's trade he worked as a journeyman 
several years. Locating in Danville he con- 
ducted a merchant tailor-shop on Bloom 
street ior ten years, when he sold his slK)p 
to his son-in-law, J. B. Crawford, and retired 
from active life. He purchased the J. K. 
West residence and resided there until his 
leath. He was united in marriage to Hannah 
Vorks, a daughter of Sanuiel Yorks who was 
an early .settler of Danville. Three children 
blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomp.son: 
Dr. Samuel York Thompson, the subject of 
this narrative; Margaret E., the wife of J. E. 
Gearhart; and John P.. a druggist of Stock- 
ton, Ct)lo. The father of our subject passed 
from this life aged eighty years; his wife en- 
tered the unknown Ijeyond at the age of sixty- 
three years. 

Dr. Samuel York Thompson acquired a 
good education in the schools of his native 
town and then studied medicine under Dr. 
P. H. Long of Mechanicsburg, Pa. Entering 
the Long Island Hospital of Brooklyn he was 
graduated in 1866, and one year later he com- 
menced practicing his chosen profession at 
Danville where he soon established a large 
and lucrative practice. In coimection with 
his medical practice he owns and operates a 
drug-store which alone yields him a hand- 
" some income. Had he not been blessed with 
Nature's best gift, a large and finely-developed 
body, a strong constitution and a disposition 
to make the best of all things, he never could 
have stood the enormous practice he has ac- 
quired, but to-day finds him in the best of 
health. At No. 345 Mill street the Doctor 
owns a large two-story block, and upon the 
first floor is located his drug-store, which is 
the finest in Danville, and on the second tloor 
are his parlors and examining rooms. 



Dr. Thompson is now serving his second 
term as associate judge of Montour County, 
and has served two terms as burgess. He was 
united in the bonds of matrimony with Annie 
E. Ege, a daughter of Rev. (Jli\er Ege of 
Mechanicsburg, Pa., and they are the i)arents 
of two children, Margaret Florence, the wife 
of Dr. C. Shultz of Danville, and Kate Olive. 
Our subject is a member of Dan\ille Lodge, 
No. 780, 1. O. O. P., and past sachem of 
Mahoning Tribe, No. yy, T. O. R. M. 



UDGE HENRY DIVEL. Prominent 
among the progressive and energetic 
business men of the town of Danville 
is the above-named gentleman who is a mem- 
ber of the firm Hoffman & Divel, the largest 
meat dealers in Montour County. He was 
born in IMilton, Pa., December 26, 1839, and, 
is a son of Joseph and Maria (Bowers) Divel, 
and a grandson of Joseph Divel. 

Joseph Divel, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Germany, and was a 
butcher and marketman of \\'urtemberg, Ger- 
many, all his life. Joseph Divel, the father of 
our subject, was also born in Germany, and 
followed the trade of a butcher all his active 
days. In 1839 Josejjh immigrated to the 
United States and settled in New York City; 
later he moved to ^lilton. Pa., where some of 
his relatives resided, lie next went to Har- 
risburg where he worked as a journeyman for 
a short time and then returned to Milton, 
where he formetl a iiartnership with Jacob 
Bowers and opened a butcher shop. They 
continued that business for two years and 
then dissolved partnership, and Mr. Divel 
mo\e<l to Dan\ille, wliere he remained but a 
short time, when he went to Mooresburg; 
there he engaged in the meat business and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 



89 



carried on that line until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1885 at the age of seventy-five years. 
Our subject's father was twice united in mar- 
riage, his first wife was Alaria Bowers, a na- 
tive of Germany, and tliey reared two child- 
ren : Henry, the subject of this personal his- 
tory: and Mary, the wife of John Moyer of 
Milton, Pa. Mr. Divel chose for his second 
wife, Catherine Grift", who bore him the fol- 
lowing children : Sophia, wife of Robert 
Mills of Lockhaven, Pa.; Joanna, who wedded 
Simon L. Ritter of Mooresburg, Pa.; Joseph 
F., a veteran of the Rebellion; and three who 
died in their infancy. 

Henry Divel received a lilicral education in 
the common schools of his native town and at 
the age of sixteen years worked with his fath- 
er, learning" the trade of a butcher, which busi- 
ness he has since followed to the present time. 
In 1859 he removed to Danville and worked 
as a journeyman for Moyer & Lyon for six 
years and seven months, and during his em- 
ployment with this firm, he never lost but one 
week's work and that was owing to a felon on 
one of his fingers. July 4, 1865, in company 
with John Rockfellow, he opened and con- 
ducted a butcher shop at No. 334 Mill street. 
April I, 1875, Theodore Hoffman, wdiose 
sketch may also be found in this Book of 
Biographies, purchased the interest of Mr. 
Rockfellow, and the firm has since been 
known as Hoffman & Divel. The firm has 
since erected new stables and built a large 
slaughter-house 50 by 80 feet on Montgom- 
ery street; also has a stock-yard 200 by 80 
feet, and as the firm makes large shipments to 
the western part of the state, the D., L. & W. 
R. R. laid a side-track to its yards. 

Mr. Divel was united in Hymen's bonds to 
Barbara Fleckenstein, a daughter of Peter 
Fleckenstein, and their home has l)een blessed 
by the following children : Emma, wife of 



S. G. Johnson, a large real estate dealer of 
Carthage, Mo.; Elizabeth, who was wedded 
to \V. L. Sidler, register and recorder of Mon- 
tour County, Pa.; Lilly May, united in mar- 
riage to Henry Woolheater, a farmer of Union 
Comity, Pa.: Charlotte: Maggie; Laura: El- 
la; Minnie: Josei)h: and .Vnnie. Our sub- 
ject owns a handsome residence. No. 404 
Church street, which he makes his home; also 
two large tenement houses. He and his fami- 
ly are members of the Lutheran Church of 
Danville; politically he is an earnest adherent 
of Democratic principles and lends the weight 
of influence to the support of his party. He 
cnjovs the confidence and respect of his 
townsmen, and has served one term in the 
town council, and was associate judge from 
1890 to 1895, and was re-elected in 1895 for 
his second term. Social!}- Judge Divel is a 
member of Danville Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. 
M., and is past master of the same. 



^TTJnETER S. KASHNER, one of the most 
\\ energetic and progressive farmers of 

-*- Montour township, Columbia Coun- 

ty, is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Strohm) 
Kashner, and was l)orn in Cooper township, 
Montour County, August 29, 1835. The 
Kashner family originally came from Ger- 
many and its members were among the early 
settlers of Berks County, with whose growth 
and advancement they have been closely con- 
nected for many years. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject 
was one of the pioneer settlers of Montour 
County, locating at the head of Stony Run 
Hollow, Cooper township, when that country 
was one vast timberland; he spent his entire 
life in clearing and cultivating his farm and 
many of his descendants are still residents of 
that vicinitv. Before leaving Berks Countv he 



90 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



was united in marriage and reared a large 
family of children, one of whom was Daniel, 
the father of our subject. 

Daniel Kashner was born on the old home- 
stead in Cooper tcnvnship, and at an early 
age learned the trade of a carpenter. He fol- 
lowed that occupation for a few years but 
finally turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits in Montour township, Columbia County, 
near the town of Catawissa. He owned 
sixty acres of fine land and was one of the 
substantial men of that community. He was 
a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. 
Religiously he was an actix'c member of the 
Lutheran Church which he liberally sup- 
])()rtcil financially and otherwise. He was 
overtaken ])y the silent reaper, Death, in 
1875, at the age of sixty-six years. He was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony to 
I'llizabeth Strohm, a daughter of Abraham 
Strohm, a farmer in what is now Alahoning 
township, Montour County, and this happy 
union was blessed by the birth of nine child- 
ren : J'etcr S., the subject of this sketch; Caro- 
line, wife of Xathaniel Krum of Catawissa; 
T-llizabeth, relict of Lloyd Miller of Catawissa; 
Harriet, the wife of John Peifer of Blooms- 
burg; William, wlu) is a superintendent in 
the blacksmithing department of the Blooms- 
burg Car Shops; Amos, a laborer of Cata- 
wissa; and three who died. 

Peter S. Kashner was reared on the farm 
where he remained for several years, and re- 
cci\'ed his education in the common schools. 
L'])()n leaving the parental homestead he en- 
gaged in boating for a couple of seasons, after 
which he engaged in burning lime in Mon- 
tour townshi]) for about eight years, or until 
1872, when he located upon his present farm. 
I'or the first ten \cars he not only cultivated 
his own farm but also a large farm, lying along 
the banks of the ri\er, which he rented. He 



was a hard, industrious worker and, being a 
successful manager, he soon accumulated a 
handsome competency. In 1882 he gave up 
the large farm and has since conductetl the 
one which he now owns, ccjnsisting of forty 
acres of good land and well supplied with ;i11 
the necessary buildings for successful farming. 
He is now leading a quiet life de\-oting most 
of his time to dairy work. He also owns 
another tract of ten acres which he rents. 

In 1856 our subject led to the altar Eliza 
Breisch, a daughter of Samuel Breisch, late 
a farmer of Coojjer township, Montour Coun- 
ty, and one child was born to their union, wh;) 
died in infancy. They have always had a 
marked fondness for children, however, and 
have reared two orphans, Mrs. George Shaf- 
fer and L W. Ba\lor, a well-to-do farmer of 
Montour township. Politically Mr. Kashner 
takes an active interest in the Democratic 
party, and has held the offices of school di- 
rector, supervisor, constable, collector, aud- 
itor, and judge of elections, all of which he has 
filled in a highly satisfactory manner. 
^-•-►^ 



M 



R. LOUIS J. ADAMS, one of the 
most prominent and skilful phy- 
sicians and surgeons of the village 
of E\ansville, Briarcreek township, Columbia 
County, Pa., and a highly esteemed citizen of 
that town, was born on his present homestead, 
Alarch 5, 1849, ^"^1 is a son of Stephen and 
Julia Ann (Hutchins) Adams, and grandson 
of Anthony Adams. 

The Adams fannly is of English descent 
and Anthony Adams and his three brothers 
were the first of that name to locate in Briar- 
creek township. Anthony was the progenitor 
of one son and five daughters. 

Stephen Adams, the father of our subject 
and his parents' only son, was born in 1818 




DANIEL MONTGOMERY BOYD. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



93 



and passed from this life on tlie old home- 
stead in i860. He was a shoemaker by trade 
and followed that occupation mostly through- 
out his active days. Politically he was an ar- 
dent Democrat and firmly supported the prin- 
ciples of his chosen party; he has also repre- 
sented his fellow-townsmen in manj^ town- 
ship offices. ,He was a member of the old 
state militia. Mr. Adams was united in mar- 
riage to Julia Ann Hutchins, a native of Briar- 
creek township, and to this union six children 
were born, namely: Louis J., the subject of 
this narrative; Alice S., the wife of Milton 
\\'illiams of Nescopeck, Luzerne County, Pa.; 
and four who died in infancy. Our subject's 
father was one of the progressive citizens of 
his connnunity, and was held in high esteem 
by his neighbors and acquaintances. 

Dr. Louis J. Adams was eilucated in the 
public schools of New Columbus and Orange- 
ville, and at the Bloomsburg Seminary. At 
the age of seventeen years he began teaching 
and taught some eight years. In 1874, having 
determined upon a medical career, he began 
studying medicine with Dr. J. J. Brown then 
of Miffinville, now of Bloomsburg; then, go- 
ing to Cleveland he entered the Cleveland 
Medical College where he remained one year. 
He then entered the Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia from which he was grad- 
uated March 10, 1877, '^^ter taking a two- 
years' course. Upon leaving school he re- 
turned home, proposing to rest jirior to his 
locating, but he received so many calls that he 
concluded to remain there and has since built 
up a very large and lucrative practice. Our 
subject's practice extends over much of Co- 
lumbia and Montour counties, and while he 
has not made any one branch of the profession 
a specialty, he has been most remarkablv suc- 
cessful in the treatment of diphtheria. 

Dr. Adams formed a matrimonial alliance 



with Clara \'. Smith and they were happily 
wedded June 15, 1882. She is a daughter of 
the late Isaac Smith who was formerly a farm- 
er of Xescopeck township, but later a retired 
citizen of Berwick. To Dr. and Mrs. Adams 
has been born one child, Edna A. Our sub- 
ject is a- member of Knapp Lodge, No. 462. 
F. & A. M. In religious views he is an active 
member of the United Evangelical Church. 
In politics he strongly supports the Demo- 
cratic party, has served as school director, was 
secretary of the school board for nine years, 
and has held several other township offices. 
Dr. Adams is already recognized as the lead- 
ing physician of Evansville; he is well read, 
and takes a worthy pride in striving to become 
a master of the profession through w hich dis- 
ease is made to yield to the ingenuit}' and the 
intelligence of man. 



M 



ANIEL MONTGOMERY BOYD, 
president of the First National Bank 
and a gentleman closely identified 
with many industries of Danville, Montour 
County, Pa., whose portrait appears on the 
opposite page, is now retired from active busi- 
ness, owing to ill health, and resides with his 
familv in his handsome home, No. 5 Bloom 
street. 

The Boyd family for many years past has 
been connected with all of the important busi- 
ness projects in the vicinity of Danville and is 
accredited with having done much toward 
elevating the borough to its present standing 
among the industrial communities in Penn- 
sylvania. The annals of history accord the 
family due credit for establishing one of the 
first railroads in that section, thus making 
possible conmnuiication with other markets 
and indirectly promoting all business enter- 
prises. Our subject is recognized the county 



94 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



over as a man of sterling worth to the com- 
munity and his friends are without number. 
He is a son of John C. and Hannah (Mont- 
gomery) Boyd, and was 1)orn in Rush town- 
ship, Northuml)erland County, Pa., April 23. 
1826. 

The family was established in this country 
by uur subject's great-grandfather, William 
Boyd, who with his brother, Thomas, left his 
native home at Armagh, Ireland, and came to 
the United States in 1732. He was of Scotch- 
Irish parentage and was an adherent to the 
faith of the Protestants. He settled near the 
Half-Way House in New Garden township, 
Chester County, Pa., and on March 26, 1773. 
was appointed justice of the peace under King 
George and served in that capacity during the 
remainder of his life. He was also a member 
of the provincial council and his name ap- 
peared for the last time ujion the records in 
1761. He was a faithful member and officer 
of the Presbyterian Church at Fagg's Manor. 
Chester County. Late in life he moved to the 
village of Oxford where he resided until his 
death in 1767. He reared the following child- 
ren : James; John; William: Jane; Mary; 
and Hannah. 

John Boyd, the grandfather of our subject, 
served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade, 
but uiion the breaking out of the Revolution- 
;irv War he enlisted in the army and served 
until he received his honorable discharge in 
1782, proving himself a man of valor and one 
in whom his country could place dependence. 
He was subsequently appointed general of the 
First Brigade. Third Division, of the Penn- 
svlvania State Militia by the governor of the 
state. After his marriage on December 18. 
1782, he established a tannery at West Fal- 
lowfield, Chester County, Pa., which he con- 
ducted with much success. He served in the 
legislature manv vears. He was a ruling elder 



in the Presbyterian Church at Fagg's Manor 
for a period of twenty years. He married 
Mary Cowan, a daughter of James Cowan of 
Octoraro, Chester County, and they reared 
the following children: Jane; Joseph; Wil- 
liam; James; John C; Mary; Hannah; and 
Eliza. 

John C. Boyd, father of the subject of this 
biograi)hy, was joined in marriage, on May 
18. 1820, with Hannah Montgomery, a 
daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery, after 
whom the borough of Danvillewas nametl. He 
then settled in Danville and conducted a store, 
where his wife's father had previously lived, 
until 1824 when he sokl out and removed to 
what is now known as the Boyd farm, a gift 
to Mrs. Boyd from her father at the time of 
her marriage. There he erected a large man- 
sion and continually added to the land until 
he possessed a farm of nine hundred acres, 
nearly all of which was under culti\-ation. 
Ablv suijported by bis sons and Gen. Mont- 
gomery, Mr. Boyd planned many projects to 
promote the interests of the town and aid 
in its growth, the most important of these 
being for the construction of the Danville & 
Pottsville i'Jailroad. It was he who first con- 
ceived the idea of using wooden rails. It. is 
not to be imagined lK)we\'er that he did not 
encounter many difficulties in this enterprise, 
but with renewed energy and characteristic 
good judgment he finally obtained the desired 
results. He also built a furnace on a tract of 
land at Shamokin, Northumberland County, 
and this he operated with good success. He 
was a man of irreproachable character, digni- 
fied, and at all times courteous, and there were 
few who could boast of more friends or who 
were accorded a higher degree of confidence 
by their fellow- citizens. His useful life was ter- 
minated August 18, 1849, at the age of fifty- 
six vears, as the result of an attack of dysen- 



SEVENTEENTH CjONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



95 



tery. Mr. Boyd and his wife became the 
proud parents of seven children: Mary L., 
the wife of William Neal, proprietor of the 
Neal Furnace of Bloomsburg; Daniel Mont- 
gomery, the subject of this biographical rec- 
ord; H. Eliza, deceased; James, who mar- 
ried Louise Yeomans, a daughter of Rev. J. 
^\'. Yeomans; J- Alexander, who married a 
Miss Titus and resides in Philadeli.)hia; Christ- 
ianna, the wife of Col. William McClure: and 
Joseph C, who married Anna Butler, a 
daughter of William Butler of Danville. 

Daniel Montgomery Boyd received a good 
education in the Danville Academy and short- 
ly after leaving school he became a coal dealer 
at Pottsville, Pa., and also engaged in opening 
and developing mines in the Shamokin Coal 
Basin. He and his partner in business were 
among the first to introduce the improved 
coal-breakers in that section. In 1862 he went 
to Havre-de-Grace and conducted business 
under the name of Hilles, Boyd & Company, 
selling coal and shipping it by vessel to vari- 
ous points in the South and ^^'est; as this 
proved a very remunerative occupation he 
continued it until 1881 when he was (.ililiged 
to relinquish it owing to ill health. Our sub- 
ject lived in retirement for some time in Dan- 
\'ille, but as soon as his health permitted he 
associated in man_\- important business ven- 
tures. He became president of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Danville, president of the Dan- 
ville Nail Manufacturing Company, and is a 
liberal supporter financially of all worthy en- 
terprises. He was also president of the board 
of trustees of the State Hospital for the In- 
sane, but recently resigned that ofifice. He 
continued to improve in health until the win- 
ter of 1897-98, when he took to his bed, owing 
to an attack of la grippe which left him in a 
very weak condition. 

Mr. Boyd has twice married, his first wife 



being Caroline A.Bockius, a daughter-of Sam- 
uel Bockius of Germantown, Pa., to whom he 
was united in 1869. After her death in 1876 
he formed a second matrimonial alliance with 
Ida Cottrell, a daughter of Joseph W. and 
Esther A. (Sloan) Cottrell. he being a pros- 
perous hardware merchant of Co'.uml)ia, Pa. 
This union resulted in the birtli of two child- 
ren: Daniel Montgomery, deceased; and El- 
sie M. Mr. Boyd and his family are con- 
sistent members of the Presbyterian Church, 
of which he is a trustee. 




EORGE E. MOOREHEAD. Among 
the prosperous and enterprising citi- 
zens of the town of Berwick, a man highly 
respected for his many sterling qualities, is 
the subject of this narratix'e, who is foreman 
of the pipe foundry of The Jackson & Woodin 
Manufacturing Company. He was born at 
Pine Grove, Cuml^erland Count}-, Pa., Sep- 
tember 29, 1835, and is a son of William B. 
and Susan (Deemer) Moorehead, and grand- 
son of Edward Moorehead. 

Edward Moorehead the grandfather of our 
subject, was the father of a large family of 
children, one of whom was \Mlliam B., the 
father of our subject, who learned the trade 
of a moldcr and followed it all his life. ^Ir. 
Moorehead, with Mr. Samuel Henry, moved 
to the town of Foundryville, Pa., and there 
engaged in the making of stoves, bells, plows, 
etc. They carried on that business for two 
years when they dissolved partnership and 
our subject's father moved to York, Pa., 
where he again took up with his former busi- 
ness. He passed from this life at the age of 
fifty-seven years. He was united in wedlock 
to Susan Deemer, a daughter of Peter Deem- 
er, a ])rominent man of York Springs, Pa., 
and a shoemaker by trade. IMr. Deemer re- 



96 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



tired from active life at the age of seventy- 
two years, and died aged ninety-two years. 
.Mr. and I\irs. Moorcliead reared a family of 
seven children, namely: Amanda L. ; George 
I'..; Samncl J., who died in his childhood 
days: William T., a \eleran of the Civil War; 
John .M.; James IL, also a veteran of the 
ixehellion; and Elizahetli, 

George E. Moorehead attended the primary 
schools during his hoyhood and at the age of 
fifteen years he began to learn the trade of a 
moldcr from his father. He served an ap- 
l^renticcship to the molder's trade for three 
years and then worked at Philadelphia,, 
l'"()undi-y\illc, Scranton and \\'yoming as a 
journeyman until ]<^57, when he remox'ed to 
I'erwick and worked in the moulding depart- 
ment of The Jackson X: W'ooilin Manufactur- 
ing Comi)any for about one year. He then 
found employment in York, Riceville, Pa., 
and P)altimore, I\Id., for several years, and in 
icSr)4 he returned to Berwick and took up his 
former position. In 1884 our subject was 
made foreman of the ])ipe foundry, which is 
one of the largest industries of its kind in the 
state. He has as high as 100 men under his 
management and tiiey cast from three to six- 
teen-inch water pipes, and four to sixteen- 
incli llange or mining pii)es. which are from 
one-half to two inches in thickness, and these 
l^ipes are ])ut under 300 ])ounds' hydraulic 
])ressure before shipping. The foundry also 
turns out lanii) and hitclhng posts. 

Mr. Aloorehead chose for his life companion 
Falla B. Garney, a daughter of Barney Car- 
ney who was a resident of Wyoming, Pa. Mrs. 
Moorehead entered the unknown beyond at 
the age of fifty-five years, leaving a large 
family of children, a kind husband, and a large 
number of friends to mourn her death. Their 
children were as follows: John, a mr)lder 
of Berwick, who married I'riscilla .Shea \vho 



bore him four children, namely, — Nellie, 
Ruth, i-'rank, and I'liilip: T-lUa, who is the wife 
cjf Joseph Sherwood ;Lnd the mother of two 
children, Florence, and .\uslin ; Bernard, who 
wedded Catherine Krull, and one child blesses 
their home, Ernest: George, a molder by 
trade, united in wedlock to .\nnie I'^n-man, 
and they are the parents of four chiUlren, — 
Olive, Elizabeth, I'lichard, and Curtis; Mary, 
wife of William Lynxille, having one child, 
Lettie I\I.: and Harriet. ( )ur subject is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
of Berwick. He is also a member of the 
Knights of the Golden Eagle. 




IIEODORE HOFFM.\N, of the hrm 
Hoffman & Divel, the largest meat 
dealers of Montour Count}-, who conduct a 
shop on the corner of Mill and Mulberry 
streets, Danville, Pa., is one of the wide-awake 
and energetic business man of the Ijorough. 
He was born in Rheinpfalz, Kingdom of Ba- 
varia, Germany, January 28, 1834, and is a 
son of Frank and Rosanna (Ederilch) Hoff- 
man. 

Frank Hoffman was a native of (iei'many 
and was a butcher by trade, as were his an- 
cestors. He wedded Rosanna Ederitch and 
they reared a family of children, one of whom 
is the subject of this personal history. Our 
subject possesses a liberal education. During 
his younger days he worked in the meat-shop 
owned by his father, and has since followed 
the trade of a butcher. In 1855 he immigrated 
to America and for a short time worked as 
a butcher in Xew York, Philadelphia and 
Lewisburg, Pa., and finally located in the 
town of Danx'ille in 1856, and has since been 
engaged at his occu])ation. .\pril i, 1875, he 
bought out John Rockfellow, of the firm of 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



97 



Rockfellow & Divel. The present proprietors 
are l)Otli popular and highly respected citizens 
of Danville and hy their honest methods of 
dealing have succeeded in estahlishing a large 
patronage. They kill on an average of twelve 
head of cattle per week and always keep a 
fresh supply of meat in their shop. They have 
a slaughter-house 50 by 80 feet and a stock- 
yard 80 by 200 feet, located on Montgomery 
street, and ship extensively to the western 
part of the state. 

Mr. Hoffman was united in marriage to 
Elizabeth Gouchu, a daughter of Frederick 
Gouchn. She passed from this life at the age 
of fifty-two years, leaving the following child- 
ren : Henry, who died at the age of five years: 
Theodore, a butcher; Frank, who is pros- 
pecting in the Western States; George, a 
teamster residing in Danville; Simon, a but- 
cher b}- trade and a resident of Danville; 
John, who is also prospecting in the West; 
Louise; Lena; Lizzie; Caroline; Mary; and 
Clara. Our subject owns a handsome resi- 
dence. No. 200 Mulberry street, which he has 
acquired by his own industry and economy. 
He has served one year as a policeman, and is 
now overseer of tiie poor of ]\Iontour County. 
Mr. Hoffman is a self-made man, and has 
made a bright mark in the community of 
which he is a member. His energv and 
enterprise have already been productive of the 
best results, and a natural and inherited perse- 
verance insures for him unlimited success in 
the future. 




IRAM R. P.OWER. This highly re- 
s]jected citizen of the town of Ber- 
'- V ^ wick is a retired merchant, now 
enjoying the fruits of his early toil and li\ ing 
cjuietly in his comfortable home on ^^'est 
Second street. He was born in Center town- 



ship, Columbia County, Pa.. October 30, 
1831, and is a son of Abraham and Ellen 
(Remley) Bower, and a grandson of Michael 
Bower. 

]\Iichael Bower was a native of Germany, 
and at the age of thirteen years he left his 
home in Saxony, Germany, and came t<j 
America, and located in Kutztown, Berks 
County, Pa. After his marriage to a Miss 
Hill he moved to Columbia County and pur- 
chased a farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres of Mr. Desser, which is now the prop- 
erty of John Fester. He successfully carried 
on the pursuits of an agriculturist and was 
one of the prominent men of Berks County. 
He was the father of the following children : 
Jacob; Michael; Solomon; Daniel; Philena; 
Catherine; and Abraham. 

Aljraham Bower, the father of our subject, 
was born in Kutztown, Berks County, Pa., 
and during his early manhood he mox'ed to 
Center township, Columbia County, where he 
purchased a farm of fifty acres, which is now 
the property of Mr. Wolverton. He imme- 
diately erected a set of new buildings and 
successfully carried on general farming. He 
also followed the occupation of a stonemason, 
which trade he had learned in his youth. He 
was joined in wedlock to Ellen Remley, a 
daughter of Michael and Susan Remley, both 
natives of Berks County, Pa. Later they 
moved to Columbia County and located in 
Center township where they spent the re- 
mainder of their days. IVIrs. Bower's father 
died at the age of eighty-nine years and her 
mother passed from this earth at the ad\'anced 
age of ninety-six years. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Bower were born the following children : 
Samuel, deceased; Phoebe, deceased, who 
was the wife of Daniel Miller; Rachel, who 
wedded John Sloan; Elizabeth, deceased, was 
the wife of Caleb Fowler; \\'illiani, deceased: 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Ahraliani and Susanna, deceased, who reached 
nialuritv; Lavina, deceased, who was united 
in marriage to George Johnson; Catherine, 
deceased, wlio was the wife of Thomas Evans; 
I'^llcn, deceased; Aaron, a Methodist minister 
residing at Mattamora. 111.; Hiram R., the 
subject of this sketch; Matilda, deceased, who 
twice married, — her first husband was George 
Jolmson and after his death she was wedded 
to Daniel Bahr. Mr. Bower died at the age 
of seventy-eight years. The mother of our 
subject died aged sixty-four years. Air. Bow- 
er was an unwavering Democrat and served 
his fellow-citizens as supervisor and as a 
school director. 

Our su])ject was eilucated in the common 
schools and remained under the parental roof 
until he attained the age of twenty-two years, 
during which time he was preparing himself 
for the ministry, but, on account of poor 
health, he was obliged to give up his studies. 
Later he entered a mercantile store and was 
engaged as a clerk for ten years. In 1864 
he associated with Isaiah r>ower and AI. E. 
Jackson, and under the name of I. & H. R. 
I'.ower they conducted a mercantile store on 
the corner of Eront and Alulberry streets. The 
firm conducted the business under the above 
name until 1870 when Mr. Jackson retired. 
In )88o our subject became sole proprietor 
;uid successfully carried on the business until 
1891 when he wisely concluded to retire from 
active labor and care and leave the field open 
to younger and more vigorous men. Mr. 
Bower has bought and sold considerable prop- 
erty and is still the owner of several fine tene- 
ment houses; he" also owns a handsome resi- 
dence on West Second street which he makes 
his home. 

Mr. Bower has served in the town coun- 
cil a number of years and has been secre- 
tarv of the council for si.x years; president of 



the board of health; and secretary of the I'er- 
wick Cemetery .Association twelve years. He 
chose for his life companion Rebecca Martz, 
a daugiiter of John Martz, a resident of Briar- 
creek townshij), Columbia County. As a re- 
sult of this union five children were born to 
them, namely: Layman F., treasurer of the 
Dickson Locomotive Works of Scranton, Pa., 
who united in marriage to Gertrude Hen- 
ninger who bore liim four children, — Flor- 
ence, Russell, Harold, and Layman, Jr.; Aaron 
B., a Methodist minister residing at Scranton, 
Pa., who wedded Harriet Garney and three 
children were born to them, namely, — Helen, 
Harriet, and Wallace; Frank, who died aged 
three years; Minnie, who is the wife of Wil- 
liam C. .Smith of Tarrxtown. X. •'N"., and lias 
one child, Lenoi'a; and Elizabeth, who wedded 
Luther W, Mendenhall of Pittsburg, Pa., an 1 
is the mother of one child, Luther W. 

Our subject is a member of tiie Berwick 
Lodge, No. 246, I. O. O. F., and is also past 
grandmaster of the same. Mr. Bower and 
family are all members in good standing of 
the Alethodist Episcopal Church. Oiu- sub- 
ject occupies an enviable position in his com- 
munity as a good citizen, and is held in high 
esteem by his neighbors and acquaintances. 
Mr. Bower has served one year as president 
of the County Sunday School Association and 
is now holding the oflice of county fieldsman. 
.\t the State Sunday School Convention of 
1898 he was elected president of the Sixth 
District, comprising Cohmibia, Luzerne and 
Wyoming counties. 




^> HI LIP PETERMAN is one of the 
leading and enterprising business 
men of Sullivan County, Pa., and 
has for the past two years been successfully 
engaged in merchandising in the \illage of 




GENERAL JOHN' KAV CLEMENT. 




COLONEL CHARLES M. CLEMENT. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



103 



Nordmont. He is a native of Laporte town- 
ship, tliat county, his l)irth occurring FcIm-u- 
ary ii, 1870, and is a son of James and Han- 
nali J. (Hunter) Peterman. 

James Peterman was born and reared in 
Sngarloaf township, Columl^ia County, Pa., 
and was a son of Benjamin Peterman, who was 
a well-to-do farmer of Columbia County. 
James received a common-school education 
and in early life purchased a farm in his native 
township and carried on agricultural pursuits. 
In 1861 our sul)ject's father was offered a pro- 
fitaljle price for his farm; accepting the same 
he moved to Sullivan County and purchased a 
new and uncultivated tract of land; he cleared 
a portion of his purchase and carried on both 
farming and limibering with marked success. 
He passed to the unknown beyond at the age 
of fifty-nine years. He was joined in the bonds 
of wedlock with Hannah J. Hunter, a daugh- 
ter of John Hunter, a well-to-do and prosper- 
ous citizen of Sullivan County. As a result of 
this happy union ten children were born, as 
follows: Jennie; Carrie; Minard; Philip, the 
subject of this biography; Susie; Shadrach; 
Glen, who is operating the homestead; .Mice; 
Chester; and Harry. Our su1)ject's mother re- 
sides on the homestead with her son and is 
surrounded by many friends, who hold her in 
high esteem. Mr. Peterman was well known 
and took an active interest in local politics, 
giving his support in favor of the principles 
of the Democratic party. He ser\ed as super- 
visor, tax collector, overseer of the poor, and 
school director. Religiously, he and his fam- 
ily were members of the ^Methodist Church. 

Philip Peterman, the subject of this sketch, 
was reared to manhood on his father's farm 
and accjuired a liberal education in the public 
schools of his native township. In 1896 he re- 
moved to the village of Nordmont and bought 
out the mercantile store of M. W. Botsford. 



On September 11, 1897, the store was de- 
stroyed by fire, and, although our subject met 
with a severe loss, he innnediately relniilt and 
has greatly increased his stock, now owning 
and conducting one of the best general stores 
in his section of the country. Our subject also 
owned a part interest in the Temperance 
Hotel, conducted by his brother Minard, 
which was also destroyed by fire. He is now 
erecting a modern hotel, 30 by 40 feet, three 
stories high, and when completed it will be 
one of the finest hotels in the village. Mr. 
Peterman is recognized as one of the valued 
members of the community and lends his in- 
fluence toward all enterprises that tend to ad- 
vance the interests of his adopted village. He 
is an honest, upright citizen, and enjoys the 
confidence and respect of a host of acquain- 
tances. In his political views he upholds the 
principles of the Democratic party, both by 
acts and ballot. Socially, he is a member of 
the P. O. S. of A., whilst religiously he is a 
member of the Evangelical Church. 



/^5*^ ENERAL JOHN KAY CLE- 
I ^jT MENT, deceased, was one of the 
^-^ most prominent criminal lawyers of 
the state of Pennsylvania and participated in 
many of the most famous cases tried in the 
section in which he lived. He lived at Sun- 
bury, Northumberland County, Pa., where 
he acfjuired a very extensive practice, mainly 
criminal, and was for many years a well- 
known figure in the public eye. Pie was a son 
of Evan C. and Hannah (Kay) Clement, and 
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., January i, 1820. 
Gen. Clement descended from a prominent 
family of Quakers in England, the earliest an- 
cestor of whom we have any record being 
Gregory Clement, who was one of the famous 
body of Regicides and with four others was 



104 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



hanged. When Gregory was arrested in 1660, 
his son James escaped and emigrated from his 
native country to America, lanchng on Long 
Island. He subsequently located in Camden 
County, N. J., near Camden, where he found- 
ed the village of Clementon nearly 150 years 
ago. He became a large landowner and sur- 
veyor and his descendants continued at that 
occupation for a ntnnber of generations fol- 
lowing. His ccjmpanion in the pathway- of 
life was Sarah ]'"icl<l and among the children 
who blessed their union was one Jacob. Jacob 
Clement married Ann Harrison and they were 
the parents of Samuel Clement, the great- 
grandfather of our subject. 

Samuel Clement, the great-grandfather, 
married Rebecca Collins, a grand-daughter of 
Francis Collins, wdio came to America in 1688, 
locating in Xew Jersey, where he became a 
man of distinction. He served for a time in 
the capacity of a judge and was a member of 
the Proxincial Legislature of New Jersey. 

Samuel Clement, the_ grandfather of our 
subject, married Alary Foster and they reared 
Evan C. the father of our subject, who was 
born in Camden County, X. J. In connection 
w ith his father, Evan engaged in the manufac- 
ture of glass and became a man of consider- 
able means. He was a soldier of the W'av of 
1812, serving with the rank of sergeant-major. 
He was a life-long resident of Camden 
County, dying there in 1S27, at the age of 
thirty-seven years. He was united in mar- 
riage with Hannah Kay, a daughter of John 
Kay, who was a great-grandson of John Kay, 
the first settler of the name, who was several 
years speaker of the rnnincial .\ssembl_\- of 
New Jersey. John Kay, the father of Mrs. 
Clement, married Kesiah Thorne, a daughter 
of Capt. Joseph Thorne, a soldier of the Revo- 
lutionary War. 

Gen. John Kay Clement, the subject of this 



biography, was but seven years of age when 
his father died and. as the latter had failed a 
short time previous to death, John was thrown 
upon his own resources at that youthful age. 
He received his early education in the 
Friends' School at Philadelphia, and at the 
age of eighteen years entered upon the study 
of law. a profession for which he proved him- 
self eminently fitted. He studied in the office 
of his cousin, Richard Howell, of Camden, 
N. J., and at the age of twenty-one years was 
admitted to the bar at Trenton, N. J., in 1841. 
Shortly thereafter he removed to Schuylkill 
Cotmty, Pa., making his home first at Miners- 
ville and subsecpiently at Potts\'ille. While 
residing in that county he was made briga- 
dier-general of the state militia, and he also 
practiced law there until 1854, wdien he moved 
to Sunl)ur\-, Xorthumberlan<l County. Being 
a man of unusual power and eloquence as a 
si)eaker and pleader, he had by this time at- 
tracted considerable attention as a lawyer, 
and in 1859 he was elected district attorney of 
Northumberland County. He was re-elected 
to that office in 187 1, and received an appoint- 
ment to the same office in 1877. He practiced 
law to the exclusion of everything else, mak- 
ing a specialty of criminal law, up to the time 
of his death, and he took rank among the lead- 
ing criminal lawyers of this state. From 1871 
to 1878 he was engaged as counsel for the 
prosecution or defense in every important 
case brought to trial and his efforts in almost 
every instance were attended by success. 
"Bear" Dolan, the first "Alolly Alaguire" con- 
\-icted. was prosecuted liy him in 1872: and 
Peter McAlannes, the last one tried, was de- 
fended by him. Besides being an eloquent 
speaker. Gen. Clement e.xcelled as a man of 
great reasoning power and his knowled.ge of 
the law was almost unlimited. Politically he 
was a Democrat prior to the Civil War. l)Ut 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



105 



subse(]uently lie stanclily supportcil the prin- 
ciples of tlie Republican party, and for some 
years was a member of the Sunbury Council. 
Gen. Clement took an active part in the Civil 
War, showing great patriotism and de\-otion 
to the cause for which the government was 
fighting. He was captain of the Pottsville 
Light Artillery, which organization still exists 
as Company F. 4th Reg.. N. G. P., and he 
served in the First Battle of Bull Run as aide 
to Col. Cameron. In 1862 he was made pro- 
vost marshal of the Fourteenth District of 
Pennsylvania and served efficiently until 1864. 
During the war he also served as a private 
in Company D of the 4th Pennsylvania Emer- 
gency Troop. 

On May 18, 1854, Gen. Clement formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Mary S. Zeigler, of 
Sunbury, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Ever) 
Zeigler. She is now living in Sunbury at the 
advanced age of seventy-two years. Five chil- 
dren blessed their home, only one of whom 
survives. Gen. Clement passed to his eternal 
reward on October 15, 1882. 

COLONEL CHARLES M. CLEMENT, 
a prominent and influential lawyer of Sun- 
bury, is a son of Gen. John Kay Clement, 
whose biographical sketch immediately pre- 
cedes this, and was born in Sunbury, North- 
umberland County, Pa., October 28, 1855. 
He acquired a good education in the acad- 
emies at Sunbury, Pa., and Burlington, 
N. J. Leaving school at the age of seven- 
teen years he accepted a [josition as a clerk 
in the prothonotary's ofTice and continued 
as such for six years. He then read law 
in the office of his father and after his admis- 
sion to the bar, on March 11, 1878, he began 
practice, being associated with his father until 
the latter's death. He made a thorough study 
of legal principles and had the happy faculty 



of applying them to ]M"actical exery-da}' busi- 
ness affairs. He soon acepiired a good client- 
age, and has also succeeded to that of his 
father. His practice is general, but is in the 
main corporation law. He is attorney for the 
Central Railroad of Pennsylvania, of which he 
is also president : attorney for the Shamokin 
\'alley Telephone Coin|)any, and for the Sha- 
mokin & Mount Carmel Electric Railway. 
From April, 1891, to April, 1898, he was asso- 
ciated in practice with the Hon. S. P. Wolver- 
ton,a gentleman of distinction, whose life is re- 
corded elsewhere in this Book of Biographies. 
Col. Clement is a firm supporter of the Re- 
publican party and has frecjuently been called 
upon to serve in official capacity. For several 
3ears he was a member of the council of Sun- 
bury and was assistant burgess for one term. 
He was also borough solicitor and solicitor for 
the school board for several years, and is so- 
licitor for the overseers of the poor. On Octo- 
ber I, 1887, he was appointed corporation 
clerk of the State Department b_\- Charles W. 
Stone, and on November 29, 1890, was ap- 
pointed Deputy Secretary of the Common- 
wealth of Pennsylvania, in which capacity he 
served with credit. From 1879 to 1883 he 
served as secretary of the county committee 
of the Republican party, and from 1883 to 
1888 was chairman of the committee. He was 
one of the organizers of the Sunbury Guards, 
Company E, 12th Reg., N. G. P.. in 1877, 
entering the service as a private, and was pro- 
moted in regular order to a captaincy, an 
office to which he was three times elected — in 
1882, 1887, and in 1892. In 1896 he was elect- 
ed Major of the 12th Regiment and in 1898 
was elected Lieutenant-Colonel. Volunteering 
for service against Spain, he was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel of the 12th Reg., Pa. Vol. 
Inf., which was mustered out of service Octo- 
ber 28, 1898. Col. Clement's eldest son, John 



106 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Kay Clement, seventeen _\ears old, was a cor- 
j)oral in Company E of the same regiment. 

On November 19, 1879, Col. Clement was 
united in marriage to Alice Withington, a 
daughter of Martin J. 1). Withington, and 
they are the parents of four sons, John Kay, 
Martin W., Charles Frances and Therou Ball. 

Socially, Col. Clement is a member of the 
Sons of Veterans, Sons of the Re\'olution an;l 
the Society of the War of 1812. He also is a 
trustee of the Mary M. Packer Hospital at 
Sunbury. 

The publishers of this work take pleasure in 
announcing that portraits of Gen. John K. 
and Col. Charles M. Clement are presented 
(111 ])receding pages in connection with the 
abo\e life histories. 




XJS^I H.LIAM A. KENNEDY, a thrifty 
ami enterprising business man of 
Laporte, Pa., is foreman of the 
Union Tanning Company, of Laporte, a 
position for which he is \vell qualified, 
as he has been engaged in the tanning 
business nearly all his life, ha\-ing learned the 
trade during his boyhood days. The gentle- 
man whose biography we write was born at 
Camden, N. Y., August 21, 1857, and is a son 
of Jeremiah and Bridget (Luby) Kennedy and 
a grandson of Edward Kennedy. 

Jeremiah Kennedy, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born and reared in Turbal, County 
Roscommon, Ireland, and was the first of this 
branch of the Kennedy family to locate in the 
United States, coming here when a young 
man. He first settled in Schoharie County, 
N. Y., where he ])ursued his trade as a tanner 
and at dift'erent times was foreman for the 
tanning companies at Camden, N. Y.; Moose 
River, N. Y.; Port Leyden, N. Y.; Ledgedale, 
Pa.; Thorndale, Pa., and at Eaporte, where 



he resided until his death. In 1889 our sub- 
ject's father purchased the building used by 
Dr. Fleshet as a drug-store and also his dwell- 
ing and remodeled and enlarged the same 
into a hotel and conducted what is known to- 
day as the Commercial Hotel, which is now 
managed by his son, Thomas E., who took 
charge of it in September, 1894. Mr. Ken- 
ncd\' retiring on account of poor health. He 
passed from this life September 21, 1894, at 
the age of seventy-nine years. Mr. Kennedy 
was united in marriage to Bridget Luby, who 
was born in St. Charles, County Roscommon. 
Ireland. Her father came to America and set- 
tled on Staten Island, where he resided at the 
time of his death. The following children 
were the result of this marriage: Edward, a 
tanner by trade, wedded Maria Brown, and 
they are the parents of seven children, Ray- 
mond, Edward, Nellie, Robert, Donald, John, 
and Percy James, deceased; Mary, wife of Dr. 
E. S. C. Foster, with two children, Jeremiah 
and Solon; William A., the subject of this 
brief notice; Jerry, a tanner, of Titusville, Pa., 
joined in marriage with Lizzie Scanlon, with 
two children blessing their home, Genevieve 
and James Francis; Maggie, wife of George 
Nortz, and the following children have been 
reared by them, Lena, Ray, Ebe, Vincent, and 
Mary; John M., engaged in the laundry busi- 
ness; Thomas E., a prominent hotelkeeper, 
whose sketch may also be found in this Book 
of Biographies; and Annie, at home. 

Our subject was educated in the common 
schools and when a lad he l)egan to learn the 
tanner's trade, ser\-ing an apprenticeshii) with 
his father; under the instructions of his father 
he soon became cpiite proficient in that line 
and upon attaining his manhood he was made 
foreman of the Shaw Bros.' tannery at Grand 
Lake, Me. He then accepted a position for 
ihe same tirni at Lincoln, ]\Ie.: worked a short 




WILLIAM H. .\L (lkA^L 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



109 



time for Ferdinand A. Wyman, of Kingman, 
Me.; then for Henry Poor & Son; later went 
to Brace Bridge, Ontario, Can., wliere lie was 
foreman for the D. \V. Alexander Compan}-; 
he then returned to Maine, where he accepted 
the foremanship of the E. Church Tanning 
Company at Beddington. As the winters 
were very cold in Maine, Mr. Kennedy formed 
the hahit of visiting his father during the cold 
months, and while on one of his \'isits, in 1893, 
he secured the foremanship of the Laporte 
Tanning Company, and has occupied that po- 
sition to the present time, although the La- 
porte Tanning Companv has heen succeeded 
hy the Union Tanning Company. This tan- 
nery is one of the best and largest in the state 
and gives employment to over two hundred 
hands; sixty hands are employed in the tan- 
nery and also o\er 150 woodsmen, who cut 
and bring to the tannery about 600 tons 
of liark every year. Thirty teams are 
also constantly in use. The tanning 
buildings cover about eighty acres of 
land and the tannery is operated by steam 
power and has one hundred and fifty boi'ers 
and seventy engines. The hides all come from 
South America and are tanned and finished 
by the best of skilled labor and marketed at 
Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Mr. 
Kennedy has established an excellent and en- 
viable reputation as a foreman, giving entire 
satisfaction to the company, and is a favorite 
with the employees. He is also recognized as 
one of the valued members of the community 
and always supports enterprises that tend to 
advance the interests of his borough and 
county. 

Mr. Kennedy was united in matrimonial 
alliance with Rosanna Stubbs, a daughter of 
Bruce Stubbs, of Ontario. Can., and four chil- 
dren brighten and beautify the home of our 
subject and wife, namely: Rnv, Thomas, Vin- 



cent and Mary. Politically, Mr. Kennedy is a 
solid Democrat and has served in the town 

council and as overseer of the poor. Ueli- 
giously, he and his family are members of the 
I'ioman Catholic Church. 



|-rjS /^ILLIAM H. M. ORAM, attor- 
\y\/ ney-at-law, of Shamokin, whose re- 
Vi Vi cent portrait is presented on the op- 
posite page, was the first lawyer to practice in 
Shamokin, opening his office there when it 
was a town of but 2.500 population. His 
I)rilliant attainments and his ability as • a 
pleader have placed him in the first rank of 
the attorneys not only in Shamokin but in this 
state. He is recognized as a fluent and adept 
pleader, and so carefully and fully does he 
prepare his cases that he is admitted to be 
one of the most formidable men in the profes- 
sion in the state. Mr. Oram is a son of John 
F. and Louisa (Farr) Oram and was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., April 6, 1842. 

The ancestors of our subject on the paternal 
side were of Scotch stock and on the maternal 
.side of Irish extraction. His paternal ances- 
tors came to the United States prior to the 
War of the Revolution, but on the breaking 
out of that great struggle returned to Scot- 
land. The great-grandfather of our subject, 
Thomas Cooper Oram, remained in Philadel- 
phia and served during the Revolution in 
"Mad z\nthony" Wayne's division in the New 
Jersey line as an officer. He was for some 
years a resident near Bristol, Bucks County, 
Pa., where he had charge of farms owned by 
Nicholas Biddle, who was a prominent 
lianker, being president of the United States 
Bank, located where the custom house now 
stands, in Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Oram lived 
many years after the Revolution ended and 



no 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



took [jart in the parade and tlie reception ten- 
tiered Gen. Lafayette in J'liiiadelphia. 

William Oram, grandfather of the suhject of 
this review, was a native of l'hiladel])hia. Pa., 
where he was reared, lie was a soldier in the 
War of 1812 and died in camp at Richmond. 
\'a. He was a silversmith by trade. 

The father of our subject, John V. ( )ram, 
was born in the city of Philadelphia July 2, 
i(Sio, and was reared by his grandfather, 
Thomas Cooper Oram, in Bucks County. He 
engaged in the wholesale shoe business in 
I'hiladel])liia, which he followed ncarix' his en- 
tire business career, retiring in 1877. Subse- 
(|uently he migrated to Shamokin. Northum- 
berland County. He was a notary public and 
a'so an insurance agent. He passed to his final 
rest in 1895. Mr. Oram was a man of ])Ositi\e 
religious beliefs and for many years an ardent 
church member, serving some time as a dea- 
con in the church of which he was a member. 

Our subject's mother was born February 
14, 1815, and was a member of the old Jack- 
son familv. She traced her ancestry to those 
of the Revolutionary ]jeriod, who were among 
the earliest settlers and Quaker stock of Ches- 
ter County, this state. Her grandfather 
fought at Brandywine and one of his brothers 
was taken prisoner by the British and sent to 
I'"ngland, where he was confined in Ports- 
tnouth Prison until the war ended. Mrs. 
( )ram's father, Joseph Farr, was a tailor by 
trade and resided near Kennett Square. To 
the couple were born three sons and three 
daughters, as follows: Josephine, who is the 
wife of Thomas M. Helm, of Shamokin; Wil- 
liaiu H. M., the subject of this sketch; James 
R., who is a resident of Philadelphia and is 
head clerk for tlic John Hancock Tee Com- 
pany, served in the Kebellion for a year as 
a member of the Keystone Battery; John A.. 
now of Newjiort News, Va.; Clara, widow of 



Theodore F. Nields, who is now a public 
school teacher in Shamokin; and Frances \'., 
w ho died in infancy. 

Our subject received his primarv education 
in the public schools of Philadel])hia and grad- 
uated from the high school in that cit_\- at the 
age of twenty years, receiving the degree of 
B. A., and subsetjuently the degree of AI. A., 
from that institution. He then entered the 
law office of Daniel Doughertv. the distin- 
guished attorney and remarkably elocpient 
orator, in the Quaker City, and studied under 
his guidance for two vears. He ])ursued his 
third \ear of study of law in the office of John 
Hanna. also a leading lawyer of that city, 
at the same time attending the law depart- 
ment of the University of Pennsylvania, from 
which he graduated. Pie was admitted to the 
bar .\]3ril 15, 1865. ]\Ir. Oram immediately 
remoxed to Shamokin, where he o])ened 
an office, the first lawyer to locate in the 
town. He has since practiced his profession 
continuously in Shamokin, a period of thirty- 
four ye.irs. He was admitted to practice 
in the L'nited States Court in t8()7 ami to 
l)racticc in the Supreme Court of this stale 
in 1 87 1. An indefatigable student and a 
hard worker, Mr. Oram soon accpiired an 
excellent reputation and a lucratixe busi- 
ness, being unusually successful from the be- 
ginning of his practice. Gifted rarely with elo- 
(juent speech, a keen analyst of human pas- 
sions and motives, Mr. Oram ])owerfully and 
convincing1\' sways jurors in presenting an 
argument. He is constantly engaged and has 
a very large general practice. In March. 1877, 
our suliject was appointed receiver of the 
Northumberland County National Bank by 
John J. Kno.x. then Com])troller of Currency 
of the United States, and he successfully 
wound up the affairs of the institution. Since 
1 87 1 Mr. Oram has been attornev for the Min- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



Ill 



eral Railroad & Mining Company; he has for 
a numljer of years acted as attorney for the 
well-know firm. J. Langdon & Company, and 
for seventeen years he was attorney for the 
borough of Shamokin. 

In his youth Mr. Oram identified himself 
with the Republican party and for years his 
time and elTorts ha\-e been devoted to ad- 
vancing the interests of that party and de- 
fending its princii)les and measures. He has 
been prominent in party councils and as a 
speaker has a reputation of being one of the 
most elocpient and forceful ever heard in cam- 
paigns in this state. Several times he has been 
honored by his j^arty in being a nominee for 
ofifice. He was the Republican candidate for 
the judgeship in his district in 1891; in 1876 
he was a candidate for senator from his dis- 
trict, but was defeated for nomination by a 
combination of the sort which is common in 
politics; in 1881 he was an aspirant for the 
position of president judge, but, by agreement 
with two other candidates, withdrew from the 
contest for nomination; he frequent!}' has 
served as a delegate to conventions. 

On March 4, 1866, Mr. Oram was united in 
marriage to Lavinia E., daughter of Joseph 
\\'. Jones, of Pottsville, Pa. To them seven 
children were born, as follows: Ivatharine, 
deceased, who was the wife of Charles E. 
Byers; Frances Virginia; Lavinia E.. the wife 
of Joseph H. W'heat, who is connected with 
the Geological Survey, a bureau of the De- 
partment of the Interior at \\'ashington, D. 
C. ; Clara W'., who is at home: John F., a stu- 
dent in the University of ^Michigan, where 
he is studying law; and Louisa and William, 
the youngest son, who both died in infancy. 
Our subject adopted a grandson, \Mlliam. 
who assumed his grandfather's name. Oram. 
The family are members of the Episcopal 
Church of Shamokin. Mr. Oram is one of the 



leading and most active members of the Penn- 
sylvania State Bar Association and is presi- 
dent of the Northumberland County Bar As- 
sociation. 

Mr. Oram is unusually well versed in liter- 
ary matters, being an eager reader and a deep 
tliinker. He possesses an uncommonly fine 
miscellaneous library, which is one of the lar- 
gest, if not the largest, private libraries in this 
section of the state. He also owns a very ex- 
tensive and complete law librarv. Mr. Oram 
is thoroughly ecjuipped. owing to his wide 
range of reading, upon all subjects upon which 
full and accurate knowledge is of ereat value 
in the successful practice of his jjrofession. 
His store of apt and forcible anecdote is in- 
exhaustible and he is ever ready with quota- 
tions from standard works, which frequently 
ser\-e most effectivelv to powerfully clinch an 
argument. In his library, after the labor of 
his daily office and court work, our subject 
spends much of his time — his books, with his 
charming family, being his most intimate 
friends. 



ACOB R. REISER, one or the most 
prominent pioneers of Northumber- 
land County, Pa., retired from active 
business in 1893 after an unusually successful 
career, beginning to earn his livelihood as a 
teamster, subsequently engaging in the groc- 
ery business and finally winning profitable 
success as a coal operator. He is a member of 
a very prominent family and is looked upon 
as a self-made man who is an honor to his 
family, to himself and to Shamokin where he 
has long resided. Our subject is a son of 
Henry and Catherine (Reaker) Reiser, and 
was born in Coal township, Northumberland 
County, Pa., May i, 1845. 

The grandfather of our subject. Henry 



112 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Keiser, was of German origin and was born 
June 25, 1784. He came into Northumber- 
land County from Union, to which he mi- 
grated from Berks County, and finally settled 
in the Irish Valley, spending the remainder <if 
his days as a farmer until his demise, Novem- 
ber 13, 1864. His wife, grandmother of our 
subject, was born August 5, 1781, and passed 
to her rest Octolier 11, 1852. 

Henry Keiser, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in 181 1 and resided all his 
lifetime in Northumberland County, being a 
resident of Shamokin at his demise in 1873. 
He located in Shamokin some time before the 
birth of Jacob R., and for years was engaged 
in business as a general merchant. Religious- 
ly he was a member of the Evangelical 
Church. He married Catherine Reaker and 
their union was blessed by six children. 

Our subject was able to obtain but limited 
primary education and early in life started out 
to win his way by engaging in teaming, which 
business he followed for several years. He 
then engaged in coal operating in Coal town- 
ship, his first operations being at the Lancas- 
ter Colliery with William C. Smith as co- 
partner under the tirm name, Smith & Keiser. 
This colliery subsequently was named the Col- 
bert Colliery and it was operated continuous- 
Iv by Smith & Keiser until the latter retired 
from active business in 1893. a period of twen- 
ty-three years of successful and profitable 
operation. Prior to entering the field as a 
coal operator Mr. Keiser engaged in the 
grocery business with his brother, Henry H., 
in which he yet retains his interest. On Sep- 
tember 7, 1866, our subject married Ennna E. 
Smith, daughter of William C. Smith, his co- 
partner in the coal business. To them have 
been born five children as follows : William 
H., who is an engineer by occujiation; Frank 
M., also an engineer, residing in Alichigan; 



Warren M., who is at the family home in 
Shamokin: and Malcolm and Ray, who died 
when quite young. In politics our subject 
is a Republican, but has never sought office. 
Henry H. Keiser, brother of the subject 
written of above and one of the leading busi- 
ness men of Shamokin, was born in Coal 
township, Northumlterland County, Pa., Sep- 
tember 30, 1849. ^^^ obtained such common 
school education as he could by attending 
school three months in each year and when 
about seventeen years of age he, as had his 
brother Jacob, began to earn a living as a 
teamster. He was in the employ of Charles 
1). Hanuner and Daniel Weaver of Shamo- 
kin as a dri\er for about '.wo years. In 1868 
Henry branched out for himself, engaging in 
the green grocery business in Shamokin, 
which business he has continued until the 
present time and has de\'e!oped until it has 
become large, prosperous and the longest- 
established of its kind in the town. Politically 
Mr. Keiser is a Republican and has served 
creditably twfi terms as a member of the bor- 
ough council. He is a member of Shamokin 
Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M., and also of In- 
dependence Fire Company of which he is 
treasurer. When our sul)ject abandoned 
"single blessedness" he took as his life-partner 
Elizabeth (iilger, daughter of Jonas L. Gilger, 
one of the pioneers of Norlhunil)erIand Coun- 
ty. Five children have been the fruit of their 
union: Katie, Harry, Claude, Howard and 
Rena. 



2)1 ON. RUSSELL KARNS, a retired 
"^1 citizen of Benton, Columbia County. 
Pa., formerly of Laporte, Sullivan 
County, Pa., was for many years one of the 
leading business men of Laporte township 
and was proprietor of the Laporte Hotel, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



113 



which was recently burned, it being the most 
popular hotel in the county. He is a son of 
Peter and Mary (Singer) Karns, and was born 
at Benton, Benton township, Columbia 
County, Pa., March 17, 1842. 

John Karns, the grandfather of our subject, 
was an early settler in Benton township, Co- 
lumbia County, where he purchased a tract 
of uncultivated land, which he cleared. He 
later disposed of this estate, now owned by 
Charles Ash, Esq., and moved to Steuben 
County, N. Y., following farming the rest of 
his active life and spending the last few years 
of his life in retirement with his son Peter. 
He lived to reach an adxanced age and was 
thrice married, having the following children : 
Peter, Jacob, Daniel ami John by his first wife: 
he also reared Isaac, Henry, Tunis, William 
and two daughters by his second wife. 

Peter Karns, the father of our subject, was 
born in Columbia County, Pa., and at an early 
age took to agricultural pursuits. His wife 
had an uncultivated tract of land left to her by 
her father, which he cleared and then built 
a log-house, in which his family was reared. 
This land is now owned by Daniel Karns. a 
brother of our subject. Peter Karns married 
Mary Singer, a daughter of William Singer, 
and they both lived to reach an old age. 

Russell Karns, the subject of this review, 
was reared on a farm and attended the public 
schools, receiving a good education mainly 
through his individual efforts in taking advan- 
tage of every opportunity which presented it- 
self for his advancement. Starting out for him- 
self he learned the trade of a painter, at first 
confining his work simply to house painting, 
but he later entered the employ of The Jack- 
son & Woodin Manufacturing Company, at 
Berwick, as a car painter. He next accepted 
contracts for boat i)ainting at Espvtowii^, Co- 
lumbia County, and while there assisted in re- 



cruiting Coinpany E of the 209th Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Inf., enlisting himself as second lieuten- 
ant. He served as such to the close of the war 
and was mustered out in June, 1865. He re- 
turned to Benton and followed his trade in 
connection with farming, j)urchasing a farm. 
\\ hich he has since owned. He erected a com- 
plete set of new buildings and so improved it 
otherwise that it became one of the best farms 
in Columbia County. In 1879 Mr. Karns rent- 
ed the Benton Hotel, then known as the Ike- 
ler House, and conducted it for one year. His 
success during that time was such as to war- 
rant him in leasing the large Laporte Hotel at 
Eaporte, Sulli\-an County. There his success 
continued and after a period of two years he 
])urchased it and made many improvements. 
It was a handsome structure, three stories 
high and contained forty-seven large and well- 
furnished bedrooms, and was fitted with every 
convenience that could be arranged for the 
convenience of his guests. It was a very pop- 
ular place with transients and during terms of 
court he had more patrons than he could well 
accommodate. His business continued to 
prosper and he conducted it until 1884 when, 
owing to the great strain which his many 
duties devolving upon him, he went to Hot 
Springs, Ark., to recuperate. The hotel in 
Laporte was rented, after he gave up the busi- 
ness, until it was destroyed by fire on March 
25, 1898. He then disposed of the lot to F. 
W. Gallagher, Esq. In private life our subject 
is held in as high esteem as in business circles 
and has many friends throughout Sullivan 
and Columbia counties. 

Our subject was united in matrimonial 
lionds to Elmira Cole, who was born April 4, 
1848, and is a daughter of William Cole, of 
Benton township. Their union has been 
blessed by six children : Sedgwick B., an 
attorney at Benton, born November 14, 186S, 



114 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



married Carrie Keeler, by whom lie has two 
cliildren, — Helen and Rnth; Nora Bell, born 
Se])tember ii, 1870, died in infancy; Corene 
A., born April 22, 1878, widow of R. M. Stor- 
mont; Harry Allen, a student, born Septem- 
ber 9, 1874: Florence A., deceased, born De- 
cenil)cr i, 1875: and Hazel P., deceased, born 
January 10, 1887. Politically, Mr. Karns is 
an enthusiastic Democrat and has served as 
school director of Benton, and as burgess, 
school director and member of the council 
at Laportc. In 1890 he was honored by a seat 
in the State Legislature and served during 
iX(ji and 1892. Religiously, he is a member 
of the Christian Church, whilst his wife is af- 
lili.'Ued uilh the I^piscopal Church. 




AMUEL HOUCK is one of the enter- 
l^rising and successful farmers of 
Briarcreck township, Columbia 
County, Pa., who makes a specialty of raising 
])oultry. He was born in Easton, North- 
am])ton County, Pa., June 6, 1838. and is a 
son of John and Julia (Stair) Houck. and a 
grandson of John Houck. 

John Houck, grandfather of our subject, 
was of German descent and was one of the 
well-to-do agriculturists of Northampton 
County. He was the progenitor of a large 
faniilv of children ;ui(l two of his sons. Samuel 
and Jeremiah, were veterans of the Rebellion. 
John Houck, the father of our subject, was 
born in Northampton Count}', Pa., and dur- 
ing his younger days learned the trade of a 
carpenter, .\mong his first efforts at his trade 
was the erection of a Methodist church which 
he, in conjunction with six others, undertook 
to l)uild without resources other than their 
own hands and a determination to succeed. 
Attaining his majority he moved to Luzerne 
County, Pa., and in addition to following his 



trade, he successfully carried on farming. In 
1872 he moved to Briarcreek township, Co- 
lumbia County, where he spent the remainder 
of his life, passing away July i, 1885, at the 
age of se\'enty-si.x years. In politics he was 
formerly a Whig, but being a strong .\l)ol- 
itionist, when the Whig party was abandoned, 
he joined the ranks of the Republican party. 
He was an ardent supporter of the free school 
system, and secured the appointment, by the 
court of Luzerne County, of a school lioard in 
his township. He himself served on this 
board, which forced the levy of a school tax 
against a then common prejudice. Mr. Houck 
was joined in the bonds of wedlock to Julia 
Stair, a daughter of George Stair, who was 
a stone-mason and farmer residing in North- 
ampton County, Pa. To this hapjiy union the 
following children were born : Mary Ann, 
who died at the age of fifteen years: Julia; 
om- subject. Samuel; Sarah, a resident of 
W'ilkesbarre. Pa.: Florence Elizaljeth, de- 
ceased, who taught school twenty-one years 
and at the age of thirty-seven years passed 
from this life; and John W., who is in the 
employ of The Jackson & Woodin Manufac- 
turing Company of Berwick. 

Samuel Houck was l)rought up on his 
father's farm and received his early schooling 
in his native town. He has been engaged in 
farming and lumbering all his life and for some 
\ears was engaged in merchandisingand huck- 
stering in Slocum township, Luzerne County. 
In 1874 our subject came to Briarcreek town- 
ship where he purchased a fine and productive 
farm consisting of one hundred acres. He has 
made many improvements since it came into 
his possession, and it now ranks among the 
best farms in the townsliip. Mr. Houck makes 
a specialty of raising poultry, small fruit grow- 
ing, and dairying, and is considered to be 
one of the leadins"' farmers of his connnunitv. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



115 



. Our subject takes an active part in local 
politics and is a firm supporter of the Repub- 
lican party: he was the first Republican judge 
of elections of Briarcreek township and also 
served as a school director in Luzerne and 
also in Columbia counties, for manv years. 
On July 12. 1862, Mr. Houck was wedded to 
Jane J. Lutsey, a daughter of the late William 
Lutsey, who was one of the leading farmers 
and business men of Slocum township. Lu- 
zerne County. To Air. and Airs. Houck was 
born a family of four children, as follows: 
Ulysses Grant, William Lutsey, John Wesley, 
and Harry M. Ulysses was graduated from 
the Dickinson Seminary and, entering upon 
his life's work, was engaged as a school teacli- 
cr for four years. He then took a course in 
the Veterinary Department of the University 
of Pennsylvania, and since 1895 has Ijeen a 
government meat inspector, now located at 
Siou-x City, Iowa. \\'illiam L. is a graduate 
from the Berwick High School and from the 
Dickinson Seminary, class of "93; he is now 
vice-principal of the Berwick High School. 
John Wesley and Harry M. are both gradu- 
ates of the Berwick High School, and are 
teachers and also students of dentistry in the 
University of Pennsylvania. Air. Houck has 
won an excellent reputation for square deal- 
ing, unswerving integrity, and for the many 
qualities which are component parts of true 
manhood. His neighbors testify to his repu- 
tation and he is thoroughly respected and 
liked by all of them. His excellent judgment 
and his sound common sense have made him 
prominent in the conmnmitv in wliicli he re- 
sides. 

'*-^»-^ 

\LPn R. JOHN, a well-equipped and 
iromising young attorney and a 
worthy and esteemed citizen of 
the town of Bloomsburg, was born in Maine 




township, Columbia County, Pa., December 
20, 1870, and is a son of Jonas Wesley and 
Sarah C. (Brown) John, a grandson of Stacy 
and Mary (Yocum) John, great-grandson of 
Abraham John, and great-great-grandson of 
Isaac John. 

Isaac John was one of the pioneer settlers 
of Columbia County, having located in Maine 
township in 1778. He purchased a large tract 
of land, which was covered by a dense forest, 
and felled trees and built a log cabin. He 
cleared a part of his farm and engaged in the 
cultivation of the soil the rest of his active 
da\s. He was united in marriage to Margaret 
I'rong and they reared the following children : 
Jacol), Abraham, Isaac, David, (ieorge, and 
fnc daughters. 

Abraham John was reared on his father's 
farm in Maine township and assisted his father 
in the labors about the old homestead. He 
was joined in wedlock to Alary Flick, who 
bore him a family of seven children, namely: 
Stacy, the grandfather of our subject; 
George: Hiram; Lovina; Angeline; Alary 
.\.: and Sarah J. 

Stacy John, the grandfather of our subject, 
was born on the old homestead in Alaine 
township in 1813, was reared to agricultural 
pursuits and successfully followed the calling 
of a farmer all his life. After a life of industry 
he passed from this earth in 1879, leaving a 
large estate, which he bequeathed to his chil- 
dren. He was wedded to Alary Yocum, a 
daughter of John A'ocum, a prominent farmer 
of Roaring Creek township, Columbia 
County. As a result of this union the follow- 
ing children were born : \\' illiam, who died 
in his childhood days; J. Wesley, the father of 
our subject; Sarah, deceased; Frease, de- 
ceased; Britton, also deceased; and Alinerva, 
who is the wife of .\aron Goo\'er. 

Jonas Wesley John, the father of our sub- 



116 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ject, was born on tlie old liomestead Septem- 
l)er 12, 1840, and durini;^ his boyhood days at- 
tended tlie (Hstrict school and assisted his 
father in the cultivation of the soil. Attaining 
bis majority be purchased a farm in ]\Iaine 
township and has devoted his entire attention 
to agricultural pursuits. He also owns consid- 
erable property in the town of Bloomsburg. 
Mr. Jdhn formed a matrimonial alliance with 
Sarah C. Brown, a daughter of Jacob Brown, 
a resident of Maine township, and to this 
unicin were born eight children, namely: Bes- 
sie; Ida: David: Ralph R., the subject of this 
l)iogra])hical sketch: Jacob; Daisy, the wife of 
L. B. Zimmerman; \\'ilson: and Sally. Mr. 
and Mrs. John are active mendiers of the 
Methodist Church; politically, our subject's 
father is a strong temperance man and firmly 
upliolds the principles of the Prohibition 
party. 

Ralph R. John received his primary educa- 
tion in the i)ublic schools of his native town 
and at the age of seventeen )-ears entered the 
Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., tak- 
ing a scientific course, and was graduated 
from that institution in 1890. He then taught 
school at Elysburg .\cademy in Xorthuml)er- 
land County until 1893 and then removed to 
Bloomsburg and began the study of law in 
the office of L. S. Winterstein. He faithfully 
pursued his legal studies and was admitted to 
the bar September 30, 1895. He opened an 
ottice on the corner of Second and ^Market 
streets, wliere he entered ujion the practice of 
his profession. He is a thorough student, is 
methodical and industrious in all the detail of 
his business, both public and private, and has 
\\(in an enxiable position in the front ranks 
of his profession. 

Mr. John chose for his life-companion Sally 
C. Schweppenheiser, a daughter of Eleazer 
Schweiipcnbeiscr, and they were happilv wed- 



ded November 10, 1896. ]\lr. and Mrs. John 
are popular members of the I\Iethodist 
Church. 






MOODY, M. D., who for over 
quarter of a century has been 
a leading and successful practitioner of medi- 
cine in Sunljury and adjacent towns, is a son 
of Capt. Robert and ^^lary (Wilson) ]\Ioody, 
and was born in Dauphin County, Pa., August 
31. 1834. 

The family is of Irish descent and the name 
was originally spelled Moodey. but in latter 
years the "e" has been omitted by luost of the 
family. The jjaternal grandfather of Dr. 
Moody was Robert Moody, who was for many 
years a resident of South Hanover township, 
Dauphin County, where he owned and culti- 
vated a large farm. He remained upon the 
farm until his death on December 13, 1838, at 
the age of eighty-six years. After his demise 
the farm was di\ided between his three sons, 
Joseph, Robert, and John, the latter of whom 
is pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ship- 
])en.sburg, Pa. 

Capt. Robert Moody, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born on the old homestead and re- 
sided there all of his life, engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits in which he attained more than 
an ordinary degree of success. He passed 
away May 26, 1850, in the sixty-fifth year of 
his age, and now lies buried in the southeast 
corner of the Derry Churchyard, east of Har- 
risburg. Pa. He served through the War of 
1 812 with the rank of captain. Religiously 
he was a member of the Presbyterian Church 
at Derry and filled many of the offices of that 
organization, taking an active part in every 
movement for the advancement and upbuild- 
ing of the church. He married Mrs. ^lorri- 
son, nee \\'ilson, and they were the parents 




ANTHONY GOLEMBIKWSKI. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



11!) 



of four children, two sons and two daughters. 

Dr. Moody obtained a good academic e(Ui- 
cation in Tuscarora Academy at Port Royal, 
and in 1857 entered upon the study of medi- 
cine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. R. 
Uniberger of Dauphin, Pa. After completing 
the retpiired course of reading, he matricu- 
lated in the Medical Department of Pennsyl- 
vania College of Philadelphia, from which 
institution he was graduated in 1861. Dur- 
ing the same year he located at McAlister- 
ville, Juniata County, and there practiced until 
the fall of 1862. After his marriage he moved 
to Washingtonville, Montour County, where 
he successfully practiced until the spring of 
1870 when he moved to Sunbury, his present 
abode and field of practice. He is a member 
of the Northumberland County Medical So- 
ciety of which he is treasarer. Dr. Moody 
has been a close student of the leading medi- 
cal literature of his time and has ke])t him- 
self abreast of the ad\-ancement and progress 
of medical science. Careful and conscientious 
in his practice, accurate and skilful in the 
diagnosis and treatment of diseases, he easily 
takes rank among the leading physicians of 
Northumberland and adjoining counties. 

On January 14. 1862, Dr. Moody and 
Louisa Sharon of Juniata County were hap- 
pily wedded and to their union two child- 
ren were born: Jane A., the wife of Frank 
Harkins of Sunliury; and Sarah S.. who died 
Septemljer 25, 1894. Religiously Dr. Jiloody 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church of 
which he has been elder for many years. Mrs. 
Moody died February 25. 1889. aged fifty- 
seven vears. 




NTHONY GOLEMBIEWSKI, a re- 
cent portrait of whom we take pleas- 
ure in presenting on the o])posite 
page, is manager and stockholder of the Po- 



lish Lithuanian Brewing Company of Dan- 
ville, Pa., which is one of the largest brew- 
ing companies in Central Pennsylvania and 
has a reputation for turning out first-class 
lager beer, porter and the purest of ale. Our 
subject was born in Jejsorki. Po'and, May 12, 
1863, and is a son of Thomas Golembiewski. 

Thomas Golembiewski. the father of our 
subject was born in Poland and resided in his 
native country all his life, engaged in the pur- 
suits of an agriculturist. He was the pro- 
genitor of a large family of children, one of 
whom was .\nthony, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch. 

Anthony Golembiewski was reared and ed- 
ucated in his native country and at the age 
of nineteen years inmiigrated to the L^nited 
States and locateil in New York City. He 
moved to Hazleton, Pa., a short time later and 
engaged in the brick-making lousiness, and 
later in mining in the same town. Mo\ing to 
Luzerne County, Pa., he located in Nanticoke, 
where he embarked in the hotel business, 
which he continued until June 12. 1895, when 
he removed to Danville and with P. H. Coyne, 
Thomas Butkiewicz, president, John Zukoski, 
treasurer, and Simon Savage, charter mem- 
bers, purchased the aboxx-named brewing 
company of P. P. Smith, assignee of the Po- 
lfsh-i\merican Brewing Company. The plant 
is located at Nos. 16 to 34 Spring street; the 
main building is a four-story structure; the 
machinery in this building is set in motion by 
a large engine which has two boilers, one a 
JOG horse-power and the other a 60 horse- 
power; in the ice plant is stored a large 
(|uantity of barley and hops; the cold-storage 
room contains the cooling vats, twelve in all, 
which have a capacity of 150 barrels each. 
The company manufactures about eighteen 
thou.sand barrels of beer per annum ; has a 
large supply-house at Scranton, Pa., where 



120 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



iIrtl- is a great (kniiand for its l)eer; ami gives 
(•iii|)luynient to forty iiands, and has sixteen 
line teams wliich arc kept eonstanlly hnsy dc- 
li\ ering tlirougliuut the city. 

Mr. Golembiewski was united in marriage 
to Julia Uszinski, a daughter of Simon Uszin- 
ski of Xanticoke. Pa., and they are the par- 
ents of ten cliiUh-en. as follows: Stanley, 
Anthony, Annie. \"ictoria, Charles, Vincent, 
and Mary; and Atlam, Joseph, and Frank, 
deceased. Our subject and his family are 
popular members of the German Catholic 
Church of Danville. Mr. Golembiewski is one 
of the most ]>rominent and hustling business 
men of Dan\ille. and is held in high esteem by 
his fellow-citizens and ac(|uaintances. 



f^u 



F.XERAL GEORGE B. CADWAL- 
\^^J_ L.\DER, who made a brilliant and 
interesting record in the Ci\il War, 
is one of the most progressive and promi- 
nent business men of Sunbury, being super- 
intendent of the Sunbury Water Company, 
one of the foremost industries of the borough. 
Ele is a son of Dr. Peter and Hannah (Magill) 
Cadwallader, and was born in Doylestown, 
Bucks County, I'a.. October 20, 1830. 

Oiu" subject's ])arents were both natives of 
Bucks County and were of Scotch ancestry. 
Dr. Peter Cadwallader died in 1832 and his 
wife survived him to the ripe age of eigiity 
\ears. Their Ii;i])pv union resulted in the birth 
of four children, three sons and one daughter, 
our subject, George B., being the only one 
now living. 

George B. Cadwallader was reared in Bucks 
County and there received his preliminary ed- 
ucational training, but subsequently attended 
the 1 )an\ille Acadcnu- in l)an\ille. Montour 



Count \ 



later decideil to follow the 



profession of a druggist and. entering the 
Phila(lel])bia College of i'harmacy, graduated 
from that institiUion and engaged in the drug 
business at Dan\ille. He followed that busi- 
ness there until 1857, when be established a 
drug-store at Shamokin and continued with 
much success until the outbreak of the Civil 
War. In April. iSfn, he enlisted as 1st lieu- 
tenant of Com])any .\, 8th Reg.. Pa. \'ol. 
Inf. He served for three months and then re- 
enlisted, with tlie same rank, in Company K, 
46th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf. He was ever a 
\villing and conscientious soldier ami his rise 
in the ranks was steady. On September 17, 
i86i, he was ist lieutenant arid (|uartermas- 
ter of his regiment, and ser\ed in tliat ca])acit\' 
until July, 1863, when he was advanced to 
captain and assistant-quartermaster, V. S. .\. 
In March, 1865, he was brcvetted major and 
lieutenant-colonel, and afterwards was brev- 
etted colonel for bis meritorious services 
throughout the war. In N^ovember, 1865, for 
faithful and efficient services in the ipiarter- 
master's de]3artment, he was bre\etted briga- 
dier-general, which rank be held until his dis- 
charge. During this period be was quarter- 
master of Williams' Brigade, .\rmy of Vir- 
ginia; quartermaster of the ist ISrigade, 2d 
Corps, Army of Virginia; (|uarlermaster of 
the 1st Brigade, ist Division, i2tli Corps, 
Army of the Potomac; post-quartermaster 
at Dechert, Tenn., and .\tlanta, Ga.; was in 
cliarge of transportation on Sherman's mem- 
orable inarch to the .\tlantic Coast: in charge 
of the (|uartf rmaster's depots at Cleveland, 
Ohio, and Riclnuond, \'a.; and in charge of 
the national cemeteries at Seven Pines, Fair 
Oaks, and Htjllywood. He was finally mus- 
tered out of service, September 10, 1866, at 
Richmond, \'a. 

.\ftcr the close of the war Gen. Cadwalla- 
der locateil at Sunbnrv and entered the floiu' 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



121 



and feed business in association witli his 
Ijrotiier, Jolm. tlie rtrni name heins^ Jolui M. 
Cadwaliader & Company. They operated 
three mills in ditterent sections of the county 
and did a large and paying business. In 1869 
our subject purchased the drug-store con- 
ducted by Dr. John G. Markle & Company in 
Sunbury and followed that business with 
good results until 1884. He then became con- 
nected with the Sunbury Nail, Bar & Guide 
Iron Manufacturing Company, in the capacity 
of general superintendent, and faithfully 
served as such until 1891. In that year he 
acceptetl a position as superintendent of the 
Sunbury Water Company, and the success 
which has attended his efiforts as such is clear- 
ly evidenced by the prosperous condition of 
the company to-day. He is a man of keen 
intellect, a shrewd manager of business affairs, 
and is ever faithful to the best interests of the 
firm which he represents. In the private walks 
of life he is equally popular as in business cir- 
cles, and his friends and acquaintances 
throughout the county are numerous. 

In 1870 Gen. Cadwaliader was united in 
marriage with Mrs. Georgiana (Markle) Wol- 
verton, and they became the parents of two 
daughters : Mary and Anna. He was bereaved 
of the companionship of his beloved wife by 
death on Alay 9. 1885. Socially our subject 
is a member of Sunbury Lodge. Xo. 22, F. & 
A. M.; Northumberland Chapter. No. 174, 
H. R. A.; the Loyal Legion of the United 
States; and is prominent in the G. A. R. He 
assisted in organizing the first G. A. R. post 
in Sunbury and was chosen its first command- 
er. Religiously the General is a believer in 
the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church. 




H. FURMANN is recognized as a 
public spirited citizen of Shamokin. 
progressive, highly educated and 
He is at the head of one of the largest and 



most important pursuits which have so great- 
ly contributed to the prosperity and advance- 
ment of the town as a conmiercial and manu- 
facturing center. 

Our subject was born in Ba\aria in 1863, 
received a thorough education and graduated 
from a college at Frankenthal, Germany. 
After leaving college he assumed a responsible 
position with Kline. Shanzlein & Becker of 
Frankenthal. manufacturers of brewing ma- 
chinery, thus gaining extensive and valuable 
knowledge of the machinery used in and of 
the brewing business which he has well util- 
ized. In 1880 Mr. Furmann came to this coun- 
try and accepted the responsible position of 
superintendent for the Charles D. Kaie Brew- 
ing Co., at Mahanoy City. So efificientl\ did 
he apply his knowledge of brewing and so 
wisely did he manage the affairs of the con- 
cern that the business was surprisingly in- 
creased and he was rewarded by being taken 
into the firm in 1892, remaining a member un- 
til his removal to Shamokin. 

Mr. Furmann was married to Caroline B. 
Hahn of Philadelphia on November 3, 1896, 
and to them has been born one son, Harry, 
born October 3, 1897. ^Ii'- Furmann is a 
prominent member of the Benevolent Order 
of Protective Elks. 

Our subject is to-day at the head of one of 
the most modern and most complete brewing 
plants in the state which is regarded as a great 
credit to the commercial progress of Shamo- 
kin, as well as a fitting monument to the en- 
ergy, skill and integrity of Mr. Furmann. 
Away back in 1855, when beer was a new 
beverage in Shamokin. the brewery was 
founded by Gottleib Fritz, being a compara- 
tively insignificant concern with a small out- 
put. Not until 1 87 1, when Martin Markle 
secured control of the plant, were improve- 
ments made which were of significance and 



122 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



then the capacity was so increased as to afford 
an output of 10,000 l)arrcls per annum. On 
Marcli I, 1895, our subject laecamc the pro- 
jirietor of tiic l)re\\ cr_\- l>y |)urcliase and he im- 
mediately added improxed machinery and 
modern methods and infu.sed new Hfe into the 
entcr])rise, doubling the output of beer in a 
brief lime. Being an astute and progressive 
man Mr. Furmann determined to meet the 
demands of the lower anthracite coal fields 
and added to his already large business the 
manufacture of ale and porter, the output of 
which averages about 5,000 barrels per an- 
num. Our subject remained sole proprietor 
of the business until October i, 1896, when 
Mr. Max Schmidt joined him. The brewery 
since has been conducted imder the firm 
name Furmann & Schmidt. The new firm 
erecteil at Washington and Commerce 
streets a fine two-story, brick, cold storage 
house and bottling works which is 75 feet 
square and architecturally handsome. In this 
building also are the finely finished offices of 
the firm, and adjacent to it the large stal)les. 



[^ I':\'IX U. FUNK, one of the leading 
barristers of Columbia County, is one 
of the most prominent men of 
I'loomsburg. He has been closely identified 
with many enterprises which have added to 
the growth and wealth of the town and given 
it a prestige as a thriving business center. He 
is a son of Rev. Henry and Matilda (Snyder) 
Funk, and was born in Bloomsburg in 1852. 

Rev. Henry Funk, the deeds of whose short 
life remain fresh in the memory of those for 
will mi he labored, was born near Hagerstown, 
Md., May 7, 1816, and was reared under reli- 
gious influences in his youth, the foundation 
then ])eiiig laid for his subsequent work in the 
cause of humanilx-. Fndowed Ijv nature with 



a superior intellect, he improved every op- 
portunity and recci\ed a high education. He 
was eighteen years oi age when he entered 
Marshall College at Mercersburg. Pa., and he 
was graduated in 1841, immediately afterward 
entering the Theological Seminary of the Re- 
formed Church. Ha\ing spent a period of 
nine years in these two institutions he was 
licensed to preach, and for the first six months 
occupied the pulpit of the Bloomsburg charge 
during the absence of the regular pastor. In 
the fall of 1844 he was called to Bloomsburg 
as assistant English pastor to Rev. D. L. To- 
bias, and on December 8tli, of the same year, 
he was ordained to the ministry and installetl 
in his charge at Orange ville, Pa., by Rev. E. 
Keiffer and Rev. H. Harbough, who were a 
committee appointed by the Sus(iuehrmna 
Ciassis. His field was a large one, but with 
unflagging zeal and devotion he faithfully dis- 
charged his pastoral duties for a period of 
ten years, or until the dread usurper in the 
form of slow consumption deprived him of his 
strength. He died April 16, 1855, and was 
buried in the grounds of the Reformed 
Church of Hagerstown, Md. He lived a life 
of self-sacrifice, wholly for others, and his ac- 
complishments were but the foundation which 
made possible greater deeds in the hands of 
his successor. His devotion to the cause of 
Christianity was always evident and it is said 
that he prepared a sermon for each day of the 
year. The church relied upon him, the town 
respected him, and his friends lox'ed him. His 
pleasant face, kind maimer and good heart 
endeared him to all with whom he came in 
contact. His maxim was that of the old Earl 
of Devonshire: "I shall pass this way but 
once; if, therefore, there be any good I can 
do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow- 
being, let me do it now." And many a neigh- 
bor and friend can bear witness to his kindiv 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



123 



words and deeds. He was united in marriage 
with Matilda Snyder, a daughter of Daniel 
Snyder of Bloomsburg. and they had one son, 
Nevin U., our subject. 

Nevin U. Funk was educated in the Liter- 
ary Institute and the State Normal School at 
Bloomsburg. He then went to Princeton 
College, where he diligently pursued his stud- 
ies until 1874, when he graduated with the de- 
gree of B. A. In the succeeding year he took 
up the study of law, attending the lectures at 
the Columbia Law School, and subsequently 
studying under the direction of Hon. Charles 
R. Buckalew, being admitted to the Columbia 
County Bar in the year following. He has 
since been engaged in practice, and has ob- 
tained a large and paying clientage. He is a 
keen man of business and always devotes his 
whole energy to the success of his client. He 
has always had the interests of his native bor- 
ough at heart and has been associated with 
several business enterprises. He is one of the 
original stockholders and a director of the 
Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg. In 
1890 he, with others, organized the Blooms- 
burg Land Improvement Company, which has 
laid out the eastern end of the borough in lots, 
streets and walks, and has built forty fine 
houses. He is a director of the School Fur- 
nishing Manufacturing Company and also its 
treasurer. He is also a trustee of the Blooms- 
burg State Normal School. 

In 1881 Mr. Funk was joined in hymeneal 
bonds with Mary L. Elwell, a daughter of 
Judge William and Mary L. (Thayer) Elwell; 
they have three children: Elwell N.; Marie 
E. and Harry E. Religiously he is a member 
and elder of the Reformed Church. Politi- 
cally he is a Democrat and has served as dele- 
gate to state conventions, besides standing 
high in the councils of his party. 



OHN M. SMITH, who formerly was 
engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
Madison township, Columbia County, 
where he owns an excellent farm of 200 acres, 
is now a resident of Jerseytovvn, where he is 
living in retirement. He is a son of Elisha B. 
and Mary (Miller) Smith, and was born on 
the Smith homestead, near Jerseytown, March 
8, 1826. 

John Smith, tlie grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of New Jersey, who located in 
Briarcreek township, Columbia Count)-, 
where he remained a few years before remov- 
ing to Madison township. In the latter place 
he purchased a tract of 400 acres of land and 
followed farming until his death. He and his 
wife Eleanor reared the following children : 
Henry; John; Francis; Hugh; Alexandria; 
Elisha B., the father of our subject; Eliza- 
beth; Margaret; and Ann. 

Elisha B. Smith, after reaching manhood, 
succeeded his father on the old homestead in 
Madison township, where he was successfully 
engaged in cultivating the soil all of his life. 
He was called to his final rest in 1844, at the 
age of fifty-one years. In his political affil- 
iations he was a Democrat and voted uniform- 
ly for that party. Religiously he was a mem- 
ber of the Reformed Church. He was united 
in the holy bonds of wedlock to Mary Miller, 
a daughter of Joseph Miller, a farmer of Mon- 
tour County, Pa., by whom he had three sons 
and two daughters : John M., the subject of 
this biographical record; Joseph, deceased, 
who was a farmer in Michigan; Margaret, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of George F. Fague 
of Muncy, Pa.; Elizabeth J., a maiden lady 
who resides with our subject; and Wilson W., 
a well-known business man of Hazleton, Pa. 

John M. Smith was reared on the farm and 
obtained his education in the common schools 
of his native town, after which he took up the 



124 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



occupation of a farmer. He resided on the 
old homestead, wliere he owned 200 acres of 
land and followed farmint^ with excellent re- 
sults until 1897, when he was enabled to retire 
from active labors and spend his declining 
years in the enjoyment of well-earned rest. He 
is now residing in the village of Jerseytown, 
where he has a large circle of acciuaintancc'^ 
who hold him in high esteem as an estimable 
citizen and a true friend. During the Civil 
War he was unable to enter the service and 
consequently paid $600 for a substitute. Mr. 
Smith is a musician of considerable ability and 
for twenty-five years was teacher of a singing 
school. 

In 1862 our subject was joined in hymeneal 
bonds to Mary Pursel of Frosty Valley, Hem- 
lock township, and they are the parents of 
three children: Elizabeth; Herman D., a 
bookkeeper of Williamsport, Pa.: and Ger- 
trude. Mrs. Smith was called to her final rest 
in 1885, at the age of fifty-four years. 




lOXRAD KREAMER, one of the rep- 
resentative farmers of Madison town- 
ship, Columbia County, lives in a 
beautiful residence near Jerseytown, where he 
o\\ ns a large tract of 400 acres of land which 
embodies the fruits of many years of indus- 
trious toil. He is a son of Conrad and Cath- 
erine (Bowman) Kreamer. and was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., November 28, 1824. 

Conrad Kreamer, Sr., the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and 
was young when he came to America, locating 
in Philadelphia. There he followed the trade 
of a baker for several years, but finally moved 
to Columbia County, near White Hall, AFon- 
tour County, where he purchased a farm of 
130 acres and followed agricultm\'il pursuits 



until his death, which occurred while he was 
yet in the prime of life. In religious attach- 
ments he was a member of the Eutheran 
Church. He formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Catherine Bowman, who was also a na- 
ti\e of Wurtemberg, Germany, and they be- 
came the ])arents of ten children, seven sons 
and three daughters, as follows: Conrad; 
Catherine; John, deceased; Margaret, de- 
ceased; Charles; Joseph; William; Freder- 
ick; Christian, deceased; and Jacob. 

Conrad Kreamer, the subject of this bio- 
grai:ihical record and the first child born to 
his parents, received a limited school train- 
ing, but is w'ell-read and posted on the current 
topics of the day. He has always I)een en- 
gaged in tilling the soil, and during his voung- 
er days was also engaged in buying ami selling 
lumber. In 1857 he embarked in the mercan- 
tile business in Jerseytown and also in the 
lumbering business, which he continued with 
marked success until 1893, a period of thirty- 
six _\-ears. He is a man of superior business 
pro])ensities and untiring industry, and he has 
accumulated a handsome competency. In 
March, 1853, he moved to his present home, 
which lies in the outskirts of a l)eautiful valley 
near Jerseytown, and comprises 400 acres of 
fertile land suitably adapted to stock raising, 
of which Mr. Kreamer has always made a 
specialty. He is a man of intelligence and 
high ideas and occupies a prominent place in 
the estimation of his fellow-citizens. 

On January 28, 1855, our suljject was 
united in matrimonial Ijonds to Mary Hender- 
shot, a daughter of Edwin Hendershot, for- 
merly of Jerseytown. Pa., but now a resident 
of Michigan, and this hap])\' union has been 
blessed b}- the birth of the following children : 
Margaret Jane, deceased; W'illiam. a collector 
and clerk in Milton, Pa.; Ida. the wife of 
Charles Carey of ^ladison tdwnship, Colmn- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



125 



bia County; George Frederick, a clerk 
in a wholesale house at Naugatuck, Conn.; 
Jolin Jacob, of Jerseytown, Pa.; Charles A., 
a farmer; Anna, the wife of E. F. Johnson of 
Harrislnirg. Pa.; Evan H., who follows the 
occupation of a farmer; Florence P>.; and 
Lewis. Mr. Kreamer was bereaved of his be- 
loved wife's companionship by death, March 
25, 1898, she being aged sixty-three years 
three months and ele\'en days. She was a 
loving wife, a kind mother and a true friend. 
Religiously she was a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Church. Politically Mr. 
Kreamer is a firm Democrat and has served 
as poor director for se\'eral years, and former- 
ly served as school director. 



M 



R. JESSE E. SHUMAN, who has a 
thorough knowledge of the medical 
profession, has been actively engaged 
in practice in the village of Jerseytown since 
1 89 1 and is patronized by the leading citizens 
of that vicinity. He is a son of John W. and 
Harriet (John) Shuman, and was born July 30. 
1869, in Mainville, Columbia County. 

The Shuman family is of German descent 
and has been connected with the history of 
Columbia County for many years back. Jacob 
Shuman located where the village of Main- 
ville now is about the year 1802, being one 
of the early settlers of that community. He 
settled upon the farm on which his son, John 
W., now resides, and there conducted an inn 
and followed the occupation of a farmer the 
remainder of his life. He also engaged in 
lumbering. Religiously he was a faithful 
member of the Lutheran Church. He was 
united in marriage to Mary Miller of Lime- 
ridge, Columbia County, by whom he had 
four children: Abraham, a farmer of Morris 



County, Kans. ; John W., our subject's father; 
Erastus. a broker of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and 
Lloyd, a farmer of Catawissa township. 

John W. Shuman was born on the old 
homestead at Mainville. .April 30, 1847, where 
he is now residing and is engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits. For a time he was engaged 
in lumbering and in 1ime-l)urning at Lime- 
ridge, but later turned his attention to farm- 
ing. He owns 204 acres of land under a high 
state of cultivation, upon which is a good 
home and fine buildings. Mr. Shuman is a 
man of high ideals, is well informed on sub- 
jects of current interest, and stands high in 
the estimation of his fellow-citizens. At the 
age of sixteen years he displayed his patriot- 
ism by volunteering his services to tlif cause 
of the Union, and served for a period of nine 
months. Politically he is a Democrat and 
has served as justice of the peace about thir- 
teen years. In religious attachments he is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
of which he is a trustee and an active worker. 
Socially he is a member of Catawissa Lodge, 
F. & A. M.; and of the Patriotic Order 
Sons of America of Mainville. He was joined 
in wedlock to Harriet John, a daughter of 
Jesse John, who was formerly a farmer of 
Catawissa township, ])ut now resides with Mr. 
Shuman. This happy union resulted in the 
following issue: Dr. Jesse E., in whom the 
interest of this sketch centers; Warren, a stu- 
dent of Dickinson College; Myron, a student 
of the Bloomsburg State Normal School; 
Howard; and Edith. 

Dr. Jesse E. Shuman, after completing the 
prescribed course in the Bloomsburg State 
Normal School, taught for three terms, and 
in 1888 began the study of medicine with Dr. 
J. J. Brown of Bloomsburg. He then took a 
course in the University of Pennsylvania, from 
which he graduated in May, 1891. Lnme- 



126 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



diately thereafter he took up his practice at 
Jerseytown, MacHson township, wliere lie lias 
remained from that time to tliis. He acquired 
a large and lucrative practice and quickly won 
his wav to the i^'ood-w ill cjf tlie citizens of that 
section, estahlishing' an enduring reputation 
as a skilful ])hysician and surgeon. He is of 
genial and good-natured disposition and has 
many friends among his patients. He is vice- 
]:)resident of the Columhia County Medical 
Society and of the State Medical Society of 
Pennsylvania. 

January i, 1892, Dr. Shuman was joined in 
hymeneal honds to Mary John, a daughter of 
the late Briton and Hannah (Fetterolf) John. 
Mr. John was killed by being kicked by a 
horse at a coniparatixely }-oung age. One 
daughter, Harriet John, has blessed our 
subject's home. Fraternally our subject is 
a Mason and belongs to Washington Lodge 
No. 265 of Bloomsburg. Both Air. and ]\Irs. 
Shuman are members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Jerseytown, Pa. 




EDGWICK B. KARNS, a promising 
young attorney residing at Benton. 
Pa., who has been practicing before 
the Columbia County Bar since the spring of 
1898, was born in Benton township, Columbia 
County, Pa., November 14, 1868, and is a son 
of Hon. Russell and Elmira (Cole) Karns. 

Peter Karns, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was of German origin and was a resident 
of Columbia County all his life; he resided 
in Benton township, where he successfully 
pursued the vocation of an agriculturist. 

Hon. Russell Karns, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Benton township, March 17. 
1842. He carried on general farming in his 
native township until 1880, when he l)ecame 



a resident of Laporte, Sullivan County. Fa , 
where he has since been proprietor of the La- 
porte Hotel; he is a very popular citizen and 
landlord and his hotel is made the headquar- 
ters of all traveling men who make that town 
on their route. He is a \eteran of the Civil 
War and served as lieutenant of Company E. 
-'ogth Reg., Pa. \'ol. Lif. Politically he is a 
stanch Democrat, and is' an active and consis- 
tent worker in his party. He represented Sul- 
livan County in the State Legislature from 
1891 to 1893. Mr. Karns was united in the 
bonds of wedlock to Elmira Cole, a daughter 
of William Cole, a prominent citizen of Ben- 
ton township, Columbia County, and they are 
the parents of si.x children, three of whom are 
now living, namely : Sedgwick B., the subject 
of this sketch; Mrs. Cora Stomont, widow of 
the late Robert M. Stomont of Laporte, Pa.; 
and Harry A., a law student of Laporte and 
an active worker of the P. O. S. of A. 

Sedgwick B. Karns acquired a liberal edu- 
cation in the public schools of his native town 
and then attended the Susquehanna Colle- 
giate Institute, graduating in 1891; he then 
took a one-year course in the Law Depart- 
ment of the Lhiiversity of Pennsyhania, and 
returning to Laporte he completed his law 
studies in the oftice of T. J. and F. H. Ingham, 
the leading attorneys of that borough. Decem- 
ber J", 1896, he was admitted to the Sullivan 
County Bar and practiced in Laporte one year 
and three months. In the spring of i8g8 our 
subject was admitted to the Columbia County 
Bar and has since practiced in the town of 
Benton, where he is winning hosts of friends 
and bids fair to become one of the leaders 
of his communit\'. 

Mr. Karns is a member of Russell Karns 
Camp No. 319, Sons of Veterans, of Benton; 
and a member of Washington Camp No. 123, 
P. O. S. of .\., of Benton. In i)olitics our 




THOMAS H. EUGAR. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



129 



subject is a solid Democrat. In November, 
1890, Mr. Karns was united in tlie bonds of 
niatrinionv to Carrie S. Keeler of Laporte. 
and they are the parents of two cliildren. 
Helen Corinne and Ruth Louise. 




HOM.\S H. EDG.\R, a prominent and 
highly respected citizen of Stillwater. 
Fishing- Creek township. Pa., whose portrait 
is shown on the opposite page, is successfully 
engaged in operating a planing-mill in that 
village. He is a son of James and Sarah 
(McHenry) Edgar, and was born in Fishing 
Creek township, Columbia County. Pa., near 
the village of Stillwater, February 15, 1845. 

The Edgar family is of Scotch extraction. 
James Edgar, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a native of New York state. Init resided 
in Columbia County, Pa., nearly all of his 
active days. He resided in Fishing Creek and 
Benton townships for many years and was en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits, and his latter 
days were spent in the state of Ohio, where 
he died at an advanced age. His wife was a 
Miss Buchanan, a native of Long Island, N. 
Y., and a relative of 'President Buchanan. 
These children were born to the coujile as 
follows: John, who married Hester Zimmer- 
man; Robert, who wedded Susanna McHen- 
ry; Martha, who was the wife of Moses Mc- 
Henry and resided in Fishing Creek township, 
Columbia County: Ellen, who was the wife of 
Elias McHenry: Elizabeth, who was united 
in marriage to John Jackson: Edward, who 
resided in the .state of Ohio; Christina, who 
was the wife of Silas McHenry and resided 
in the state of Ohio; and James, the voungest, 
the father of our subject. 

James Edgar was l)orn on his father's farm 



in Fishing Creek township, August 22, 1806, 
where he was engaged in farming and lumber- 
ing a number of years: later he sold his farm 
in that township and became a resident of 
Benton township, where he remained a short 
time, when he returned to his native place. 
Mr. Edgar took an active part in public 
afifairs and was one of the leading and pro- 
gressive men of his community. He served 
as constable for many vears. In 1828 he was 
joined in marriage to Sarah ^IcHenry, a 
daughter of Daniel McHenry, a son of one of 
the pioneer settlers of that section. She was 
born April 28, 1810, and died in Fishing 
Creek township, September 10, 1882. This 
union resulted in the birth of nine sons and 
one daughter, namely: Daniel, who died 
October 23, 1890, was a miller by trade, and 
his wife was Louise Stoker of Luzerne Coun- 
ty, Pa.; Robert died February 25, 1897, aged 
si.xty-four years; Emanuel, a stonemason by 
trade who wedded Martha McHenry; George 
\V., a farmer residing in Clay County, Neb., 
and was united in marriage to Nellie Smith of 
Pittston, Pa.; William E., late a farmer of 
Fishing Creek township; Hiram R., who is 
a farmer and stockraiser of Loup County. 
Neb.; James C, who married Rose Smith and 
is a resident of Pittston, Pa.; Thomas H., our 
subject: Benjamin Franklin, who died April 
22, 1898; and a daughter who died in infancy. 
Our subject's father passed from this life April 
16, 1883. 

Thomas H. Edgar, our subject, was edu- 
cated in the district school and at New Co- 
lumbia Academy and remained under the pa- 
rental roof until he attained the age of eigh- 
teen years, assisting his father in his labors 
about the farm. He then went to Cambria 
where he learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, 
which trade he followed in that village until 
1867; he then .spent two years at Rohrsburg, 



130 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Pa., and one year at Centralia, engaged in tlie 
mercantile business. He also kept a store at 
Mount Carmel, Pa., wliich was destroyed 
by fire. Moving to Benton township 
he worked in a planing-mill, anil later oper- 
ated a mill at North Mountain; in 1877 he 
returned to Stillwater, where he erected a 
planing-mill 51 by 72 feet and has since car- 
ried on that business to the present time; he 
also built a chopping-mill 30 by 36 feet. He 
manufactures all kinds of building material, 
including sashes, doors, wintlows, staircases, 
and mantel pieces. Our subject is also en- 
gaged in general Iniilding and contracting and 
has erected eighteen houses in Bloomsburg. 
and many of the finest residences in Stillwater. 
Mr. Edgar is a stanch Democrat. He is a 
member of the P. O. S. of A. of Stillwater, 
and in religious views he is a Christian. On 
December 26, 1867, he" was united in marriage 
to Cecilia Alice McHenry, who was born July 
26, 1848, a daughter of James D. McHenry. 
Three children have blessed the home of our 
subject and wife, namely: Harry O., born 
April 16, 1869, died February 18, 1888; Leiia 
I., born June 11, 1871, who is the wife of W. 
L. McHenry, a farmer of Fishing Creek town- 
ship; and Orvis Roy, born February 8, 1883. 
who is attending school. 




lARTIN L. BROBST, a prominent 
and prosperous farmer of Columbia 
County, Pa., who resitles on a fine 
farm of 240 acres in Hemlock township, is one 
of the highly respected farmers of his com- 
munity. He was born in Columbia County, 
Pa., August I. 1 861, and is a son of Daniel 
and Rebecca (Johnson) Brobst, and a grand- 
son of Jacob Brobst. 

Jacob Brobst, the grandfather of our sub- 



ject, and his brother innuigrated to .\merica 
about one hundred years ago and located in 
the state of New York, and in some way they 
became separated and never heard of each 
other afterwards. Our subject's grandfather 
located in Valley township, Montour County, 
Pa., and was classed among the pioneer set- 
tlers of that count)-. He was a luan of great 
force of character, sturdy and independent in 
views, and possessed all the characteristics re- 
quired by a man in order to make his way suc- 
cessfuU)- in those rugged days. At that time 
tlie country was covered by a dense forest, 
and 'Mv. Probst's neighbors were the Indians 
and wild animals that roved through the 
woods. He purchased a large tract of land 
and in due time cleared a farm from the wilder- 
ness and established a comfortaljle homestead. 
upcMi which he remained until he passed to 
the silent land. His home was used as a trad- 
ing-post between the Indians and the white 
settlers, who would journey there from nian\- 
miles distant; our suliject's grandfather had 
many skirmishes w ith the Indians, who would 
burn his hay-stacks and commit other depre- 
dations. He was a member of the Lutheran 
Church; his wife was a Miss Mowery, a de- 
scendant of one of the early families of Mon- 
tour County. The following children were 
the result of this union : Jonathan, formerh- 
a blacksmith of Valley township, Montour 
County; Elizabeth, widow of a Mr. Miller, 
who now resides in Frosty Valley. Montour 
County; Daniel M., our subject's father; 
David, a retired wagonmaker of Bloomsburg, 
Pa.; Jacob, a farmer of Valley township; 
John, a shoemaker of Bloomsburg, Pa.; 
Adam, a farmer of Valley township; Kate, the 
wife of Nicholas Fish of Danville, Pa.; Lydia, 
the wife of John Stoffer of Hemlock town- 
ship, Columbia Count\'; and Michael, a farm- 
er of X'alley township, Montoiu" County. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 



131 



Daniel Brobst, father of our subject, was 

born in ^'alley townsliii), Montour County. 
Pa., July 8, 1833, and was a shoemaker by 
trade, which occupation he followed all his 
life: he also conducted a store many years 
in connection with his shoe business. In 1886 
he moved to Columbia County, where he has 
since lived in retirement, enjoying- a well- 
earned competency. In religious \'iews our 
subject's father is a devoted member of the 
Lutheran Church. He formed a matrimonial 
alliance with Rebecca Johnson, and they are 
the parents of the following children : Stinson 
L., one of the well-to-do farmers of Hemlock 
township, Columbia County; Edward D., who 
spent fourteen years in the Colorado gold 
fields, where he was employed as an engineer, 
and, returning to Bloomsburg. operated the 
I)umps at tlie Bloomsburg Water Company. — 
he and our subject own a large farm in Hem- 
lock township: Benjamin F., also a prosper- 
ous farmer of Hemlock township. Columbia 
County; Alartin L.. the subject of this sketch; 
Mary E., the wife of John Guliver. a success- 
ful farmer residing in \'altey township, Mon- 
tour County; and three children who died in 
their infancy. 

Martin L. Brobst acquired a limited educa- 
tion in the public schools of his native town 
and in 1884 went to Blackhawk, Colo., and 
for six years worked in the gold fields of 
that section. He oiierated the machinery in 
the mills for a short time and later operated 
the mine pumps at a depth of i.ioo feet below 
the surface. In 1891 our subject and his 
brother, Edward D.. returned home and pur- 
chased a farm in the central part of Hemlock 
township, Columbia County. The farm con- 
sists of 240 acres of highly cultivated land, 
and they have made many improvements upon 
the same, built new outhouses and a fine resi- 
dence, anil the farm now ranks second to none 



in the county. In connection with farming, 
the brothers conduct a dairy and have a large 
milk route in Bloomsburg. 

Martin L. Brobst was united in marriage in 
1891 to Olive Flint of Blackhawk, Cole, and 
their home has been blessed by two children, 
Edith C. and Nettie May. Mr. Brobst has 
been very successful in his undertakings, and 
as a man of wise judgment, of great industry, 
and honorable dealings he is held in high es- 
teem in the community of which he is a 
prominent and worthy member. 



B 



ANIEL L. MILLER, the efficient 
postmaster and merchant of Eldreds- 
ville, Sullivan County, Pa., was born 
in Point township, Northumberland County, 
Pa., April 4, 1848, and is the youngest son 
of Leonard and Elizabeth (Cline) Miller and a 
grandson of Jacob Miller of New Jersey. 

Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Miller, 
served as a private soldier in the Revolution- 
ary War under the illustrious Washington and 
had an honorable militarj- record of which his 
descendants speak with just pride. He fought 
bravely in the struggle for liberty and after 
the successful termination of the conflict he 
purchased a farm near Riverside, Pa., and en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits. On this ex- 
cellent property he lived a peaceful and happy 
life to an advanced age. Only one shadow 
was cast upon his happiness;' his wife never 
enjoyed vigorous health, but suffered much in 
her declining years till called to lay down life's 
burden and enter into her deserved rest. Three 
children were born to them: Sarah, who was 
twice married, her first husband being Suel 
Gibbs, who served in the Mexican War, and 
her second husband. John Schwarts: Peter: 
and Leonard. 



i;32 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Leonard Miller, father of our subject, was, 
practically, a farmer all his life. He enjoyed 
the enviable reputation of being a just, fair- 
minded and honorable man. ]'y conducting 
his business with ability and success he pro- 
vided very comfortably for his family and 
thus opened splendid opportunities for them. 
He died at the age of si.xty-seven years, and 
his life was considered well and nobly spent, 
and lie was mourned by all who knew him. 
Elizabeth Cline, daughter of Godfrey Cline, 
became his wife and lived peacefully by his 
side until she attained the age of sixty years, 
having borne him eight children: William; 
Clarkson; Jacob, who now resides at Dan- 
ville; Thomas; Mary; Charles, who is lo- 
cated at Turbutville, Pa.; a daughter, who 
died in infancy; and Daniel L., our subject. 

Daniel L. Miller obtained a good education 
in the pidilic schools of Point township, 
Xortlnnnberland County, Pa. In early life he 
learned the carpenter's trade and being handy 
with all kinds of tools, he soon became an ex- 
])ert workman, and for some time worked suc- 
cessfully at his trade in his native county. 
Looking about for a location he settled in 
Kikland township, Sullivan County, where he 
])urchascd fifty acres of land in 1876 from Jo- 
■scph Pardoe, whose daughter, Jane Pardee, 
became his wife and was a willing helper in 
making the many improvements needed on 
his farm, which is now well improved and in a 
high state of cultivation. Mr. Miller is as- 
sisted on the farm by his two sons, Charles 
and Howard, who are learning all the rural 
arts and successful schemes of the shrewd 
granger. About two and a half years ago Mr. 
Miller leased the G. A. Mcllwain house and 
store, directly adjoining his farm. There he 
resides and carries on a general country store, 
also the postoffice, which has been in his 
charge since 1896. 



Some time ago Mr. Miller was called upon 
to bear the loss of his wife; this loss was a 
severe blow to him, also to her bereaved 
children and to her many de\oted friends. 
She died lea\'ing three children : Rena. a lov- 
able young lady, who has learned to wield the 
birch and who is "teaching young ideas how 
to shoot" in a way to command success; 
Charles; and Howard. 

Mr. Miller is a man of very decided political 
views, favoring Democracy, but is gentleman- 
ly in his e-xpression of them. He is intensely 
interested in local matters pertaining to the 
welfare of his community. He has been jus- 
tice of the peace fourteen consecutive years; 
school director for three years; town clerk 
one year; assessor for three years; and a 
member of the election board for nine years. 

Quite recently Mr. Miller sought and won 
the heart and hand ni Lydia Norton, daugh- 
ter of Thomas Norton. She is well and favor- 
ably known in the social and religious circles 
of Elkland township, being a consistent mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



AMES C. BROWN, a gentleman prom- 
inent in public affairs in and about 
Bloomsburg, is the proprietor and edi- 
tor of the Columbia County Repul)lican, a 
well-edited and influential paper of the coun- 
ty. He is a civil engineer by profession and 
for the past six years or more has been acting 
in <hat capacity for the borough of Blooms- 
burg. He is a son of William N. and Loretta 
(^'onker) Brown, and was born in Mifflin 
townshi]), Columbia County, Pa., April 29, 
1848. He comes of a prominent old English 
family and is descended from John Brown, 
who emigrated from England prior to our 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



133 



Struggle for independence and located on 
Long Island. 

John Brown subsequently moved to War- 
ren County, N. J., and later located with his 
family in Alifflin township, in what was then 
Northuniherland County, now Columbia 
County, in the year 1794. He followed his 
trade, that of a blacksmith, there during the 
remainder of his life; he served in that capac- 
ity for the American Army during the Revo- 
lutionary War. For many years he ser\-ed as 
justice of the peace. His son, Samuel Brown, 
gr>mdfather of our subject, was born in War- 
ren County, N. J., and moved to Mififlin town- 
ship, with the rest of the family, making that 
his home throughout life. His father having 
[jurchased 600 acres of land there, upon his 
death divided it among four of his children, 
Samuel receiving the old homestead. This he 
cultivated until his death in 1823, at the age 
of forty-five years. He married Dorothy Nice, 
by whom he had a family of nine children, as 
follows : John, deceased ; Margaret, deceased, 
was the wife of Samuel Creasy, now deceased; 
Sarah, wife of George A. Bowman; William 
N.; Mathew; James; Elizabeth, who became 
the wife of Alexander Thompson; George B.; 
and Elisha B., all of whom are deceased. 

William N. Brown was horn in Mifflin 
township, Columbia County, on the old home- 
stead, February 15, 1807, and took up the 
\'ocation of a farmer. He continued in that 
line of work with good results until 1870, 
when he moved to the village of Mitflinville, 
renting his farm. He built a house and lived 
in peaceful retirement until his demise, Sep- 
tember 16, 1876. For many years he also con- 
ducted a grist and flouring mill. Religiously 
he was an active member in the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, holding various offices, 
among them steward and trustee. He mar- 
ried Nancy Freas, a daughter of John Freas 



of Center township, Columbia County, and 
thc\- had fi\e children: George A., deceased; 
Albert, a farmer of Ottawa County, Kans. ; 
John F., who lived on the old homestead in 
Mifflin township until 1898, when he, because 
of ill health, retired from farming and moved 
to Mifflinville; Almira, of Mifflinville; and 
Dorcas, deceased. Mrs. Brown died in 1845 
and he formed a second alliance in 1847 ^^'th 
Loretta Yonker, a daughter of Henry Yonk- 
er, a native of Germany, who, upon coming 
to this country, located in Mifflinville, Pa. 
This marriage resulted in the following off- 
spring: James C, the subject of this personal 
history; Martha, deceased; Samuel C, em- 
ployed in the Railway Postal Service between 
New York and Pittsburg; Malissa J., de- 
ceased; and Victoria, the wife of George W. 
Hess of Bloomsburg, Pa. 

James C. Brown received his preparatory 
education in the pul)lic and select schools of 
Mifflinville, after which he entered the Dick- 
inson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa., gradua- 
ting therefrom in 1868. He then began teach- 
ing, accepting a position as professor in the 
State Normal School at Bloomsburg, which 
he held for three and one-half years, the last 
half year of which he was principal. In the 
spring of 1872 he engaged as civil engineer 
in locating the N. & W. Branch Railroad and 
was associated with the enterprise until its 
completion in 1882 as a member of the board 
of directors, as well as engineer. He also did 
work in that line for other railroad companies 
during that time and since has followed that 
as his profession. He has been engineer of 
the borough of Bloomsburg for six or eight 
years and has frequently rendered service to 
other boroughs in the vicinity. Being a man 
of much experience, he is frequently called 
into court to give expert testimony on civil 
engineering in damage suits. In September, 



134 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



1875, lie purcliased tlie plant of the Colunihia 
County Republican, a four-page, ei,e;lit-col- 
uinn publication, which makes its appearance 
weekly, and has since edited it. It is Repub- 
lican in politics and has a large following, 
having a good circulation throughout the 
county, and also in adjoining counties. 

Mr. Brown is one of the Republican leaders 
in his section and is indefatigable in his ef- 
forts to bring success to the party. He is 
frequently a delegate to state conventions, and 
was a delegate from what was then the Elev- 
enth Congressional District of Pennsylvania 
to the Re])ublican National Convention at 
Chicago in 1884. He also speaks for the state 
connnittee during the campaigns. He made 
a tour of the state as a member of Gen. Has- 
tings' staf? during the gubernatorial contest 
in which Cen. Hastings was a candidate. He 
is a Huent and convincing speaker and is well 
versed on all subjects of interest to the people. 
He is now ])resident of the board of school 
directors and has been a member of that body 
for almost twenty years. He is also a director 
of the Bloomsburg School Furnishing Com- 
pany and of the Bloomsburg Steam Heating 
Company, and a trustee of the State Normal 
School, being vice-president of the board. He 
is a member and treasurer of the Columbia 
County .\gricultural Society. Religiously he 
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and is very active in church work. 
For some fifteen or twenty years he- has been 
secretary of the board of trustees. Mr. 
Brown is a man of high character, and no oth- 
er in the countv is held in higher esteem. 



[f^OWELL NORTON, who is located 
at Campbellville, Sullivan County, is 
one of the most enterprising busi- 
ness men of I'orks townshi]). lie was born 



January 31. 1841. in Forks townshi]i, being 
a son of Thomas and Mary (Bird) Norton. 

Thomas Norton, the father of our subject, 
was born in England, ^lay 6, 1808, and in 
1830 immigrated to America with his brother 
Charles. Both bought tracts of wild and un- 
cultixated land of Dr. Priestly, Thomas buy- 
ing one hundred acres on what is now known 
as Norton's Ridge in the northwest part of 
Forks township. After clearing a small part 
of the land which was heavily covered with 
timlier, r\Ir. Norton built a small log cabin 
and began life there with small resources, but 
a most resolute determination to succeed. 
Mr. Norton married Mary Bird, born No- 
vember 8, 1 81 6. and a daughter of Powell 
Bird. .\s the years passed they cleared the 
farm and made many new impro\-ements 
thereon. Mr. Norton was a blacksmith by 
trade. In his younger days he worked some at 
Eagles Mere; later in life he did all of his 
own blacksmithing and most of that of his 
neighbors. He was a stanch member of the 
Democratic party, and ser\-ed the township as 
supervisor, collector, etc. Mr. Norton died 
February 2, 1884, at the age of seventy-six 
years, and was buried in the Bird cemetery. 
He and his good wife were the parents of 
eight children, as follows: Esther, wife of 
George Schill of Elkland township: William, 
a farmer in Forks townshiji; Powell, our sub- 
ject; Emeline, who died at the age of fifteen; 
Ira, who died at the age of one year; Lydia, 
wife of Daniel Miller; Maria, who married W. 
S. PiefYenbauch; \\'ashington, who died at 
the age of twenty-five; George B., who mar- 
ried Jennie Campbell of Estella, Pa.; and 
James, who died at the age of fourteen. 

Powell Norton married I\Iary B. Bedford, 
daughter of Rev. Richard and Arvilla (Wheat) 
Bedford. Rev. Richard Bedford was a son of 
Richard lledford. :md was born in luigland. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



l.te 



His father immigrated to this country when he 
was about twelve years of age and two years 
later his mother died. His father then mar- 
ried Laurena Waller. He moved to Forks 
township, Sullixan County, Pa., where he set- 
tled on the estate now owned and li\ed upon 
Ijy Mrs. Watson Fawcett. His children by his 
first wife were named Richard, Hannah and 
Franklin. By his second union he had two 
children : Varley and Alice, both deceased. 
Rev. Richard Bedford studied theology and 
was ordained a Methodist minister, which 
profession he followed many years, settling in 
his later life on the old Bedford homestead in 
Forks township, where he spent the remainder 
of his days. He was one of the most active 
and [)rominent men in his district. He was a 
man of superior education and fine intellect 
and, although books in his day were high- 
priced, he gathered the largest and most up- 
to-date library in Sullivan County. A portion 
of the library is now in the possession of Mr. 
Norton and he has added many valuable vol- 
umes. Mr. Bedford was the first superintend- 
ent of schools in Sullivan County and served 
as one of the first associate judges of the coun- 
ty, filling the judgeship for two terms. He 
also represented Sullivan County two terms in 
the State Legislature. Rev. Mr. Bedford's 
useful life was closed at the age of seventy-one 
years, his wife departing this life at the age of 
sixty. Their children were: Mary B., wife of 
our subject; Ada, who married Watson Faw- 
cett; and three who died in infancy. 

Powell Norton, the subject of this biog- 
raphy, attended the public schools of his na- 
tive place where he received a p^ood funda- 
mental education. When a young man he 
started as a farmer for himself, buying the 
Rogers farm in Forks township which con- 
sisted of 140 acres. Besides making manv 
improvements on the land he built a new 



house and barns. Together with John W. 
Norton he bought the Campbell Hour and 
feed mill. John W. Norton was succeeded as 
our subject's partner by S. M. Hotteinstein, 
the firm now being Norton & Hotteinstein. 
They do a large custom trade, dealing exten- 
sively in flour, feed, meal and grain, and also 
handle all kinds of agricultural implements 
necessary in that section. They own a trac- 
tion engine and do threshing, silo-work and 
the like. 

Mr. Norton erected at Cam])bellvirie a 
house and store which he rented for a period 
of years to Mr. Merithew, but now he con- 
ducts a country store in the place. He is a'so 
postmaster, having serveil in that capacity for 
fifteen years. This post office was established 
in 1843 '^y t'le father of our subject's wife 
and John Campbell was the first postmaster. 
Mr. Norton owns his father's homestead 
which is conducted by his only son now living, 
Richard W., who married Lizzie Hotteinstein. 
George L, a second son, died at the age of 
seven years. 




EORGE K. FAGELY, ex-sherifT of 
Northumlierland County, is one of 
the enterprising and energetic business men 
of Shamokin and a prominent and prosperous 
citizen. He was born in Shamokin township. 
Northumberland County, November 24, 1845, 
and is a son of Solomon and Mary E. (Klase) 
Fagely, and grandson of Christian Fagely. 

The Fagelys are of German descent, ami 
have been residents of this state for the past 
two centuries. Christian Fagely, the grand- 
father of our subject, who was a native of 
Alaiden Creek township, Berks County. Pa., 
in 1808 with his family moved to Shamokin 
townshi]). Northumberland County, where he 
spent the rest of his life engaged in the culti- 



lae 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



vation of the soil. He purchased a large tract 
of uncultivated land wliich he cleared and 
greatly inijiroved, and was one of the fore- 
most agriculturists of his community, wiio not 
only thoroughly understood the occupation in 
which he was engaged, l)ut was one of those 
who attained success in following the same. 
I !e was the progenitor of seven cliildren all of 
whom are now deceased. Religiously, Mr. 
I'^agely was an earnest and consistent member 
of the Lutheran Church. He passed from this 
earth December 31, 1845, at the advanced age 
of eight\-one years, three months and twenty- 
eight days; his wife died June 19, 1843, aged 
seventy years, two months and one day. 

Solomon Fagely, the father of our subject, 
was born in Maiden Creek township, Berks 
County, in 1802. He was but six years of 
age when his parents moved to Northumber- 
land County and settled in Shamokin town- 
ship. He received a liberal education in the 
common schools and was reared to agricul- 
ture which was his chief occupation through- 
out his entire life. He also conducted a hotel at 
Mount Carmel for two years, and later oper- 
ated a mill at Paxinos for several years. He 
then returned to the old homestead and con- 
tinued farming imtil his death. He was one 
of the prominent men of his township and by 
the exercise of his natural energy, industry, 
and all those qualities which constitute a good 
citizen and business man, he became a useful 
and \;ihR'd member of his community. Mr. 
h'agely was originally a Douglas Democrat, 
but after the Civil War broke out he af^liated 
with the Republican party. He formed a mat- 
rimonial alliance with ^^lary E. Klase and a 
family of eleven children was born to them, 
namely: \'alentine, a retired citizen residing 
in Shamokin township, Northumberland 
Comity: William, who died .A-Ugust 5, 1856. 
aged twent\-two \ears, eight months, and fif- 



teen days; Henry K., a resident of Sunbury. 
is the proprietor of the Standard Wire Nail 
\\'orks and a general merchandise store; 
George K.,the subject of this personal history; 
Elizabeth, now deceased, who married Solo- 
mon Weaver of Sunbury. Pa.; Caroline, who 
married W. Haas of Shamokin township: 
Catherine, deceased, who married Scott Mc- 
Williams of Shamokin, Pa.; Rosanna, de- 
ceased, who married Henry Tricellis of Sun- 
bury. I'a.: Harriet, who died in infancy: Ella, 
who married Scott McWilliams, who is now 
deceased; and Mary, who died unmarried. 
Mr. and Mrs. Fagely and family were mem- 
bers of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Fagely 
entered the world of rest September 6, 1883, 
aged eighty-one years, two months and seven- 
teen days. The mother of our subject joined 
her husl)and February 13, 1S87, at the age of 
eighty-three years, two months and ten days. 
Our sul)ject received what education he 
possesses in the common schools. His early 
life was passed on the old homestead in as- 
sisting his father in the labors on the farm 
until he was sixteen years of age; he then 
engaged as a clerk in his brother's store and 
remained there two years, and then clerked 
in a store at .\shland. Pa., for a short time. 
During the Rebellion, when President Lin- 
coln issued a call for troops, our subject laid 
aside all plans for the future, and enlisted 
June 16, 1863, in Company .\, 28th Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged July 
27, 1863. March 13, 1865, our subject re- 
enlisted for three years or during the war, in 
Company E, 103d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and 
was mustered out at Xewbern. N. C, June 
25, 1865. Returning home to his native state 
he settled in Snyder County where he con- 
ducted a mercantile store for four years. At 
the expiration of that time he returned to 
Shamokin. Northumberland Countv. and en- 




LINCOLN H. BOOUV. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



139 



gaged in luickstering and ran an individual 
car on the railroad. Tiie next ten years were 
spent in Snyder County, and in 1880 he re- 
turned to Shamokin, where lie again took up 
merchandising and carried on that line of bus- 
iness until January i, 1896. He was one of 
the enterprising and progressive merchants of 
Shamokin and by his straightforward meth- 
ods of dealing he succeeded in establishing a 
large and enviable patronage. In the fall of 
1895 Mr. Fagely was a candidate for sheriff 
of Northumberland County and was elected 
by a majority of 1,227 votes, which shows his 
jiopularity and the esteem and respect in 
\\hicli he is held by his fellow-citizens. He is 
a strong Republican and has contributed 
much toward the success of his chosen party. 
He has also served as a councilman and as a 
school director of Shamokin. 

Our subject is now conducting a wholesale 
flour and feed store on Independence street 
and also operates a roller process flour mill in 
Snyder County. Mr. Fagely is a member of 
Lafayette Lodge, No. 194, F. & A. M., of 
Selinsgrove; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, R. 
A. M. ; Shamokin Commandery, No. y^, K. 
T. ; Calvary Commandery. No. 123, Knights 
of Malta; Washington Camp, No. 149, P. O. 
S. of A.; and Lincoln Post, No. 140, G. A. R., 
of Shamokin. He was a director in the post, 
which is probably worth $70,000, and is one of 
the richest G. A. R. posts in the state of Penn- 
.sylvania. 

Our subject was joined in the bonds of mar- 
riage November 17, 1867, witli Mary A. Vo- 
der of Snyder County, and one child was born 
to them, Mary N., now deceased. Mrs. Fag- 
ely passed from this life September i, 1869. 
Our subject formed a second marriage with 
Anna Keeler January 6. 1871, and one child 
blesses their home, namely: Solomon Grant, 
who is now deputy sheriff under his father. 



tlNCOLN H. BOODY. Among the 
prosperous business men of Columbia 
n"*^ County who have succeeded in life 
mainly on account of their energy, persever- 
ance and economy, coupled with the fact that 
success in life depends considerably upon at- 
tending to one's business and not mi.xing in 
the affairs of neighbors, is the subject of this 
biograi)hical sketch, whose portrait is shown 
on a preceding i)age. Mr. Boody is one of the 
hustling business men of the town of Rupert 
and is the proprietor of the Rupert Granite 
& Marble Works. He was born at Mullica 
Hill, N. J., September 28, i860, and is a son 
of David and Elizabeth (Looper) Boody. 

The Boody family is of English origin, and 
the first of that name to locate in this country 
settled in the state of New Jersey, where they 
were engaged in tilling the soil. George 
Boody, the grandfather of our subject, owned 
a large farm where the \-illage of \'ineland, 
N. J., now stands. 

David Boody, the father of our subject, was 
a millwright, carpenter and cabinetmaker l)y 
trade, and followed those occupations at inter- 
vals throughout his entire life. He also con- 
tracted for building and erected many large 
manufacturing plants throughout the country. 
Mr. Boody was an author of considerable note 
and his most valuable work was a history 
of the Ci\-il \\'ar, which was not completed by 
him on account of his death. When the Civil 
War broke out he assisted in forming the first 
company that left the state of New Jersey in 
response to the call issued by President Lin- 
coln. After three years' gallant service he fell 
a martyr to the Union cause. He was united 
in the bonds of matrimony to Elizabeth Loop- 
er. a daughter of John Looper, a well-to-do 
resident of Gloucester, N. J. As a result of 
this union three sons and three daughters 
were born, namely : R. H., a hotelkeeper re- 



140 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



siding at Tivoli, Pa.; David, who is employed 
in the iron mills; Rachael, who was drowned 
at the aije of eighteen years; Amy, wife of 
William C'anini of r.ridgeton. N. J.; Lincoln 
J!., our subject; and llattic, wife of Jolni 
I'letcher of Fairton, N. J. 

Upon the death of Mr. Boody our subject's 
niulhcr, after losing considerable property, 
mo\ed to Alullica Hill with her family and our 
subject at a very early age was compelled, 
at the age of nine years, to go to work in a 
nail factory. After remaining there a short 
time he was employed as a cabinboy and as- 
sistant cook aboard sex'eral x'essels. continuing 
iliat line of liusiness a numl)er of years. In 
1876 he moved to Philadelphia, where he 
worked in a market at No. 12 Market street. 
His next move was to Rupert, Columbia 
County, Pa., where he servetl an apprentice- 
ship to the stonecutting trade. After learning 
the trade he became a salesman and later he 
\vas taken as a partner in the works owned 
by his brother, R. H. Boody. They success- 
fully carried on that business and later started 
another granite and marlile works at Hughes- 
villc, Columbia County. In 1888 the firm dis- 
sohed partnership and our subject became 
sole pro|)rietor of the Rupert w'orks, and in 
1896 he ])urchased the works at Hughesville. 
Mr. Boody is now carrying on a successful 
1)usiness and is evidently on the high road to 
pros])erity. He is a fair-and-square business 
man, and, though young in years, has made 
his mark in the connnuiiit}- where he resides. 
He lias a large and increasing trade and is 
esteemed throughout the county for his strict 
business principles and upright character. He 
is at present carrying a stock worth twelve 
thousand dollars and also owns considerable 
property in and al)ont Rupert, including a 
Inie farm. Oiu" subject was one of the first 
in this section to engage in the bicycle busi- 



ness, and besides he is an expert rider and has 
won many prizes for l)oth speed and trick rid- 
ing. ]\Ir. Boody is an unwa\ering Democrat. 

On December 21, 1887, Sarah L. Nichols 
of Bridgeton, N. J., and our subject were 
united in marriage, and as a result of this 
union three children blessed their home : 
Mary Catherine; Porter Rupert, who died in 
infancy; and Letitia Morgan. 

As one of the esteemed citizens of Columbia 
County, Lincoln Boody occupies an envial)le 
position. He possesses more than ordinary 
intelligence, is truly a self-made man, of high 
principles, upright and iionorable in all his 
dealings, and is a citizen whose worth is ap- 
preciated at its full value. 




was 
lan( 



EW C. FOSNOT, the subject of this 
short sketch, the able editor of the 
Watsontown Record and Star, 
born February 8, 1848, in Cumber- 
County, Pa., and is a son of Jacol) and 
Mary (Vanderbilt) Fosnot. 

Jacob Fosnot, our subject's father, was born 
in 1804, and died in 1850. He was a wea\er 
by trade. He married Mary Vanderbilt. who 
was born in 1804. and died in 1872, surviving 
her husl)and twenty-two years. Their family 
consisted of twelve children, eight of whom 
grew to maturity, as follows: William C. ; 
Mary Jane; Martha M.; JohnC. ; Joshua V.; 
Edward \\'. ; Lew C. ; and Henry J. 

Lew C. Fosnot, oiu' suljject, received a 
good education in the public schools and then 
learned the printer's trade. Feeling it his duty 
to serve his country in her hour of need he 
enlisted as a jjrivate on January 30, 1864, in 
Battery G, 2d Reg,, Pa. Artillery, and ser\ed 
until January 29, 1866, going with the armies 
of the Potomac and James. He was also em- 
ployed in the L^nited States \\'eather Bureau 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



141 



for tliree months. In 1877 he became the 
editor of the W'atsontown Record, and in 1882 
began the publication of the West Branch 
Star, which lie has continued to edit with 
marked success until the present time. In 
1884 the Record was consolidated with the 
Star under the name of the Record and Star. 
In politics the paper is independent, always 
championing that which is best for the town 
and county. 

Mr. Fosnot has ever upheld the principles 
of the Democratic party, and is a member of 
the G. A. R. and I. O. O. F. On January 
2T,. 1871, he was united in marriage with 
Belle Westafer of Newville. Pa., and three 
children blessed this union, but only one son, 
John Clyde, survives, the two daughters. Lu- 
lu Maud and Bessie Irene. ha\ing gone to a 
better world. 




RIAS BLOO.M of Sunbury, North- 
umberland County, formerly was 
register of wills, recorder of deeds 
and clerk of the Orphans' Court of the coun- 
ty. He is a son of Hiram and ]\Iaria (Hile- 
man) Bloom, and was born in Lower Augusta, 
now Rockefeller townshi]i. Northumberland 
County, April i, 1854. 

Our subject's ancestors were pioneers of 
Northumberland County and for five gener- 
ations the family has been prominent and in- 
timately connected with the growth and his- 
tory of the county. The first of the family to 
locate in the county, Stephen Bloom, settled 
there prior to 1795 as is demonstrated by his 
will. A son of Stephen, Samuel Bloom, was 
the father of Jacob Bloom, and Jacob was 
the parent of Hiram Bloom, the father of our 
subject. Samuel Bloom was commissioned a 
justice of the peace in Februarv. 1809, was 
county commissioner from i8i.-^ to 181 5, and 



was county treasurer in 1834-36. He bought 
the farm on which he long resided from Mar- 
tin Raker and wife in 1797 and the property, 
which is near the old stone church in Rocke- 
feller township, is now owned l)y the subject 
of our sketch who prizes it highly. Hiram 
Bloom, father of our subject, was born in what 
is now Rockefeller township, October 22, 
183 1, and was a son of Jacob and Julia Ann 
(Bartholomew) Bloom. He was a carpenter 
by trade, also was a farmer, and for some years 
ran a saw-mill. He married Maria Hileman, 
mother of our subject, in 1852. She was a 
daughter of Daniel Hileman of Rockefeller 
township. 

The subject of this sketch, L'rias Bloom, is 
the eldest of nine children, eight of whom are 
living. He was educated in the common 
schools and when sixteen years old began 
work as a school teacher, which he continued 
for four years when he accepted a clerkship in 
the ofBce of Lemuel Shipman, then recorder. 
He served also under the successor of Mr. 
Shipman. George D. Bucher, remaining a 
clerk in the recorder's office until 1886 when 
he assumed his duties as register of wills and 
recorder of deeds to which office he was 
elected in 1885 as a Democrat. In 1885, when 
he first stood for the office. Mr. Bloom's popu- 
larity was well demonstrated by the fact that 
he ran 250 votes ahead of the other candi- 
dates on the Democratic ticket. He was re- 
elected in 1888, when he surprised even his 
closest friends and all of his admirers by run- 
ning over 1,200 \otes ahead of his ticket. 

Mr. Bloom was married in Lower Augusta 
township, November 25, 1879, to Anna M. 
W'intersteen and their union has been blessed 
with four children, Essie L^arda, Grace Imo- 
gene, Goldie Edna, and an infant son. Mr. 
Bloom is a Mason, also an Odd Fellow, and 
is a member of the M. E. Church. 



142 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 




GRACE BREECE, who has been the 
efficient secretary of tlie Y. M. C. A. 
of licrwick since October, 1893, 
is a son of Daniel and Alary (Case) Breece, 
and was born in Colnmbia Connty, Pa., in 

Daniel Breece, father of onr snliject. was 
born in L)Coniing Connt_\-. where he learned 
the trade of a mechanical engineer which he 
followed for many years at Irondale. He 
then moved to Bloomsbnrg, where he resided 
the remainder of his life. He was nnited in 
marriage to Mary Case, a danghter of Wil- 
liam Case, and they were the parents of nine 
children: Jane, wife of J. B. Robinson; Mar- 
garet, deceased; George, deceased; Horace, 
in whom the interest of this .sketch centers; 
]''liza, deceased; Hannah, a teacher of Blooms- 
bnrg; William 11., who was born October 3, 
1863, in Bloomsbnrg and learned the trade of 
a mechanic; he entered the employ of The 
Jackson & W'oodin Manufactnring Company 
in 1886, and later held a position in the boiler- 
room. In 1893 he was promoted to the posi- 
tion of engineer, and has since had charge of 
the wonderfnl Porter-Allen cut-ofY engine 
with ;i horse power of 900, which fnrnishes 
power by Manila cables to the machine shops, 
fonndry, framing-shoii, and other departments 
of the ])lant. He was nnited in marriage to 
Emma Lnndey, a danghter of Pierce Lundy 
of Berwick, and they have an adopted daugh- 
ter. D. Ollie, who was born July 17, 1890. The 
remainder of the children born lo Air. and 
.Mrs. Breece were: Dr. Ervin, deceased; and 
Dora, a teacher. Mr. Breece was called to his 
eternal resting place at the age of seventy 
_\ears. His wife survives him and li\-es in the 
old homestead at Bloomsbnrg. 

Horace Breece attended tlie i)nblic schools 
of Bloomsbnrg. after which he learned the 
trade of steam engineering which he followed 



for three years. In 1879 he removed to Ber- 
wick and became an engineer for The Jackson 
& W'oodin Manufacturing Company, and 
failhfidly acted in that cajiacity for fourteen 
years, when he was appointed secretary of the 
Berwick Y. M. C. A. The association was 
organized in 1878 in the basement of the M. 
E. Church by C. H. Zehnder. who was as- 
sisted by George S. Bennett and George Lep- 
pard. They elected the following officers : 
C. G. Jackson, president; Isaiah Bower, vice- 
president: and C. H. Zehnder. secretary, 
without pay. It was establisheil in rooms 
donatetl by The Jackson & \\'oodin Manu- 
facturing Company which also furnished the 
light and heat free of cost to the association. 
As the institution flourished and the meml)er- 
ship increased rapidly, the rooms were found 
to be too small, and the erection of a more 
adequate building was planned, the following 
donations having been generously offered : 
$6,000 and tlie light by Mr. C. R. W'oodin; 
a three-story dwelling house and $3,000 by 
Mrs. E. S. Jackson; and liljeral subscriptions 
by many of the prominent business men. This 
enabled the association to begin work on the 
present building in 1884 and it was dedicated 
April 7, 1885 with suitable services. 'It is a 
handsome brick building, 45 by 66 feet, con- 
taining two stories and a basement: has a 
beautiful library containing 5,000 volumes; a 
large and spacious reading room; two social 
rooms on tiie first floor; an auditorium with a 
seating capacity of 350 peoi)le; parlors: and 
in the basement a large gynmasium for the 
accommodation of athletic young men; and 
also good baths. The building is well sup- 
plied with electric lights and gas and is heated 
by a hot-air system. There has been an ever- 
increasing membership under the faithful 
guidance of Mr. Breece and preceding secre- 
taries, and there are now over three hundred 



» 



\ 




ULYSSES BIRD. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



145 



members enrolled. ]\Ir. Breece is a man of 
purimse and it has ever been his aim to ele- 
vate the social and mora! standing of the com- 
numity. 

OiH" snbject was joined in the bonds of mat- 
rimony to Sadie \'an Horn, a daughter of 
Abraham and Susan Van Horn of Blooms- 
burg, Pa., and they became the parents of the 
following children : George, who died in in- 
fancy; May L.; Fred N. ; and Horace Wil- 
lard. Mr. Breece is past commander of the 
Knights of ]\Ialta, a member of the Knights 
of the Golden Eagle, and a member of the 
Junior Order of United American ^lechanics. 




LYSSES BIRD, a representative 
farmer and surveyor of Elkland 
township, is descended from one of 
the oldest families of Sullivan County. He is 
a son of George C. and Harriet (Kaye) Bird, 
and was born on the farm on which he now 
resides, October 3, 1856. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, Pow- 
ell Bird, was born in Norfolk, England, and 
came to this country in 1792, locating in 
Northumberland County. Pa. He made the 
acquaintance of Dr. Joseph Priestly, who 
owned extensive landed interests in what is 
now Sullivan County, and offered choice 
tracts of land as an inducement to the early 
settlers to make that their home. In 1794 
Mr. Bird located on a tract of 150 acres, all of 
which was located in Forks township on the 
Little Loyalsock Creek, upon which J. K. 
Bird now resides, and, with William Moly- 
neux and John Warren, was the first to locate 
in the county. They all lived within a few 
miles of each other, each having cleared a 
piece of land on which to erect log cabins and 
tiien been joined by their families. The cen- 



tennial of the settlement of these three old 
pioneer families was celebrated at the Forks- 
ville Fair. October 5, 1894, and excited much 
favorable connnent. This hardy old ancestor 
of our subject de\()ted the remainder of his 
life to clearing up the place. Being a weaver 
by trade he built a loom and wove all of the 
cloth for his own family and neighbors. Liv- 
ing as they did out in the forest far from civili- 
zation with none but the wild animals for 
friends, these pioneers met with many thrill- 
ing experiences and at times narrowly averted 
death. Mr. Bird was a man of education and 
during the last years of his life acted as local 
Baptist minister. It may indeed be said that 
his was an exemplary life, one of which his 
descendants are justly proud. He married 
Lydia Hannant and they became the parents 
of twenty-one children, nineteen daughters 
and two sons, the following being the only 
ones of whom there is any record : Mrs. Mary 
Jones; George; Mrs. Rebecca Molyneux, 
the first white child born in Sullivan 
County, who was born June i, 1797; Mrs. 
Sarah Bennett; Mrs., Ruth Bennett; Mrs. 
Lydia Yours; Mrs. Eleanor Bull; Esther; 
Philip I.; Mrs. Elizabeth Summers; and lona. 
Powell Bird lived to the age of eighty years, 
dying April 13, 1829; his wife died June 29, 
1832, both being buried in the Bird family 
cemetery, a portion of th^ original purchase. 
George Bird, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in 1790 and after reaching man- 
hood inherited the old homestead upon which 
he Iniilt the frame house, which is still stand- 
ing and in good condition. He followed 
farming all of his life and, as his sons grew up, 
with their aid built and operated a saw-mill, 
the lumber from which he tloated down the 
river on rafts to market. He was a Whig in 
politics. Mr. Bird was famous as a hunter 
and killed many panthers and wolves and 



H6 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



l)ears without limit. Me once saved the Hfe 
of his nephew, Joh .Summers'. l)y (lespatcliing; 
a panther which held .Mr. Sunmiers in its em- 
brace. Mr. Bird married Sarah King and 
their children were as follows : Phoebe, who 
married Jolin Fawcett; I'owell, who married 
Sarah Molyneux; Mary, who married Thomas 
Norton; Thomas, who died in early youth; 
iLsther who married Richard Biddle; Lydia, 
who married Joseph Fawcett: Charles, who 
married Harriet ^lolyneux; William, who 
died at an early age; George C. ; Ann; and 
John K., who married Carrie Yonkin. Mr. 
liird died on July 14, 1872, and his wife passed 
away in 1867 at the age of seventy-nine years. 
George C. Bird, our su1)ject's father, was 
l)orn on the old homestead February 14, 1829. 
He assisted his father in the duties about the 
farm until 1855 when he purchased a tract of 
106 acres on the Strong Run Creek. At the 
time of his purchase the tract was a wilder- 
ness untouched b\- tlie hand of man, and after 
clearing fifteen acres he erected a board cabin, 
the lumber for which was obtained with great 
difficulty, a portion of it being carried by 
hantl, as there were no wagon roads. There 
he located with his bride, and they have lived 
there to this day, clearing away the forest and 
converting the land into rich and cultivated 
fields. After a time the cabin became unsuited 
to the marked advancement which had been 
made in other particulars and in 1857 it was 
replaced by a commodious house. Mr. Bird 
took great pleasure in hunting and fishing. 
He killed several bears, about 300 deer and 
scores of small game. Game became scarce 
in his locality and he made several trips up the 
West Branch of the Susquehanna River on 
most successful hunting expeditions. Al- 
though Mr. Bird is now almost three-score 
and ten he is hale and hearty and his business 
transactions are extensix'e. he being a large 



dealer in lumber. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican and has served as jury commis- 
sioner and assessor, and has filled a number of 
township ofifices. He is a man of marked abil- 
ity and is well known to the citizens through- 
out his section of the county. His union with 
Harriet Kaye resulted in the following off- 
spring: Ulysses; Alma, who is the wife of 
W. F. :Miller; Mary, the wife of G. C. Bird- 
sail; Jennie, wife of J. P. Rogers; Nellie, who 
married Charles Clark : and Isadore, who mar- 
ried B. R. Plotts. 

Ulysses Bird, the subject of this biograph- 
ical record, attended the public schools and 
the Normal National University of Lebanon, 
Ohio, where he took a special course in sur- 
veying and bookkeeping, graduating with 
high honors in the class of 1885. Our subject 
has a permanent certificate from the state for 
teaching and has already taught twelve terms. 
He has since devoted his time principally to 
farming and surveying in Sulli\an and Brad- 
ford counties, being highly successful. In 
1885 he purchased fifty-six acres of the old 
homestead farm, upon which he built a fine 
modern home, and has since bought an addi- 
tional tract of one hundred and fifty acres of 
timberlanti, engaging in lumbering to a great 
extent. He is a man of exceptional business 
ability, honest and energetic, and he occupies 
a high place in the estimation of his fellow- 
citizens. ]\fr. Bird has held all the offices in 
the Sullivan County Agricultural Society and 
at this date is president of the organization. 

Mr. Bird was united in marriage with 
Emma McCadden, a daughter of Thomas and 
Hannah (Lockwciod) McCadden. Thomas 
McCadden was born in England in 1832 and 
came to the United States in 1868, locating in 
Philadelphia. At the time of his death, in 
1898, he was living in the city of Brooklyn. 
He was the father of the following children : 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



147 



Joseph: Mary; Joseph; Alfred; George; 
Emma; Herbert: Mary H.; Selina; James; 
Earnest; Lillie; Dora; Delbert; and Arthur. 
Our subject and his wife are the happy par- 
ents of five children : Carl Orlando, born April 

28, 1886; LaRue, born April 5. 1887; Victor, 
born January 18, 1889; Lloyd Vernon, born 
September 7, 1890; and Myra, born October 

29. 1894. Mr. Bird has been a life-long Re- 
publican and he has served as school director, 
county auditor for six years, for ten years as 
justice of the peace, and in 1890 he was census 
enumerator. In religious views he is a Wes- 
leyan ^Methodist. He is a member of the Pa- 
triotic Order Sons of America and of the 
Grange. His portrait is shown on another 
page of this work. 



rgl IRAM H. BROWN is one of the hon- 
■=^ ored and prominenc farmers of Scott 
township, Columbia County, Pa., 
and is also successfully engaged in raising and 
selling the Italian honey bee. He was born 
in Mifflin township, Columbia County, June 
29, 1837, and is a son of John and Jane 
(Hutchison) Brown. 

There is in the Brown family an old Bible 
and on a fly-leaf the following lines were 
written by James Brown, the great-great- 
great-grandfathcr of our subject: "England 
is my native land and Long Island my home," 
and dated 1716. He probably moved to 
Hainesburg, N. J., and there spent his re- 
maining days, at least his son John, the great- 
great-grandfather of our subject, resided there 
and was the owner of considerable property. 
The latter built an old stone house and above 
the door appears the date 1789; this ancient 
building is still being used and is owned by a 
Mr. Brugler, one of his descendants. John 



Brown disposed of his property in the state 
of New Jersey and moved to Mifflin town- 
ship, Columbia County, Pa., and purchased 
a large tract of land four miles east of the town 
of Mifflin. Finding his purchase unsuitable 
for farming land he sold the property and 
bought what is now known as the Rosebud 
farm, which is in Mifflin township. In addi- 
tion to farming he was a gunsmith and black- 
smith by trade; he served throughout the Rev- 
olutionary War, and besides doing the duties 
of a regular soldier, he shod the horses in camp 
and repaired guns. He was treasurer of the 
Nescopeck Bi-idge Company at Berwick, Pa., 
as is shown by a share of stock. No. 105, now 
in possession of his great-grandson, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, which share is dated Aug- 
ust 6, 1814. He was twice married and was 
the father of five children, namely: James, 
Samuel, Mary, Elizabeth, and Sarah. 

Samuel Brown, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was reared on his father's farm, and was 
a farmer and miller. He operated what is 
now known as the Brown Mills which were 
supposed to have been erected by his father. 
He was wedded to Dortha Nice of Philadel- 
phia, and they reared the following children : 
John, the father of our subject; Mary Mar- 
garet, who' was the wife of Samuel Creasy of 
Mifflin township, both now deceased; 
Sarah, deceased, was the wife of George A. 
Bowman, also of Scott township: William N., 
deceased, was formerly a farmer of Mifflin 
township, but later owned the Brown Mills, — 
he is the father of James C. Brown, editor of 
one of Bloomsburg's most flourishing papers; 
Mathew, late a farmer of Mifflin township; 
James, deceased, who was a boatman on the 
Schuylkill Canal; Elizabeth, who wedded 
Alexander Thompson of Berwick, Columbia 
County; George B., deceased, who was a den- 
tist and book and stationerv dealer of Dan- 



148 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ville. Pa.; and F.lislia. late a merchant of 
Mifflin. 

John Brown, tlic fatlier of our subject, car- 
ried on farniins' and operated the Brown 'SU'.h 
(hiring his early manhood, and was also en- 
gaged in the mercantile business at Mifflin. 
He was a \-ery i)rominent member of his 
community and took much interest in public 
affairs. Tolitically he was an old line Whig. 
H'e passed fmni this life February 21. 1855. 
lie was twice married and by his first wife, 
Mary Freas, a family of three children was 
reared, namely: Samuel, deceased, who was 
engaged in farming on the homestead; Freas, 
deceased, who started in life as a miller but 
later embarked in the mercantile business at 
Columbus, Fa.; and \\'illiam, who died in his 
infancy. His second marriage was to Jane 
Hutchison, whose father was a well-to-do 
farmer of Center townshi]), Columbia County. 
As a result of this union two sons and two 
daughters were born, namely: Margaret M., 
the wife of Hiram B. Freas, who reside in 
Chicago, 111.; our subject: Flizabeth, wife of 
William Hill, a farmer of Center townshi]). 
Columbia County; and ^lark, who died in his 
boyhood days. 

Hiram H. Brown was reared upon the farm 
until he was eleven years of age, when his 
father moved to Mifflin. Our subject was 
educated in tlie public and select schools of 
Bloomsburg, commenced teaching at the age 
of seventeen years, and taught twelve winters: 
during the summers of 1855-56 he attended 
the Dickinson Seminary at Williamsport, Pa. 
In 1857 he located at Limeridge, Columbia 
County, wdiere he was engaged in the lumber 
business until 1865. In the spring of 1866 
he moved upon the old Britton homestead and 
has since been engaged in the cultivation of 
the soil: he also deals extensively in Italian 
bees, and in bee colonics, combs, foundations 
and extractors. 



Mr. Brown was one of the chief organizers 
of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company, 
which entered upon its business career De- 
cember 2g, 1874, and on January 11, 1875, 
he was elected vice-president of tlie company, 
and has held that ofifice fourteen years. Jan- 
uary 1 1, 1892, he was elected secretary, which 
office he still holds. During the time when 
the Farmers' Grange flourished in this section, 
he was one of its most active supporters; was 
deputy grand master of Columbia and Lu- 
zerne counties from 1S73 to 1880, and during 
that period he assisted in organizing twenty- 
seven local (iranges. In i860 he joined 
Mountain Lodge. I. O. O. F., and in 1870 
withdrew to become a charter member of the 
Espy Lodge, No. 681, of which he is now 
past grand master: in 1863 he was elected 
to membership in \\'ashington Lodge, No. 
265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg; is a charter 
member of Camp No. 17, P. O. S. of A., of 
Light Street, and was district president of the 
same in 1895. In religious views Mr. Brown 
is an acti\-e member of the Methodist Church. 
He was school director three years and asses- 
sor of the township eighteen years. On March 
21, 1861, Mr. Brown and Elizabeth Conner 
were united in the bonds of matrimony, and 
they are the parents of three children, namely : 
Eber A., a mechanic of Light Street, who 
married Anna E. Beers of Bloomsburg, Pa., 
and they have a son, Claude C, born October 
7, 1898; Morse, who died in infanc)': and 
Hannah J., who married H. \\'. Black of 
White Hall, Pa., and they have one child, 
Edith. The Conner family is of Irish de- 
scent. John Conner, the grandfather of Mrs. 
Hiram Brown, was a well known tanner and 
farmer of Center township, Columbia Count)', 
and was one of the wealthiest men in that sec- 
tion of the state. He was a member of the 
Prcsbvterian Church. Mr. Conner was twice 



T. 



(f^ <^Mm 




JUDGE ROBERT TAYLOR. JR. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



151 



marrieil; his first wife was Miss Hill who bore 
him tlie following children : Mary; Thomas; 
Samuel: Isaiah; John: and Charles. His 
second wife was Elizabeth Nyer and two 
children resulted from this union, Joseph P. 
and Rebecca. Thomas Conner, the father of 
our sul)ject's wife, was ])orn in Center town- 
ship where he was engaged in farming all. his 
life. He died in September, 1862, at the age 
of fift_\--four years. He was a member of the 
Presbxterian Clun-cli. He formed a matri- 
monial alliance with Hannah Laubach, a 
daughter of Frederick Laubach, a farmer of 
Renton township, Columbia County. To this 
imion three sons and two daughters were 
born : John Freas, a farmer residing in Kan- 
sas; George, a farmer of Scott township: Eliz- 
alDCth, the wife of our subject: Alfred, de- 
ceased, who worked in a supply house and fur- 
niture store at Cape May, N. J.; and Marx- 
Catherine, wife of W. S. Conner, a resident of 
Trenton, N. ]. 



UDGE ROBERT TAYLOR, Jr., who 
for five }-ears faithfully served in the 
capacity of associate judge of Sullivan 
County, Pa., is now extensively engaged in 
farming and lumbering on liis estate of 370 
acres in Davidson township. He is a son of 
Frederick and Margaret (Edkin) Taylor, and 
was born in Shrewsbury township, Sullivan 
County, October 2, 1832. 

Our subject comes from one of the oldest 
and a leading family of the county, and is a 
grandson of Robert Taylor, who was the first 
of the family to locate in Sullivan County. He 
came from Lewistown, Pa., and took up a 
tract of land, thickly covered with timber, 
which he cleared. He ne.xt built a house and 
carried on farming in connection with oper- 
ating a grist-mill and a distillery. Thus he 



continued until his death at the age of sixty- 
two years, and became quite wealthy, owning 
at one time some 600 acres of land. He formed 
a marital union with Elizabeth Mayhue, and 
among their children was Frederick, the fath- 
er of our subject. 

Frederick Taylor was born in Shrewsbury 
township, Sullivan County, where he lived 
most of his life, and became a prominent citi- 
zen of Muncy Valley. He was a Democrat in 
politics and served as supervisor in the town- 
ship and as school director for many years. 
He was united in marriage with Margaret 
Edkin, a native of England, who came to this 
country with her father, George Edkin, who 
settled in Shrewsbury township, where he 
lived the remainder of his life, dying at the 
advanced age of eighty years. Mrs. Taylor's 
mother lix-ed to reach the ripe old age of nine- 
ty-three. This union was blessed by the birth 
of eight children, namely: Sarah, deceased, 
who was the wife of Beaver Kitchen, who re- 
sides at Montgomery Station, Pa.; William, 
deceased, who married Mary Anderson, who 
now resides in Shrewsbury township; Robert, 
Jr., the subject of this per.sonal history; 
George E., a record of whose life appears else- 
where in this Book of Biographies; Sophia, 
the widow of John Foust, resides in Muncy. 
Lycoming County; Deborah, deceased, was 
the wife of John Roach, who is also deceased: 
Margaret, deceased; and Theodore, who lost 
his life in 1865, while serving in the Union 
.\rmy. Mr. Taylor died on ALirch 13, iSSri, 
and his wife joined him lieyoncl the ri\er of 
Death in February, 1891. 

Robert Taylor, Jr., after receiving intel- 
lectual training in the common schools, at the 
age of eighteen years began working on the 
farm for his father and also engaged in lum- 
bering, continuing with his father until after 
his marriage. He then moved to his present 



152 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



farm, which consists of 370 acres of good land, 
and tliere has since carried on general farming 
and lumbering, besides dealing extensively in 
cattle. He has impro\ed the land to such an 
extent that it is one of the most valuable 
pieces of property in the section. He is a man 
of great energy and enterprise and has been 
decidedly successful in his various lines of 
business. In ])ri\ate life he is a good neigh- 
l)or and a kind friend, and possesses the es- 
teem of a large circle of acquaintances. 

In 1868 our subject married Sarah Sellers 
of Lycoming County, a daughter of Joseph 
and Elizabeth Sellers. The former was a 
blacksmith by trade, and both are now de- 
ceased. This union resulted in the following 
offspring: ( )cy, the wife of A. T. Armstrong, 
a merchant, lumber dealer, and the proprietor 
of a grist-mill at Sonestown, — they have four 
children, Rita, Taylor, Erma and ]\fary; 
Harry, born October 30. 1871; and Edna, 
who lives at home. In political affiliations 
Mr. Taylor is an unswerving supporter of the 
Democratic party, and for five years served 
the county as associate judge. He has been 
ta.x collector and supervisor, and has held 
mail)- township offices of minor importance. 
Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

A recent portrait of Mr. Taylor is shown 
on a preceding page, in connection with the 
above sketch of his life. 



OHN JEFFERSON, foreman in the 
Alaska Colliery at Mount Carmel, Pa., 
has been actively engaged in the min- 
ing business for many years, and by honest 
labor and untiring energy has worked his way 
from a lowly position to a well paying and 
prominent one. He enjovs the respect and 



esteem of his many friends and is ranked 
among the substantial citizens of the borough. 
He is a son of Joseph Jefferson and Elizabeth 
(Wilkinson) Jefferson, and was born in Potts- 
ville. Pa., May g, 1840. 

Joseph Jefferson, the father of our subject, 
was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1805, and 
about 183 J innnigrated to this country with 
his wife and two children, locating at Potts- 
\iile, P'a. He was a miner by occupation and 
followed mining in that vicinity for a time. He 
first operated the Young's Landing Colliery 
under a contract, but had the misfortune to 
lose three thousand dollars in the venture 
owing to the absconding of the man of whom 
the mine was leased. He later was injured in 
the mines and was coni])elled to give up that 
line of work, but he soon took to agricultural 
pursuits at which he was more successful. He 
was a man of nuich natural ability and com- 
manded the good-will of all with whom he 
was accjuainted. He was united in marriage 
with Elizabeth Wilkinson, and their union re- 
sulted in the birth of eight children, as follows : 
Mary, deceased; Robert, deceased; \\'illiam, 
deceased; Joseph, deceased; Ellen, who died 
in infancy; Charles and Henry, twins; and 
John, the subject of this biographical record. 

John Jefferson was educated in the public 
schools of Schuylkill County and in Green- 
wood Seminary. At the age of seventeen 
years he was apprenticed to the trade of a 
machinist tmder \\'illiam H. DeHavers and 
served for fourteen months, when he became 
dissatisiied, during the panic which prevailed 
in 1857, and gave up his ])osition. He then 
went into the mines as a laborer where he 
worked with a faithfulness to lie rewarded at 
the expiration of five years by promotion to a 
position as fire-boss. He continued in that 
capacity until 1874 when he was again given 
an atKance, becominsr a foreman, and as such 



SEX'ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



153 



lie has been serving up to the present time, 
with the exception of six years when he was 
su]ierinten(hng tlie Shamokin cohieries. He 
has been in the employ of the Reading; Com- 
l)anv for many years and is now inside-fore- 
man of the Alaska Colliery. He has ever been 
faithful to the best interests of his employers, 
who place high value on his services. 

Mr. Jeft'erson was united in marriage with 
Mary James, bv whom he had the following 
children: Jane; Elizabeth; John E., a rail- 
road man in the employ of the Lehigh X'alley 
Railroad; William, deceased; ]\Iary: Laura: 
Elizabeth: Joseph; Margaret; and Garfield. 
Our subject formed a second matrimonial al- 
liance with Ellen Six Smith, and two children 
blessed their imion, one of whom, Carrie, is 
now li\'ing. 

Politically our subject is a Republican, but 
is rather inclined to be independent, always 
supporting the man who in his opinion is best 
deserving of the ofifice and will best serve the 
people. Socially he is a member of the Grand 
Army of the Republic post at Mount Carmel ; 
the Odd Fellows Lodge at Shamokin; and of 
the Patriotic Order Sons of America at Mount 
Carmel. He is also a member of the Mount 
Carmel school board. 



Wko^ 



IGTON MADISON MOX- 
This honored citizen of 
Rupert, Pa., is successfully engaged in the 
manufacture of powder kegs and is agent 
for the Dupont Powder Companv. He was 
born in Aluncy, Lycoming County, Pa., Sep- 
tember 3. 1838 and is a son of Isaac S. and 
Elizabeth (Davis) Monroe, grandson of Ben- 
nett and Lucy (Sprague) ^Monroe, and great- 
grandson of Bennett ]\Ionroe. 

Bennett Monroe, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was a native of Scotland and with 



his brothers, Joseph and Nathan, immigrated 
to this country. One brother located in the 
state of Virginia and among his descendants 
was President James ^lonroe; another set- 
tled in the state of Rhode Island; and Bennett 
settled near the village of Woodstock, Vt., 
where some of his descendants yet reside. 
Bennett Monroe, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Woodstock, Vt., and died at 
his hinne in Bridgewater, Mass., in 1845. His 
wife was Lucy. Sprague, a member of the hon- 
ored Sprague family, of which Gov. Sprague 
was a descendant. 

Isaac S. Monroe, the father of our subject, 
was born in Woodstock, A't., in 1804. He 
possessed a good education and during his 
early life was engaged in contracting and pul)- 
lic work; in 1833 he moved to Catawissa, Co- 
lumbia County, where he built one and one- 
half miles of the Pennsylvania Canal. He 
took one of the first boats loaded with coal 
down the Schuylkill Canal from Pottsvil'.e to 
Philadelphia; he also took a boatload of pig 
iron from Catawissa to Harrisburg. Pa., over 
the Susquehanna River, which was probably 
the only successful trip ever made over that 
route. Later he engaged in the distilling bus- 
iness at Muncy, Lycoming County, and from 
there he moved to Columbia County where, 
from 1847 to 1863, he was extensively en- 
gaged in the lumber business. In 1863 he 
erected a building at Rupert and began the 
manufacture of powder kegs, which business 
he followed until his death, on February 4, 
1879. Mr. Monroe was internal revenue as- 
sessor of what was then the Thirteenth Con- 
gressional District but is now the Seventeenth 
Congressional District, from May, 1863, until 
November, 1865. From 1861 until his death 
he was general agent for the Dupont Powder 
Company, and the following seven counties 
were assisfued as his territory: Columbia. 



154 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Montour. Snyder, Lycoming, Sullivan, North- 
uin])erlan(l and Schuylkill. On February i, 
1870, he \va.s appointed by the governor as 
associate judge of Columbia County, and on 
November 9, 1870, he was elected to the same 
office for a term of five years. Politically 
Mr. Monroe was a stanch Democrat until the 
breaking out of the Rebellion when he joined 
the ranks of the Republican ]3arty. lie was a 
member of Gov. Porter's stafY with the rank 
of major. Socially our subject's father was a 
member of Catawissa Chapter, No. 178; past 
grand master of Catawissa Lodge, No. 349, 
F. Sz A. M.; and a member of Catawissa, now 
l)an\ille. Conmiandery, No. 37. He was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth Davis, a 
daughter of Jt)lm Da\is who was formerly a 
farmer of Montgomery County, but later of 
Franklin township, Columbia County. Seven 
children blessed the home of ]\Ir. and Mrs. 
Monroe, three of whom died in their infancy. 
Those who grew to maturity were as follows : 
Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Peter 
R. Baldy of Catawissa; Lucy S., died aged 
seventeen years; our subject; and Mary, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Austin H. Church 
of Wyoming County, Pa. 

\\'ashington M. Monroe, the only member 
of the family living, was educated in the public 
schools of Catawissa and in the Hill School of 
Pottstown, Pa. He was then employed by 
the Catawissa Railroad Company as operator 
and ticket-agent at Catawissa and after re- 
maining in the road's employ three years, 
in 1865 became a partner with his father in 
the manufacture of powder kegs; ui)on his 
fabler's death our subject succeeded him in 
the Ijusiness, and has since been agent for the 
Dupont Powder Company. The keg factory 
is a building 40 by 60 feet, has a capacity of 
1,000 kegs per day and gives employment to 
fifteen men. 



In politics Mr. Monroe is an unwavering 
Republican and has contributed much toward 
the success of his party in his community; his 
first vote was cast for Stephen A. Douglas. 
Religiously he and his family hold member- 
ship in the Episcopal Church; socially he is a 
member and ])ast master of Catawissa Lodge, 
No. 349. I*". i<: A. M.; Catawissa Chapter, No. 
178; and r^anville Commandery, No. 37. 
February 19, 1861, Mr. Monroe and Ellen B. 
Leonard, daughter of George T. I,eonard of 
.\mity township, Berks County, were unite<l 
in marriage, and to this union the following 
children have been given: George T., who 
was drowned in the Pennsylvania Canal in 
his boyhood days; Elizabeth, who is the 
wife of H. H. Royce, a cotton broker of New 
York City, whose home is at Crawford, N. J.: 
Mary E., who wedded William E. Johnston a 
telegraph operator at Rupert: and Ellen and 
Irene, both of whom are at home. 



OSEPH PARDOE is extensively en- 
gaged in general farming and lumber- 
ing in Elkland township, Sullivan 
County, and is one of the most reliable citizens 
of that communit}-. He comes of an old Sul- 
livan County family, and was born to William 
and Jane (McCarty) Pardoe, March 30, 1845. 
His grandfather was Jose])h Pardoe, who 
came to this country from his native land, 
England, locating at Northumberland, North- 
umberland County, Pa., where he became a 
neighbor of Dr. Priestlv, an extensive lan<l- 
owner in Sullivan County, whom he knew 
previously in England. From him he pur- 
chased 200 acres of uncleared land at two dol- 
lars per acre, and after clearing sufficient 
ground he erected a little log cabin into which 
he moved with his wife. Together they la- 
bored zealously and in time converted the 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



165 



wild timberland througli wliicli the wild ani- 
mals roamed at will into beautifnl fields, now 
under a liit;"h state of cultivation. In this little 
log cabin their children first saw the light of 
day and there grew to maturity. He lived 
a long and useful life, spending the last few 
years in retirement at the home of a daughter, 
having disposed of the old homestead to Wat- 
son Wright, Esq. He lived to reach the age 
of ninety years and his wife also reached a ripe 
old age, both now lying buried in the Pardoe 
burying-ground, a small tract set off from his 
farm for that purpose. Subsequent to settling 
in America, he married Sarah Roberts, and 
eight children blessed their home: William; 
Joseph; John; George; Richard; Thomas; 
Elizabeth; and Sarah. ' 

William Pardoe, the father of our subject, 
also took to agricultural pursuits and, upon 
reaching manhood, purchased a tract of land 
three miles south of the old homestead, which 
consisted of eighty acres of timberland. He 
made a clearing and built a log house, follow- 
ing farming there the remainder of his days. 
During the forty-third year of his age, while 
engaged in clearing some land, he severely cut 
his foot, and before receiving medical assist- 
ance almost bled to death. This wound finally 
resulted fatally. He married Jane ]\IcCarty, 
a daughter of Joel McCarty, and they reared 
five children: John, a resident of Forksville; 
Albert, deceased; Joseph, our subject; Joel, 
deceased; and Mary, the wife of Frank Barnes 
of Elkland township. Mrs. Pardoe was fifty- 
four years of age at the time of her demise. 
Politically Mr. Pardoe was originally a Whig, 
but became a Republican upon the organiza- 
tion of that party, serving in a number of ! 
township ofifices. Religiously he was a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends. 

Joseph Pardoe received his intellectual 
training in the district schools and was reared 



on a farm. Upon leaving the parental roof 
he l)OUght the Henry Iluckell farm of one- 
hundred and thirty-six and one-half acres, 
and there he has since lived, following a life 
of consistent industry and great happiness. 
In 1888 he built a new and handsome house 
for a residence and also erected a new l)arn. 
Surrounding the house are beautifully-laid- 
out-grounds which, with their large trees and 
hedges, present a striking appearance. He 
has not only engaged in general farming, but 
in lumbering to an extent, leasing portable 
saw-mills, and sending his lumber to market 
at New Albany, Pa., and at Wilkesbarre. He 
has not only attained the highest success in 
the business world but in private life is es- 
teemed by all who know him. 

Mr. Pardoe married Lizzie Molyneux, a 
daughter of John and Martha ]Molyneux, and 
she passed away in 1883, aged forty-three 
years. Our subject formed a second marital 
union with Mrs. ]\Iary Kelder, widow of Les- 
ter Kelder and a daughter of Edwin Saben, 
by whom he had one son, Thaddeus, a book- 
keeper of New Albany. In 1895 William 
Emery of Forksville, who at that time lost his 
wife, leaving him with three children, being in 
straitened circumstances he gave the sec- 
ond child, Gracie, to our subject and wife, with 
whom she has since li\ed. Politically Mr. 
Pardoe is a firm Republican and has served as 
auditor of the township. 



EREMIAH M. OSLER owns a val- 
uable piece of land along Elk Creek, 
Elkland town.ship, Sullivan County, 
where he is engaged in farming and lumber- 
ing, his life-long vocations. He is promi- 
nently known throughout the county as a 
man of untiring energv in anv business ven- 



156 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ture he undertakes and liis home and sur- 
roimdinijs are of a character showing him to 
l)e a careful, conscientious worker. He was 
liorn in Ilillsgrove township, Sullivan Coun- 
ty, Pa., June 25, i<S33, and is a son of John 
II. and Jane (Myers) Osier. 

The grandfather of our subject, Jeremiah 
Osier, was a native of New Jersey. When a 
young man he settled in Philadelphia where 
he was known to be one of the best carpenters 
in that city. He left a wife and two children, 
Jiihn II.. ;nid L}(lia, deceased. Our subject's 
grandmother was Catherine Hinkle Osier and 
she was again wedded to Samuel Bryan wlio 
in 1 8 10 moved to Muncy township where he 
worked at his trade as a carder and cloth- 
dresser; later he removed to Elkland town- 
shij) and bought the farm now owned by 
Charles Bryan. 

John H. Osier, father of our subject, 
started in life as an apprentice in the woolen 
factories at Muncy and being an economical 
man he sa\'ed enough of his hard-earned 
money with which to purchase a factory; 
after running a woolen factory from 1835 to 
1 84 1 he gave up that business and purchased 
the pro])erty now owned by Clay Osier. He 
died in Forksville in 1888 at the age of eighty- 
eight years. His wife was Jane Myers and 
they became the jiarents of the following 
children: Jeremiah ^I.; Sarah Jane, de- 
ceased; Catherine, now Mrs. Huckell; John 
S.. who resides in Elkland township and mar- 
ried (iertrnde Ketchnm; Julia Ann; Cla_\- M.. 
who wedded Alice Corson and resides in 
l'~orks township; Lydia S.; David \V., who 
resides in Lycoming County; H. Wilson, who 
died young: and Edwin R., who lives in Mary- 
land where he practices medicine. Mr. Osier 
was an old line Whig, later a Republican, and 
held many township offices: religiously he 
was a member of the Methodist Church. 



Jeremiah M. Osier attended the schools in 
his native township where he attained a good 
business education. The first two years spent 
on his own accoimt were passed in farming 
and lumbering on his father's farm. He then 
came to his present farm, which consists of 
one hundred and eighty-five acres, and is sit- 
uated in one of the best farming districts in 
Sullivan County. Our subject built a saw-mill 
and rafted his lumber down the river to the 
markets below doing a large business. He 
also owns a large tract of timber land and 
takes contracts for bark-peeling, giving em- 
ployment to hundreds of men. Mr. Osier is 
liberal with the poor and among his fellow- 
citizens he is esteemed and resjiected bv all: 
like his father and mother he is a good 
neighl)or and an excellent citizen. In 1892 
he erected a handsome frame dwelling and a 
large barn and has one of the l)est farms in 
Elkland township. 

Mr. Osier formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Julia A. Brown, who has been of great 
assistance to him, and who has ablv borne her 
share of the burden in accumulating their 
present fine ])ropertv and rearing and educat- 
ing their family. She is a daughter of George 
W. and Marv (Snvder) Brown. Her father 
was a son of John and Mary (Watson ) Brown, 
who reared a family of six children, namely: 
William, George W., John. Thomas, Ann and 
Elizabeth. John Brown settled where Henry 
Brown now resides and died there aged eigh- 
ty-four years. George W. Brown purchased 
land in Eorks township upon which he built 
a saw-mill and carried on farming and lumber- 
ing all his active days. He died in 1889 aged 
eighty-si.x years, while his wife departed from 
this earth in 1892 aged eighty-eight years. 
They reared the following children: Charles; 
Elizabeth: William \\'.: Marv; Ti'li:i Ann. our 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



157 



sul)ject's wife; Jolm S. ; George W. ; Effie: 
and Margaret J. 

Mr. and Mrs. Osier are the proud parents of 
tlie following children : Hiram \V., of Elk- 
land township, who wedded Sadie King by 
whom he reared five children. Ina, Sidney, 
Marion, John, and Annie, — he was sheriff of 
Sullivan County in i8y8; Horace Newton a 
prominent dentist of Dushore, Pa., formerly 
a veterinary surgeon, a graduate of the To- 
ronto (Ont.) Veterinary College, who was 
joined in marriage with Catherine Rogers, — 
two children ha\'e been born to them, Lena 
and Donald ; Charles W., died aged two years; 
I dim G., died aged twenty-si.x years; Jose])h 
W'., wedded Effie Jones and they reside in 
Tioga County, Pa.; Mary Jane, deceased, who 
was the wife of D. F. McCarty; Irvin, died 
aged four years; Lillie, wife of Grant Little 
and the mother of three children, Fanny M., 
Julia, and Otto G.; Fanny W., died aged 
sixteen years; Nellie J., joined in the bonds of 
wedlock with Moses Randall and two child- 
ren, Jeremiah M. and Ransom \\^, have been 
born to them; and Boyd L., who is a student. 

In politics our subject is independent and 
has served in minor township offices; relig- 
iously he and his wife are members of the 
Christian Church. 



M 



R. JOHN C. RUTTER, one of the 
oldest and highly-respected citizens 
of Bloomsliurg, located in the town 
in 1855 and began the practice of his profes- 
sion. Not only his own success depended on 
his efforts in this field, but that of the Homeo- 
pathic School as well, for he was the first 
Homeopathic physician in Columbia County 
and the only one in the town of Bloomsburg 
for a period of twenty-five years following. 
He was a faithful student of his profession 



and prosperity has been his reward, as no 
physician in the community ever handled so 
large a practice. 

Our subject was born near the city of Wil- 
mington, Del., December 12, 1826, and is a 
son of Thomas and Sarah (Baker) Rutter. 
His grandfather was Joshua Rutter who with 
his brother. Thomas, came from England to 
this country previous to 1790. Thomas be- 
came a merchant of Baltimore, Md. Joshua 
Rutter bought a farm near the city of Balti- 
more where he spent the remainder of his 
days in agricultural pursuits. 

Thomas Rutter, the father of our subject, 
was born on the old homestead farm in 1792 
and followed the occupation of a farmer his 
entire life. Later in life he settled near Ches- 
ter, Pa., where his latter days were spent, dy- 
ing in the year 1848. He formed a matri- 
monial alliance with Sarah Baker, a daughter 
of John and Lydia (Marks) Baker of Wil- 
mington, New Castle County, Del. This union 
resulted in the following issue: John C, a 
record of whose life is here given; Elizabeth, 
widow of Daniel Crowther; Margery, widow 
of a Mr. Holt; Mary, wife of a Mr. Taylor; 
^Mlliam, who died at an early age; Joshua, 
who is interested in cotton works in the state 
of Delaware; and Thomas, whose death oc- 
curred in youth. Mrs. Rutter is yet living at 
the age of eighty-seven years. 

Dr. John C. Rutter attended the public 
schools until he was fourteen years of age. 
Three years later he went to Wilmington, 
Del., where he accepted a clerical position. 
At the age of twenty years he took up the 
study of medicine under the tutelage of Dr. 
Caleb Harlan of AMlmington and later at- 
tended the Homeopathic Medical College of 
Philadelphia, which is now known as the 
Hahnemann Medical College. In the month 
of Mav, following his graduation from the 



158 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



al)()\e-mentione(l institution on March 3, 
1S55. he removed to IJloomsburg wlicre lie 
lias since practiced medicine. 

Dr. Rutter and Jane Clayton, a daughter of 
Jolni and Ann (Perkins) Clayton, were mar- 
ried .\ugust 26, 1848, and a record of their 
children is as follows: Lamartine, who mar- 
ried l.ydia Rodemoycr, and who resides near 
Iicllefonte. Pa.; Henry Harlan, proprietor of 
the Muncy Democrat of Luzerne County, was 
a member of the State Legislature from that 
county in 1894 and 1895. "i'"' chose Eva 
Cloud as his comjjanion in life; Dr. Everett 
Webster, a practicing physician of Freeland, 
Luzerne County; Mary Ellen, widow of Dr. 
I). W. Conners of Wilkesbarre, Pa.: Adah 
Louisa, who married Newton W. Barton: 
Margaret, who is at home: Rachel M., de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Dr. C. B. Frantz; 
and John C, who married Hattie McKelvy, 
and is connected with the editorial depart- 
ment of The Democratic Sentinel of Blooms- 
burg. Politically our subject is a nicml)er of 
the Democratic party and has served for many 
years on the board of pension examiners. He 
attends the Episcopal Church, of which his 
faniih- are members. 




APTATX HARRISON J. CONNER. 
There is, perhaps, nothing of which 
a man may be more excusably 
])roud than of gallant service in the cause of 
his country, nor is there any ser\-ice which 
lives longer in the grateful memory of a peo- 
ple. Capt. Conner was among those who 
early offered their services to their countr)- in 
its hour of peril and who never deserted their 
post until a peace crowned their efYorts. He 
is one of the highly respected citizens of 
Orangeville. Pa., and was born in that town 
I )cconiber <). 184T, and is a son of Tsaiah and 



Catherine R. (Millard) Conner, and a grand- 
son of John Conner. 

The Conner family is of Irish origin, and 
John Conner, the grandfather of our subject, 
located in Center township, Columbia Coun- 
ty, Pa., and, building a large tannery, he 
engaged in tanning, which business he con- 
ducted in connection with farming. He passed 
from this life in 1862 at the age of eighty 
years. He was the progenitor of a large fam- 
ily of children. 

Isaiah Conner, the father of our subject. 
was born in Center township, Columbia Coun- 
ty, Pa., in 1 81 2, and his younger days were 
spent working in the tannery owned l)y his 
father. Upon attaining his manhood he 
moved to Orangeville, Columbia County, 
where he successfully engaged in the tannery 
business until his death, which occurred in 
1855 at the age of forty-two years. Mr. Con- 
ner was married to Catherine R. Millard, a 
daughter of Reece Millard, late a farmer of 
Briarcreek, now Center township. To this 
union the following children were born : Har- 
rison J., the subject of this sketch; Anna 
Rebecca, deceased; Clara, deceased; Millard, 
a pr(3minent resident of Orangeville: and 
William T., who died aged thirty years. 

Capt. Conner received his intellectual train- 
ing in the public schools of his native town 
and at Millville Academy at Millville, Pa., and 
after his father's death he became connected 
with the tannery industry and continued that 
line of Inisiness until the breaking out of the 
Civil War. Being inspired by patriotic feel- 
ing, he ofTered his services in defense of the 
Union, and April 22, 1861, enlisted as a pri- 
vate in Company A, 6th Reg., Pa. Reserves. 
His patriotic ardor found full vent on many a 
hard-contested field of battle where he was 
eager to discharge his full duty. Our subject 
toiik part in all the engagements of the .\riny 




HON. MONROF. H. KULP. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



161 



of the Potomac, the most prominent of which 
were the battles at Dranesville, Va., Decem- 
ber 20, 1861; Second Bull Run, August 29- 
30-31, 1862; South Mountain, Md., Septem- 
l^er 14, 1862; Antietam, September 17, 1862; 
Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862: 
Gettysburg. Pa., July 1-3, 1863; New Hope 
Church; Wilderness; Cold Harbor; and 
Bethesda Church. On September 25, 1862, 
he was ai)pointed second lieutenant, in which 
position he ser\-ed until his discharge. He re- 
ceived an honorable discharge at Harrisburg, 
Pa., June 11, 1864. In January, 1865, he was 
appointed first lieutenant of Company G, 3d 
Reg., U. S. Yet. \^ol., Hancock's ist Army 
Corps, but was later promoted to captain, and 
was connected with Hancock's Corps which 
was retained at Washington after the close of 
the war. At the close of his military career he 
spent two years traveling through the West 
and then returned to Orangeville, where he 
has since been engaged in various kinds of 
business. He was one of the organizers of the 
Bloomsburg & Sullivan Railroad, and is a 
member and secretary of the board of direc- 
tors. 

In politics Capt. Conner is a stanch Repul)- 
lican and in 1881 he was elected justice of the 
peace and has held that office to the present 
time. He is a past commander of Ent Post, 
G. A. R., of Bloomsburg. and is now a mem- 
ber of Pealer Post, Xo. 435, G. A. R., of 
Orangeville; and is past master of Orange- 
ville Lodge, No. 460, F. & A. IM. 




ON. MONROE H. KULP, ex-Con- 
-essman from the Seventeenth 
Congressional District of Penn- 
sylvania, and a man of large and varied busi- 
ness interests throughout the state, is a son 
of the late Darlington R. and Elizabeth (Gil- 



bert) Kulp, and was born October 23, 1858, 
in Barto, Berks County. Pa. 

Darlington R. Kulj) was one of the most 
successful lumber dealers in Northuml)erland 
County. He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
November 29, 1826, and was a son of Christian 
and Catharine (Renninger) Kulp, natives cjf 
Pennsylvania, the former of Montgomery and 
the latter of Berks County. Both spent their 
li\es in Eastern Penns\-l\ania, where they 
li\'ed to the ages of sex'enty-three and eighty- 
three years. res]Dectively. The Kulp family is 
of Holland origin, and were among the 
early settlers of Pennsylvania, whose thrifty, 
frugal and industrial habits are so vividly out- 
lined in the history of the early growth of the 
state. D. R. Kulp was reared near Potts- 
town, Montgomery County, where he at- 
tended the district schools at intervals, receiv- 
ing a \ery limited education. He learned the 
carpenter's trade, and earlv engaged in the 
lund^er business. On October 5, 1851, he 
was united in marriage with Elizabeth Gil- 
bert, daughter of George and Sallie (Houck) 
Gilbert of Montgomery County. She was 
born in New Hano\'er, Montgomery County, 
and bore her hnsljand tweh'e children, eight 
of whom were living but a short time ago, as 
follows : Zipporah, wife of Chester B. Thomas 
of Shamokin; Joanna Catharine, widow of 
Edwin Shuman; Monroe H.; Clayton A.; 
Ella J.; Chester G.; Howard C: and Gilbert 
G., all residents of Shamokin. In October, 
1867, Mr. Kulp removed to Shamokin and 
continued the lumber business in partnership 
with D. S. Shultz and William R. Bechtel, 
under the style of Shultz, Bechtel & Com- 
pany. In 1869-70 he operated Ben Franklin 
Colliery under the name of Kulp, Bechtel & 
Company. In July, 1871, he joined in part- 
nership with ]\Iatthias Emes and the firm of 
Kulp & Emes continued about six years when 



162 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the latter was succeeded Ijy Isaac F. Stetler. 
May I, 1878, C. Q. McWilliams purchased 
Mr. Stetler's interest and the firm name be- 
came Kulp & ^fcWilliams. In 1879 tliey 
added ice and brick to their luniljer business, 
and carried on all three until January i, 1882, 
when W. C. McConnell became a member of 
the firm, ;ind Kul]), McWilliams & Company 
conducted the business until .\ugust 15, 1886, 
when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Kulp 
rctainiuL;' the lumber interest in the business, 
which he afterwards continued and in con- 
nection with which he boug;ht large tracts of 
forest land, cut the timber, and converted the 
]>ro])crty into productixc farms, owning at the 
time of his death some ten farms in Northum- 
berland and adjoining counties. In the spring 
of 1886 Mr. Kulp and his eldest son, Monroe 
11.. the subject of this historical review, 
oijcned a mcrcantiie store under the firm 
name of 1). K. Kulp & Son, which they con- 
ducted three years and then sold to J. O. 
Keeler. D. R. Kulp was first president of the 
Roaring Creek Water Cf)mpany and a di- 
rector of the Shamokin Water Company. Po- 
litically he was a \\'hjg and later a Republican. 
He was an emergency man diu-ing Gen. Lee's 
invasion of Penn.sylvania. He served in the 
borough coimcil and as supervisor of the poor 
in Coal townshij). Though reared in the Ger- 
man Reformed Church. Mr. Kulp afliliated 
with the Lutheran Church after locating in 
Shamokin. He was a member of Elysburg 
Lodge, No. 414, F. & .\. M., and Shamokin 
Chapter, No. 264, F. & A. M. He died Jan- 
uary 29, 1893, having earned for himself a 
splendid reputation as a progressive, enter- 
prising citizen, and an honest, upright man. 

Monroe H. Kulp was seven years old when 
his parents removed to Shamokin and at- 
tended a public scliool there during the winter 
months, and. when not engaged with school 



duties, worked about the collieries, so that at 
the age of seventeen years he had worked in 
nearly every branch of the coal industry. He 
entered the store of his father and worked 
there until the firm of Kulp & McWilliams 
was formed, in 1878. when he entered their 
employ and began studying the business in 
which he has since become so successful. 

Having a desire for a more liberal and ex- 
tended education, our subject entered the 
State Normal College at Lebanon, O., in 1879. 
and for two years pursued such studies as he 
thought would best adapt him for an active 
business life: and in 1881 he completed his 
school life by graduating from Eastman's 
Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. V.. 
where he made a decidedly creditable record, 
graduating from the business course of that 
institution in a shorter time tlian any other 
student had completed the course, and his 
work being highly complimented by the fac- 
ulty. 

On his return from Poughkeepsie, Mr. 
Kulp took charge of the Ijooks of Kulj). Mc- 
Williams & Company, and filled the position 
of bookkeeper and cashier in a most satis- 
factorv manner until the dissolution of the 
firm in 1886, when his father assumed the en- 
tire lumber business formerly operated by the 
firm, and from the above date mitil 1892 he 
was active in the management of the business 
conjointly with his father. During 1892 his 
father was stricken with the disease which re- 
sulted in his death and the entire rcsponsi- 
l)ility of the management of the business de- 
volved upon the son. The luidertaking was a 
big one as it included the sui)er\ision of busi- 
ness operations in timber in nine comities of 
Pennsylvania and West \"irginia, the timber 
tracts aggregating 20,000 acres and giving 
employment to 300 men. The executive 
abiiitx' which our suljject displayed and the 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



163 



business-like manner in which he discharged 
every duty in his new capacity attracted the 
attention of his friends and has contril)uted 
mucli to his subsequent success following the 
death of his father in 1893. Becoming one of 
the executors of his father's will, he managed 
the estate until October 5, 1895, when the 
firm of ]\Ionroe H. Kulp & Company was 
formed. This company soon began an investi- 
gation of some timber lands in Union Coun- 
ty, Pa., with the result that a company was 
formed and incorporated in 1897 for the pur-, 
pose of purchasing and developing this large 
tract of timl)er land. The company was 
formed under the title of M. H. Kulp & Com- 
pany, incorporated, and consisted of M. H. 
Kulp, president and general manager; G. 
Gilbert Kulp, vice-president; and D. C. Kase- 
man, secretary and treasurer. This company- 
purchased a tract of timber land aggregating 
25,000 acres and immediately set al^out de- 
veloping it with the characteristic energy of 
its head officer. It soon became apparent that 
in order to develop the lands a railroad must 
be built and a company, of which Mr. Kulp 
was president and general manager, was in- 
corporated for this purpose under the title of 
the Lewisburg & Buffalo Valley Railway 
Company. The company built a road eigh- 
teen miles in length connecting with the 
Pennsylvania and Reading roads at Lewis- 
burg and extending into this timl)er field. It 
is a well-equipped road for the transportation 
of timber products to Lewisburg, where the 
company operates a large steam saw-mill. 
This industry, which is perhaps the largest 
of its kind in the state, is devoted 'to the man- 
ufacture and shipment of lumber. 

Prior to the death of Darlington R. Kulp, 
the firm of Kulp, Thomas & Company had 
been formed, consisting of Darlington R. 
Kulp, Chester B. Thomas, and Monroe H. 



Kulp. This firm which operated at Milroy, 
Mifflin County, Pa., continued until the death 
of Mr. Kulp. ^^'hen the estate was settled, 
Monroe H. purchased the landed interests of 
this firm and the style of the firm has con- 
tinued the same to the ])resent time. This 
firm has also a large tract of timber land 
which acids consideral)le to the already exten- 
sive lumbering enterprises and includes about 
5,000 acres of white pine, yellow pine and 
oak forests, which is rapidly being converted 
into lumber through the agency of their big 
saw-mills, being reached In' the means of a 
fifteen-mile railroad. 

In addition to the above lumbering enter- 
prises of great magnitude and far-reaching- 
consequences in the (le\-elopnient of the in- 
dustries of the respective sections in which 
they are located, Mr. Kulp is largely inter- 
ested in a number of business corporations in 
the town of his residence. He is a director in 
Shamokin Water Company: Shamokin Street 
Railway Company; Shamokin Steani Heat & 
Power Company; Vega Silk Company of 
Shamokin; and the Salt Lick Oil & Gas Com- 
pany. Mr. Kulp has always been an ardent 
Republican and in 1894, when the protective 
interests of the business luen demanded fair 
representation within the halls of Congress, 
Mr. Kulp, without any solicitation on his part, 
was nominated for representative from the 
Seventeenth Congressional District of Penn- 
sylvania against Hon, Charles R. Buckalew, 
and, notwithstanding the usual ad\-erse ma- 
jority, was elected the first Rei)ublican rcj)- 
resentative in the history of the district. At 
the end of his first term he was re-elected by 
an increased majority, a fitting reward for his 
earnest efforts in behalf of his constituents. 
At the end of his second term, owing to his 
increased business, he declined a renomina- 
tion preferring to give his entire time to his 



164 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPUIES. 



business interests. Socially and fraternally 
our subject stands deservedly high; he is a 
member of se\eral branches of the Masonic 
fraternitw and was one of the organizers of 
tlie Cresco Club of Shamokin; is a member 
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks; Pottsville Club; Harrisburg Club; Sun- 
bur)- Club; Ross Club of W'illiamsport ; The 
Turf Chd) of Philadelphia; and Union League 
of Pliiladelphia. June 8, 1897, he was united 
in marriage with Sarah Detweiler, a sister of 
Col. \V. C. McConnell of Shamokin, Pa. 

As one of the most widely known men in 
the Seventeenth Congressional District, we 
take pleasure in presenting Mr. Kulp's port- 
rait on a preceding page, in connection with 
the foregoing sketch of his life. 



Tk7\ GEORGE BENNl 
\y\ spected citizen ai 

-*- V— ^ ness man of ' 



lETT, a highly re- 
and successful busi- 
Shamokin, North- 
umberland County, Pa., was born January 
31, 1837, in Warwickshire, England. He- 
is a son of (jeorge and Harriet (Lane) 
r>ennctt, of England. He reccixed his 
early education in the schools of England but 
was thrown upon his own resources at an 
early age. At the age of thirteen or fourteen 
years he left the home of his father, who was a 
wood-sawyer by trade, and became appren- 
ticed to a shoemaker, which trade he mastered 
in about three years. 

Soon after reaching his majority, Mr. Ben- 
nett was united in marriage with Martha Ed- 
wards, on January 11, 1859. Their home w'as 
blessed by one daughter, Martha Elizabeth, 
who was born June i, i860. Our subject 
came to America in 1865. He first located at 
Cumbola, Pa., where he remained for about 
nine years, a jiortion of which time he 
was engaged in mining; l)ui subsequenll}-, at 



the urgent request of a number of his friends, 
principally miners, he changed his business 
plans and worked at his trade. He made shoe- 
making his sole vocation thereafter, and soon 
enjoyed an excellent trade, supplying not only 
miners and their families with footwear, but 
also many others who heard of the excellence 
of his work and the material he usetl, and trav- 
eled from miles aroimd to patronize him. At 
first he carried on business on a very small 
scale, but. as his patronage increased and the 
demand for his goods l)ecame greater, he im- 
proved and enlarged his place of business, and 
made ready to meet all demands for shoes. At 
the end of eight or nine years, by careful man- 
agement and strict economy, he had accumu- 
lated the neat sum of three thousand dollars. 

Wishing to still further enlarge and extend 
his business he felt the necessity of going to a 
larger place, where the demand for footwear 
would be greater; accordingly he remo\ed 
to the borough of Shamokin in 1873, 
leased a house, and continuctl the s;uue 
business on a larger scale. Again suc- 
cess crowned his efiforts, and in 1878 he ])ur- 
chased the grounds adjoining his i)lace of bus- 
iness and erected thereon a handsome and 
commodious brick building three stories high, 
24 by 150 feet, which has a large basement, 
upper floor, hall, and middle floor. This ele- 
gant structure is on North Market street, and 
in this building Mr. Bennett has enjoyed a 
successful business for the past twenty years. 

Mr. Bennett carries a large and well-as- 
sorted stock, not only of shoes, but of general 
merchandise. In another part of the city, on 
Shamokin street, he also has a branch shoe 
store. By industry and frugality, he has built 
up a large and exceedingly profitable business, 
the fruits of w hich he is now enjoying. 

Martha Elizabeth Bennett, daughter of our 
snl)ject, was first united in marriage with Rev. 




DR. WILLIAM McCLELLAN REBER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



167 



Thomas Philip, a Methodist minister now de- 
ceased. ;md a natixe of Cornwall. England. 
Mrs. riiilip was deeply attached to her first 
luisband and monrned his demise for seven 
years when she entered a second union with 
Rev. William Opie, also of Cornwall, Eng- 
land. Again death deprived her of her com- 
panion. Rev. Opie died in July. 1897. having 
led an exemplary and useful life as a Metho- 
dist minister for a period of thirty-five years. 

Mr. Bennett enjoys the confidence of the 
people of Shamokin and occupies several posi- 
tions of trust. He is treasurer of the Anglo- 
American Building & Loan Association; also 
treasurer of the Guarantee Building & Loan 
Association of Philadelphia, for the Shamo- 
kin district. He has executed the trusts that 
lia\e de\'olved u])on him faithfully and ef- 
ficiently, and is deserving of the high reputa- 
tion he enjoys for uprightness and fair deal- 
ing. 

He is a devout Episcopalian. Fraternally 
he is a mendjer of Black Diamond Lodge. 
L O. O. F. ; also a mcmher of the Knights 
of the Mystic Chain. 



B 



R. \VILLL\M McCLELL.VN RE- 
BER. who is closely identified with 
many of the business interests of 
Bloomsburg and is a physician by profession, 
is a gentleman whose trained al:)ilities and 
skilled resources have brought him into public 
notice and have won for him tine regard, es- 
teem and respect justly due a man of his use- 
fulness in the conmnmity. The work of a 
physician from its innate nature is of the kind 
which Ijriugs him into the closest relationship 
with the people. The way in which he car- 
ries his responsibilities is ever to the public a 
matter of the most vital importance. That 
Dr. Reber fully knows the ethics of his pro- 



fession as well as the teachings, and every day 
of his life li\es up to them, admits of no dis- 
cussion. His high standing everywhere 
proves his fidelity to his patients and his suc- 
cess demonstrates his talents. Pie is a son of 
David and Margaret (Musser) Reber, and was 
born in Lewisburg, Pa., March 4, 1842. 

The family is of German origin and the 
parents of John Reber, the grandfather of our 
subject, came to this country prior to the 
Revolutionary War, locating in Berks County, 
Pa. John Reber was born in Berks County, 
but in 1803 moved to Union County, where 
he purchased a farm in Buffalo Valley and fol- 
lowed farming. Having acquired a compe- 
tency, in 1 83 1 he moved to Lewisburg Pa., 
where he died in June. 1852, at the age of 
eighty-two years. He was the progenitor of 
the following children: John, deceased; 
James, deceased; Thomas; Sanuiel, deceased; 
David, deceased; Susan (Kleckner); Elizabeth 
(Vorse); Leah (Hei.sler); Margaret, deceased; 
and Mary (Dunkle), deceased. 

David Reber. the father of our subject, 
was born in Buffalo Valley, near Lewisburg, 
June 19, 18 1 7, and spent his entire life in that 
localitv. He was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his education in the public schools, but 
he was not fifteen years old when his parents 
moved to the village of Lewisburg. There, 
after clerking a few years, he engaged in the 
general merchandise business on his own ac- 
count and continued it until 1854, when he 
entered the Lewisburg Savings Bank, which 
was subsequently merged into a state bank 
and finally into the Lewisburg National Bank. 
\\'ith such good faith did he discharge his 
duties he was promoted to cashier of the bank 
on May 4, 1859, continuing in that capacity 
until his death on September 11, 1894. He 
was also engaged in the manufacture of bricks 
for a period of forty years and attained the 



168 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



liit,^hest success. He was a Repiililican in pol- 
tics and took an active interest in all matters 
of local prominence, tilling some of the town 
offices. Religiously he was a member and a 
regular attendant of the Presbyterian Church. 
He was joined in wedlock with Margaret 
Musser, who died June 14, 1897, at the age 
of eighty years, and their union resulted in 
the birth of two children : William McClel- 
lan, the subject of this biographical record, 
and John Alusser, who has been engaged in 
merchandising in Boston for more than 
twenty years. 

Dr. Reber obtained a good mental training, 
attending the Lewisburg Academy and Lew- 
isburg University up to the Junior year, when 
he took up the study of medicine with Dr. 
William Haye's of Lewisl)urg. His second 
year of study was under the direction of Dr. 
William H. Pancoast of Philadelphia, and he 
a])i)lied himself with such diligence that he 
was enabled to graduate from the JetYerson 
]\Iedical College in March, 1863. He then en- 
tered the United States Navy as assistant-sur- 
geon, being stationed at the naval hospital at 
Norfolk, Va.. and sul)se(|uently at the naval 
hospital in Brooklyn, N. V. He next saw ser- 
vice on a gun-boat fleet for one and one-half 
years on the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennes- 
see rivers, being division surgeon of the loth 
District of the Mississippi Squadron, and then 
on the U. S. S. Lackawanna, which went on a 
cruise to the Sandwich Islands, stopping at 
Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo, passing through 
the Strait of Magellan, and then stopping at 
Valparaiso. While at Valparaiso he with other 
of^cers visited the beautiful city of Santiago, 
capital of Chile. He left the service in De- 
cember, 1868, and in the following February 
located at Bloomsburg, where he has since 
practiced, having acquired a large general 
clientage. He is a member of the National, 



State and County Medical associations, and 
has served as president, and also as secretary 
and treasurer of the last named organization 
almost continuously for nearly thirty years. 
Besides the attention devoted to his practice 
and his profession he has identified himself 
with many business enterprises, among them: 
as director of the Bloomsburg School Fur- 
nishing Company; director of the Blooms- 
burg W'ater Company; director of the North 
Branch Furnishing Company of Bloomsburg, 
of which he is president; and is financially in- 
terested in the Bloomsburg Steam Heating 
Company; the Bloomsburg Ele\ator Works; 
the Bloomsburg Land Improvement Com- 
pany; the Bloomsburg Silk Mill; and the" 
Bloomsburg Carpet Mill. He is a trustee of 
the Bloomsburg State Normal School. 

On September 12. 1871. Dr. Reber was 
united in marriage with Elizaljeth McKinney, 
a daughter of David L. and Martha H. Mc- 
Kinney, ami they are the parents of two 
children : Edith ]\IcKinney and William Mc- 
Kel\'_\'. I^e is a Republican, but only takes 
that interest in politics shown by all dutiful 
and intelligent citizens, having never sought 
office. He has been secretary of the board 
of health of Bloomsburg since its organiza- 
tion. Socially he is a member of Blooms- 
burg Council, No. 957, Royal Arcanum, be- 
ing a charter member and its meilical 
examiner since its incorporation. He served 
as U. S. Examining Surgeon from 1879 to 
1889, when a board of examining siu\geons 
was ap])ointed and he was made president 
of this Ijoard and seized until 1893. \vhen he 
and the other Republican members were 
remoN'ed. 

The publishers of this volume take pleasure 
in annt)uncing that Dr. Reber's portrait ap- 
pears on a preceding page in connection with 
the above account of his life. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



169 



OHN H. VINCENT. Esq., one of 

Xi)rtliuiiili(.Tlanirs most estimable 
citizens, is a leading- attorney-at-la\v 
who enjoys a large and Incrative practice. He 
is a son of Isaac and Reliecca (Comly) Vin- 
cent, and was born in Delaware township, 
Northumberland County. Pa., December 2, 
1826. 

Our su1)ject is of Dutch descent and traces 
his lineage back to his great-grandfather, 
John Vincent, who came to this country as 
early as i '/T2 and became one of the pioneers 
of Northumlserland County. One of his sons, 
Daniel, became the owner of about 400 acres 
of land near Fort Freeland, lying along War- 
rior Run Creek, and in the year 1790 he built 
the first mill in that vicinity. This was re- 
modeled in 1818 and is now standing: he did 
the work for the farms for many miles dis- 
tant and was a very prominent man. He was 
at Fort Freeland when it was attacked liy the 
Indians and he and his wife were taken prison- 
ers, but. as she was in a delicate condition, she 
was sent back to her friends on horse-back. 
Mr. Vincent was taken up into Canada where 
he was held in bondage for four years, during 
which time he acted as butcher for his captors. 
During his tights with the Indians he sus- 
tained an injury in the side which gradually 
grew worse and finally resulted in his death. 
He and many members of his family now lie 
buried in the ^^'ar^or Run Cemeterv. His 
wife's maiden name was Angeline Huff and 
their children were as follows: Phoebe; Isaac, 
the father of the gentleman whose name heads 
these lines; John; and Elizabeth. The old 
family property was divided ecjuall)- between 
the two sons, John and Isaac. 

Isaac \'incent was born on the old home- 
stead in Northumberland County and early 
in life took to agricultural pursuits. He fell 
heir to one-half of his father's estate, and 



lived on it throughout his entire life. He was 
united in marriage w ith Rebecca Comly. a na- 
ti\e of Philadel])hia, Pa., and the following 
children were born to bless their home: Ezra 
C. ; a child who died in infancy; Nancy; 
Daniel; Charles; Caroline; Isaac; John H., 
the subject of this biographical record; Re- 
becca; Hannah I\I.; Elizabeth; and Henry 
Clay. 

John II. A'incent attended the public 
schools and the McEwensville Academy after 
which he taught school for some time; saving 
his earnings he was enal)led to enter Lafayette 
College at Easton, Pa., and there remained 
until he had passed the junior year, when he 
enrolled at Williams College, Mass. He 
graduated from the latter institution in 1849 
and then went to Charlestown, S. C, where 
he engaged as a school teacher. He later re- 
mo\ed to Alabama wdiere he also taught 
school until he returned home and began his 
preparation for the legal profession, entering 
the law of^ce of Gov. James Pollock. One 
year later he took up his study in the Mc- 
Carty Law School, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1854, immediately thereafter beginning 
practice at Easton. He displayed much abil- 
ity as a practitioner and remained in Easton 
until 1857 and then located at Milford. Pike 
County, where he resided when the Civil War 
broke out. In 1862 our subject enlisted as a 
private in Company B, 151st Reg.. Pa. Vol. 
Inf., but was made 2d lieutenant before the 
company saw service. He was later promoted 
to 1st lieutenant and served as such in the bat- 
tle of Chancellorsville. and in many skir- 
mishes, receiving his discharge in 1863. Re- 
turning then to Milford, Pike County, he took 
up his practice of law and remained there un- 
til 1867, since which time he has been located 
in Northumberland. He has a large practice, 
being patronized by an influential class of 



170 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



citizens and he is ret^arded as one of tlie fore- 
most business men of the borough. In 1877 he 
built a large and handsome brick residence 
and office on Ouccn street, where he has 
since been located. 

Mr. \'inccnt has twice been it)ined in hy- 
meneal bonds, first with Mary C. Davis, a 
daughter of John Davis of liaston, and the\- 
had two children : Julia, who died at an early 
age; and May. the wife of J. W. Elliott of 
Keno\a. I'a. Airs. X'incent died young and 
our sul)ject formed a second matrimonial al- 
liance with Caroline M. Montgomer)-. who 
comes of a very prominent family of this sec- 
tion. She is a daughter of William Montgom- 
ery and traces her ancestry back to Robert 
Montgomery who. at the age of thirty-two 
N'ears emigrated to this cuuiitr\- from County 
Armagh, Ireland, settling in Dauphin Coun- 
ty, Pa. He located on the site of the ]iresent 
cit\' of Harrisburg and served as one of the 
fiv^l gi'and jurors of l)au])liin Count}'. He 
died in 1776 at the age of seventy-one years. 
He and his wife Sarah l:)ecame the parents of 
li\e children, namely: William; Thomas: 
Hugh; Da\id: and John. John Montgomery 
was born in Irelanil, and was four years of 
age when brought to this country by his par- 
ents. He grew to manhood in Dauphin 
County, Pa., and became a farmer liy occupa- 
tion. In 1773 he exchanged an improved 
farm in that county for a wild tract of lanil 
in Turbot township. Northumberland Coun- 
ty, the other j)arty to tlie exchange being 
William Patterson, ft ])roved to be a good 
transaction on John's part, and he realized 
a good ad\antage and started his career there 
under better conditions than did most of the 
])ionecrs. .\fter getting his affairs straight- 
ened out and in a prosperous condition, his 
home was attacked by a band of Indians and 
he was obliged to flee with his family to Fort 



Freeland for safety. It was while at that fort 
that, on July 28, 1779, they were attacked 
by a party of over 300 Indians and British 
soldiers; then John sought refuge at his old 
home in Dauphin Count}-, settling near Har- 
risburg. When ])eace had tinally been de- 
clared, in 1783. he returned to his home in 
Northumberland County, rebuilt the build- 
ings which had been destroyed, and erected a 
limestone house which still remains standing. 
He continued in his work about the farm until 
November 8, 1792. when he was killed by a 
falling tree while building the Derry road. 
He was fifty-eight years old. His wife died on 
March 2, 1821, aged eighty years; both lie 
buried in the Chillisquaque burying-ground. 
Religiously they were both members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Montgomery's 
maiden name was Christianna Foster. To 
them were born the following children: Rob- 
ert: John: William; David; Jane; and 
Sarah. William Montgomery, the grand- 
father of Mrs. Vincent, was born at what is 
now Paradise, Turbot township, Northumber- 
land County, and succeeded to the ownership 
of the old homestead on whicli he followed 
farming all of his life. He died August 22, 
1853, at the age of seventy-six years and his 
wife died in 1806, at the age of twenty-six 
years. He married Rachael Simpson, by 
whom he had three children : Nancy, the wife 
of Robert Van Valzah, M. D.; John T., who 
married Hannah Hower: and William, the 
father of the wife of our subject. William was 
born on the old homestead on March 7, 1805, 
and earl\ in life settled at Limestone Ridge, 
but later bought a fine property at McEwens- 
ville. where he engaged in farming. He was 
\-er)- successful and at his demise owned a 
fine estate. He died in l'"ebruary, 1875, as a 
result of small-pox. lie was united in m:u- 
riage with Mollv Caldwell, a daughter of |nhn 




HON. P. C. NEVVBAKER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



173 



Caldwell, and their children were : William 
C, who married Hadassa G. Dearmond; Mary 
Jane, who resides with our subject and who 
married John M. Thatcher, a hot-water fur- 
nace manufacturer of New' York, now dead; 
Caroline M.; antl Sarah F.., the wife of \'al- 
entine S. Truckcrniiller of Truckerniiller's 
Mills. 

()nr suhject and his wife had four children, 
two of whom are now living: John, a law stu- 
dent living' at home; and Caroline, who is al- 
so at home. Those deceased were : William 
M., and Ella. Mr. \'incent is a Democrat in 
politics. He has held the office of justice of 
tlie peace since 1889, with the exception of 
one year; he also has been a school director 
.-ind lias lilled minor ofhces for several vears. 




ON. P. C. NEWBAKER, one of the 
oldest and most prominent physi- 
'- V._^ cians and surgeons of Montour 
County, Pa., whose portrait we take pleasure 
in presenting on the foregoing page, is a resi- 
dent of Danville, and is held in high esteem 
by the citizens of that place. He was born 
near tlie village of Halifax, Dauphin County, 
Pa., August 13. 1843, and is a son of Dr. John 
B. and Caroline Elizabeth (Maize) Newbaker, 
and a grandson of Philip Newbaker. The 
great-great-grandfather of our subject was 
Martin Newbaker who emigrated from Ger- 
many to America prior to the Revolutionary 
War. The family name was originallv spelled 
Neubecker. His son Philip, our subject's 
great-grandfather, was a lieutenant in a Co- 
lonial regiment and after Independence was 
won settled at the mouth of Powell's Creek, 
Dauphin County, Pa., on the banks of the 
Sus<|uehanna River and there carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits the remainder of his active 



days. His son, Philip second, our subject's 
grandfather, then became the owner of the 
jiroperty and lived there until the time of his 
death in 1865. Inglenook Station on the 
Northern Central R. R. is located upon the 
farm, and Inglenook Club House, where the 
business men of Harrisburg spend many of 
their leisure hours fishing and otherwise en- 
joying themselves, is built upon the river 
bank near the old homestead. Our subject's 
father. Dr. John B. Newbaker, was born and 
reared upon his father's farm and received a 
good education in the district schools after 
which he studied medicine and graduated 
from the Jeft'erson Medical College, Philadel- 
pliia, in the class of 1852, subsequently re- 
moved to Northumberland Countv, Pa., and 
at present resides at Trevorton, in the same 
county, where he still successfully practices 
his profession. He was asst. -surgeon in the 
56th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., in the Civil War and 
represented the Northumberland-Montorir 
District in the H. R. Pa., in 1872. 

Our subject acquired a good academic edu- 
cation in the \\'est Branch High School at 
Jersey Shore, Pa., and at Missionarv Institute 
at Selinsgrove, Pa.; after teaching several 
months he entered the office of his father and 
commenced the study of medicine. On April 
2^, 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War, 
he enlisted in Company F, iith Reg., Pa. 
\"ol. Inf., first three months' call, was in one 
of the first engagements of the war at Hokes 
Run, ^V. Ya., and was discharged at Harris- 
burg, Pa., July 31, 1865, by reason of expira- 
tion of term of service. On August 12. 1862, 
he re-enlisted in Comjiany K. 15th Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Cav., at Philadel])hia for a term of three 
years and his regiment was assigned to duty 
under General Rosecrans, where he saw hard 
service and was in a number of engagements 
in the Army of the Cumberland. On account 



174 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



<jf continued sickness and debility, induced Ijy 
exposure in active service in the campaign 
in Kentucky and Tennessee, during the win- 
ter and spring of 1863, he was transferred to 
Company D. 2d Reg., Veteran Reserve 
Corjjs, in wliich lie continued to serve as clerk 
of his conii)any until the clo.se of the war, 
w hen he received an honorable discharge July 
5, 1865. Returning home he again took up 
the study of medicine under his father's direc- 
tion, and later entered Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege from wliich he graduated ]\Iarch 12, 
1869. Shortly afterward he located in Wash- 
ingtonville, Montour County (Feb. 6, 1870), 
where he soon built up a large and lucrative 
practice. He continued his practice in that 
village sixteen years, when he removed to 
Danville, in 1886, where he has since followed 
the i)ractice of his profession, being already 
well and favorably known throughout the 
county. He has been remarkably successful 
in his profession. 

Hon. P. C. Newbaker is an ardent sup- 
porter of the Democratic party and in 1878 
was nominated and elected to represent Mon- 
tour County in the State Legislature; in 1880 
he was again honored with a seat in that body, 
which shows his pojnilarity throughout the 
county. At the general election, held Novem- 
ber 8, 1898, Dr. Newbaker was elected treas- 
urer of Montour County for a term of three 
years, commencing January i, 1899. He is 
president of the Danville School Board, hav- 
ing held that olTice since June, 1897; is a 
member of the State and County Medical So- 
cieties; a member of Goodrich Post, No. 22, 
G. A. R.; Union Veteran Legion; Danville 
Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. ]\[., of which he is 
]5ast master; and has been secretary of the 
IJoard of United States Examining Surgeons 
at Danville, Pa., since 1886. He purchased 
a residence at Xo. 105 West Mahoning street 



in 1886, to which he has made many improve- 
ments and has added an office. He was united 
in the bonds of matrimony with Amelia .\. 
Koons, a daughter of Benjamin Koons of 
Weissport, Pa., and their union has been 
blessed by five children: Winifred M., a grad- 
uate of the Pittsburg Musical Conservatory, 
who afterward completed her musical educa- 
tion at New York, and at Berlin, Germany, 
and is one of the most talented musicians in 
Central Pennsylvania; Charles A., a graduate 
of Lehigh University, is an electrical engineer; 
Bertha, a graduate of the Danville High 
School; T'-dward J., who attended West Point 
and Lehigh University, is now a mining engi- 
neer; and Francis W., at present a student in 
the Danville High School. 



rsl. W1LLL\:\I ELW'ELL. de- 
eased. The annals of the bench and 
b.ar of Pennsylvania record no 
worthier, nobler life than that of the gentle- 
uian named al)ove. For twenty-six consecu- 
tive years he was president judge of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial District of Pennsylva- 
nia, being the representative of no political 
party, but of the people, and during that time 
he meted out justice with strict and impartial 
hand, showing mercy to the oppressed and 
handling the oppressor with severity. None 
could co]5c with him intellectually and his rec- 
ord as judge will bcir the closest scrutiny as 
in every case but one, in which his decision 
was appealed to a higher court, the sui)reme 
judges respected his learned reasoning and ac- 
cordingly sustained his rulings. His home 
was at liloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa., 
for many years prior to his death, but he en- 
joved a state-wide re])utation. 

Judge Elwell was a son of Daniel and Nancy 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



175 



(Prentice) Elwell. and was born at Athens, 
Bradford County, Pa.. October 9, 1808. He 
was a descendant of a prominent old family 
of Staffordshire, England. The first of the 
family to come to America was Robert El- 
well. who. it is thought, came over in 1633 in 
the ship "Griffin" with Gow Haynes and Rev. 
Thomas Hooker. Rol)ert located at Salem, 
Mass., prior to 1^)35, hut later purchased land 
and settled at Eastern Point, Mass., where he 
resided at his death in 1683, owning consider- 
able property in that section. 

Jabez Elwell, great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War, 
serving in the Dutchess County Militia under 
Col. Henry Ludenton. His son, John Elwell, 
grandfather of our subject, was also an active 
participant in the struggle of our forefathers 
for freedom; he was among the brave men 
who, in answer to the "Lexington Alarm," 
marched from Connecticut towns to the relief 
of the city of Boston in April, 1775. 

Daniel Elwell, our subject's father, married 
Nancy Prentice, a daughter of Dr. Amos 
Prentice, who traced her lineage back through 
nine generations to Capt. Thomas Prentice, 
the time being about 1620. He lived at New- 
ton Center, Mass., and was formerly a soldier 
in the Army of Cromwell. His death resulted 
at the age of ninety-one years as a result of 
injuries sustained by a fall from his horse 
while going to church. Dr. Amos Prentice 
was a soldier of the Revolution and when the 
city of New London, Conn., was destroyed by 
fire he was forced to flee for his life. He re- 
moved to Milltown, Pa., and there resided un- 
til his demise, being liuried in the cemetery 
at Sayre, Pa. Daniel Elwell and his wife 
were the parents of six children, William, the 
subject of this sketch, being the second born. 

\\'illiam Elwell's early career was spent in 
the town of his nativitv, where he received a 



good English education in the Athens Acad- 
emy, attending that institution until he was 
nineteen years of age, when we find him acting 
in the capacity of assistant to Chief-Engineer 
Randall in running exploring lines on both 
sides of the Su.squehanna River, the object of 
their efforts being to locate a canal southward 
from the New York State line. Upon leav- 
ing the engineering corps he engaged as a 
school teacher for a period of three years and 
then entered upon the study of law in the 
office of Horace Williston. Possessing all of 
the qualifications essential to a successful 
practitioner of the legal profession, he made 
rapid advancement and was admitted to the 
bar in February, 1833. During the succeed- 
ing sixteen years he was engaged in practice 
with his legal preceptor in the northern coun- 
ties of the state until Mr. Williston was ap- 
pointed president judge of the Thirteenth 
Judicial District. He was a Democrat in poli- 
tics and in 1842 and 1843 was elected to rep- 
resent his district in the State Legislature. 
During his first term at Harrisburg he was 
honored with the chairmanship, of the judi- 
ciary coiumittce, which was composed of such 
men of tlistinction as Judges Sharswood, Gam- 
ble. Barrett, Hendrick B. Wright, and 
Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, and his reputation 
is made brilliant by comparison with these 
men of recognized ability. As chairman of 
this committee, he prepared and reported the 
bill providing for the abolishment of imprison- 
ment for debt, which custom is now univer- 
sall}- recognized as one of the crudest ever 
supported by the law. This bill stands to-day 
as originally reported by him. During the 
term of 1843 'le served faithfully as chairman 
of the committee of ways and means. In 1844 
he declined the proffered nomination for 
member of Congress, as the practice of law 
possessed greater attractions for him than the 



176 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



field of politics. Nevertheless, in 1866, he 
yielded to the demands of his party with great 
reluctance, and consented to be a candidate 
for a seat in Congress, and in the election he 
polled a vote far in excess of the remainder 
of his party ticket, but failed to overcome the 
Republican majority. 

As a lawyer Judge El well was without a 
peer, and that his practice grew to vast pro- 
portions is evidenced by the Supreme Court 
reports, in which are recorded more than one 
hundred cases which he argued. In 1862 his 
career on the bench began, when he was 
elected to the |)resi<lent judgeshi]) of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial District, comprising the 
counties of Columbia, Sullivan and Wyoming. 
He served his term with credit to himself, his 
rulings being characterized throughout by the 
greatest fairness, and in 1S72 he was re-elected 
to fill the same oftice, the opposing party re- 
fusing to place a candidate in the field. In 
May, 1874, Wyoming and Sullivan counties 
were created the Forty-fourth Judicial Dis- 
trict, and Columbia and Montour counties 
were designated as the Twenty-si.xth Judicial 
District. Upon his first election Judge Elwell 
removed to Bloomsburg, which continued to 
be his home until his demise. In April, 187 1, 
he was chosen as umpire to decide the disputes 
of tl'.e miners and operators of the anthracite 
coal region, and so impartially did he dis- 
charge his duties as such that both parties 
were satisfied that his decision was a just one. 
Frecpiently he was urged to become a candi- 
date for the Supreme bench, and although he 
refused to allow a canvass to be made, his 
name was placed before the convention and 
he received many votes. Likewise, he was 
often spoken of as a candidate for governor 
of the Coiumonwealth, but, deeming it incon- 
sonant with judicial propriety to make a per- 
sonal can\ass, he refused to allow any elec- 



tioneering to be done in his favor. His second 
term having expired, the bar of the Twenty- 
si.xth Judicial District met and, sweeping aside 
all party feelings, unanimously requested him 
to accept a third term as judge, and Judge 
Elwell having consented, the political organi- 
zations followed the lead of the bar and named 
him as their choice for the oflice. To take ad- 
vantage of trying a case before him, cases were 
transferred to Columbia County from other 
districts and it is estimated that up to the time 
of his resignation he held more special courts 
than any judge who ever sat upon the bench 
in that district. He reasoned a case out to its 
fullest extent and when a part\- to a suit left 
his court it was always with the satisfaction of 
knowing just why the case had been decided 
against liini or in his faxor. In placing an 
interpretation on the statutes and deciding 
their general purview, he was unexcelled, and 
his decisions never failed to meet with ap- 
pro\-al at the hands of the Supreme Court. 
Many celebrated cases were brought before 
him for hearing, each involving the right of 
parties to hundreds of thousands of dollars. 
.\mong these were the \\'illiamsport bond 
case; Fisher \s. the City of Philadelphia: 
Tryon and Dull \s. Munson; and the cele- 
brated Cameron will case from Union County, 
in w hich an elaborate argument w^as prepared 
by eminent counsel for the appellant, but the 
Supreme Court afifirmed the decision of the 
lower court, as it did in all of these cases. He 
also tried the "Mollie Maguire" case, which 
grew out of the murder of Alexander Rea, 
and in it decided many important and doubt- 
ful (|uestions on the law of hcMiiicide, the re- 
]3ort of the case constituting a large volume 
of itself: again he was u))held by the higher 
court. Numerous cases of equity were 
brought to a hearing before him and in the 
exercise of his discretion as to justice and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



177 



moral rights lie proved as competent as in the 
inter])retation of legal rights, for but one de- 
cision was reversed. Tlie wonderful record of 
not a reversal in the cases of his district 
brought before him in the courts of Oyer and 
Terminer, Quarter Sessions, and Orphan's 
Court makes his opinions, which appeared in 
state reports, weekly notes of cases, and other 
legal publications. \alual)le additions to the 
legal authorities of the state. 

Judge Ehvell. after spending twenty-six 
years on the l)ench, began to decline in health 
as a result of his long and active business 
life, and in 1888 he lost his hearing. He spent 
the following winter in Florida but without 
the relief hoped for, and in July, 1889, six 
months after his illness began, he tendered his 
resignation to the governor of the state, this 
being the only known instance in the state of 
a judge resigning before the expiration of his 
term owing to illness, but his extreme honesty 
and independence would not permit him to 
draw a salary from the state for duties which 
he had ceased to perform. He then lived in 
retirement in Bloomsburg without showing 
any signs of improvement, finally passing 
away October 15, 1895, leaving to his child- 
ren the legacy of a nol)!e life well spent. Few 
men ever possessed the confidence and es- 
teem of the public to a higher degree, and 
when intelligence of his death reached pub- 
licity there was universal expression of regret, 
and upon the day of his funeral all places of 
business were closed as a token of the regard 
in which the people held him. The funeral 
services, prior to removing his body to To- 
wanda, Bradford County, Pa., for interment 
in the family burial-lot, were conducted in St. 
Paul's Church, and the citizens who turned 
out to pay a final tribute to a beloved friend 
filled the church to the doors. The boards of 
trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute 



and State Normal School, the town council, 
and the vestr_\- of St. Paul's Church, all passed 
resolutions of respect to his memory. 

Judge Ehvell always was regarded as one of 
the foremost citizens of Bloomsburg and Co- 
lumbia County. in 1881 he was ap])i)intcd 
on the bi-centeiniial conmiittee ]-i\ (iow 
Hoyt, but his official duties pre\'enled him 
from taking a very active part in that cele- 
bration. In 1868 he was elected trustee of the 
Bloomsburg Literary Institute and State 
Normal School, serving as president of that 
body from 1S73 until 1S91, and in its darkest 
days he did much toward guiding it through : 
it is to-day a flourishing institution and its 
sound financial standing is largely due to his 
untiring eff^orts in its behalf. Religiously he 
was a devout meml)er of St. Paul's Episcojial 
Church. 

Judge Ehvell was twice united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony, his first union being with 
Clemana Shaw of Towanda, Pa., by whom 
he had three children, as follows : William EI- 
well. Jr., deceased, who went to Plymouth, 
Wis., in early manhood and engaged in mer- 
chandising for a number of years, but subse- 
quently removed to Siieboygan, Wis., where 
he was clerk of the county courts for several 
years and finally liecame superintendent of 
construction of a railroad from Milwaukee to 
Sheboygan, and also served as superintendent 
of the road after its completion; Clemana, the 
relict of the late P. H. Smith, who was en- 
gaged in merchandising and served one term 
as a state senator of Wisconsin, — she now re- 
sides with her family in Plymouth, Wis.; and 
one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Ehvell 
died and he was again married, September 19. 
1844, to Mary Louise Thayer, a daughter of 
Col. Ebenezer and Martha (Ager) Thayer. 

Col. Ebenezer Thayer was born in Wil- 
liamstown, Mass., August 28, 1788, and de- 



178 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



scended from Ebenezer Thayer, who emi- 
grated from England in tlie sixteenth cen- 
tury and settled near Boston, Mass., where 
his son Ebenezer was born. The latter was 
the progenitor of a family of five children, as 
follows: Barucli, grandfather of Mrs. Elwell: 
Daniel, who moved to Shelburne, \t.. and 
married a daughter of Capt. Clark, who at- 
tained distinction in the Revolutionary War; 
I'"li, who ialso settled in Shelburne, Vt., and 
married a niece of Gen. Montgomer\-, who 
was killed at Quebec during the Revolution- 
ary War; Reuben: and l-Jachel, who died in 
early womanhood. 

Baruch Thayer was born in Mendon, Mass., 
September 19. 1764, and was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary War, being stationed at West 
Point where he w itnessed the execution of the 
Briti.sh spy, Maj. .Xndre. In 1783 he married 
Mary Bingham who was of Scotch descent 
and lived at Windham, Conn., and then moved 
to Williamstown, Mass. In 1804 he removed 
to Shelburne, \'t., and seven years later to 
Batavia, N. Y., where he died in January, 
1826. Mrs. Mary Bingham Thaxcr died at 
liatavia, N. Y., June 14, i860, at the remark- 
able age of ninety-eight years. Their union 
was blessed by thirteen children, one of whom 
was Col. Ebenezer Tliayer. the father of the 
wife of our subject 

In December, 1808, Col. Thayer moved to 
Ithaca, X. Y., and soon after his marriage two 
years later, he remo\ed to New York City 
and there enlisted in the service of his coun- 
try during the \\'ar of 181 2. He subsequently 
moved to Watkins, N. Y., where he was en- 
gaged in dealing in shoes, and during the ad- 
ministration of Buchanan, 1856 to i860, he 
ser\-ed as postmaster of that \-illage. In 1870 
he retired from business and moved to Troy, 
I'.'i.. but a few years later mo\'ed with his fam- 
il\ to Blcximsburg, Columbia Cotmtv, Pa., 



where he and his wife lived the remainder of 
their lives. She died at the age of seventy- 
six years, and he passed away on the 20th of 
.\ugust, 1880, aged ninety-four years. While 
a resident of Ithaca. X. Y., on September 12. 
1810, he was joined in hymeneal bonds with 
Martha .\ger, who was of Scotch descent on 
the paternal side of the family and Erench on 
the maternal, and they reared six children, 
one of whom is the relict of our subject, Mary 
Louise. She was born in Ithaca, N. Y.. Jan- 
uary 14, 1824, and now resides in Blooms- 
burg, Pa. 

Judge and Mrs. Elwell Ijecame the parents 
of six children, a record of whom follows : E. 
W. Eiwell, freight agent and in charge of the 
State line and Sullivan Branch of the Lehigh 
\'alley Railroad, born in Towanda, Bradford 
County, and still resides there, having been in 
the employ of the Lehigh \'alley Railroad for 
more than thirty years. He married Harriet 
M., a daughter of William Xeal of Blooms- 
burg, and they had two children : Catharine, 
who (lied at the age of eighteen years, and 
William, who died at the age of sixteen years. 
George E. Ivlwell. the second son of Judge 
Elwell by his second marriag-e, resides in 
Bloomsburg. a record of whose life fol- 
lows. Marie Louise, who was born in To- 
wanda. Pa., in 1853, is the wife of N. U. Eunk, 
Esq.. of Bloomsburg, whose sketch a])pears 
e'sewhere in this Book of Biographies. Mar- 
tha died in .\pril, 1864. aged fix^e years. 
Robert died in December, 1863. aged 
three years. Charles Prentice, whose pro- 
fession is that of a musician, was l:)orn in 
January, 1868, was educated in the Blooms- 
burg State Xormal School and in the Dio- 
cesan School at Reading, Pa. Erom the lat- 
ter institution, he entered the Xew England 
Conservatory of Music at Boston, and spent 
four vears there. I fe has proved a talented 



SE\ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



179 



and accomplished musician, and has estab- 
lished a good reputation as an instructor of 
instrumental nuisic. 

GEORGE EDWARD ELWELL, who 
since 1893 has been sole owner and proprietor 
of The Columbian, the oldest paper published 
in Columbia County, is a gentleman of high 
intellectual attainments and through the me- 
dium of his paper has materially assisted in 
promoting all of the worthy enterprises and 
undertakings which have made the town of 
Bloomsburg what it is at the present time. 
He is a son of Judge William Ehvell, the sub- 
ject of the foregoing sketch, and was born in 
Towanda, Pa., October 16, 1848. His early 
mental training was obtained in the Suscpie- 
hanna Collegiate Institute of Towanda, at 
George R. Barker's preparatory school at 
Philadelphia, and in the Bloomsburg Literary 
Institute. He then took a complete course 
of study in Trinity College, Hartford, Conn., 
and was graduated in 1870, after which he 
was appointed assistant principal of the Fifth 
Street School in Bloomsburg, Pa., in wliich 
capacity he served until January, 1871. Being 
elected a member of the faculty of the Blooms- 
burg Literary Institute and State Normal 
School, he became professor of English liter- 
ature, French and German, and was instruct- 
tor in these subjects until July, 1873. He 
then pursued the study of law with his father 
and in the oiitice of C. B. Brockway, Esq., and 
was admitted to the bar Septend^er 4, 1874, 
upon the same day forming a partnership with 
Mr. Brockway under the firm name of Brock- 
wax- & Elwell. They enjoyed a very successful 
practice. On October i, 1875, they entered 
the field of journalism, purchasing The Co- 
lumbian. This publication they edited togeth- 
er until October i, 1879. when J. K. Bitten- 
bender succeeded to Mr. Brockway's interest, 



and on February 23, 1893, our subject became 
the sole owner and has since conducted the 
journal alone. "The Columbian," a large 
three-story brick building on Main street, is 
the 'largest and oldest printing establishment 
in its section of the state. DenKicratic in 
politics, the newspaper's influence makes it a 
controlling factor in the affairs of the party 
throughout the district. .At present Mr. El- 
well is not engaged in the practice of law but 
devotes his entire time to editing" the paper 
and looking after his private business. 

On October 26, 1876, Mr. Elwell was 
united in marriage to Mary A. McKelvy, a 
daughter of I. W. McKelvy of Bloomsburg, 
and they have one son, George Edward. Jr., 
who was born .\pril 19, 1886. Mr. Ehvell 
is a member of the board of trustees of the 
Bloomsburg State Normal School; is a di- 
rector of the Industrial Building & Loan 
Association; formerly was a director of the 
Bloomsburg Gas Company, and the Blooms- 
burg Water Company ; and was vice-president 
of the Board of Trade. Politically he is a 
Democrat, served several years as a member 
of the Democratic State Central Committee, 
and served four years as a member of the town 
council of the borough. In religious attach- 
ments he is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal 
Church, and has always been active in the 
church work. He has been a vestryman for 
more than twenty years and a deputv to the 
diocesan convention a greater part of that 
period. He also has had charge of the music 
of the church as organist and choirmaster for 
thirty years. In 1874 with the assistance of 
the rector. Rev. John Hewitt, he succeeded 
in raising $1,200, with which a pipe organ was 
purchased. In 1897 he assisted in raising 
subscriptions amounting to $3,000, with the 
assistance of several church guilds, for the 
purchase of a new organ, which was placed 



180 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



in tlie cluircli in time for tlie Easter services 
of 1898. 



y •♦— 




1 1.I.lAAl KRICKBAUM. editor and 
iroprictor of Tlie Democratic Sen- 
tinel and llie i!li)omsl)nr<;- Daily. Blooms- 
l)urg, I'a., is a nati\e of Calawissa township, 
Coiumhia County. Pa., and was born Sep- 
tember iS. 1S33. 

The Krickbanms are of German extraction, 
and the first of the family to settle in the 
United States located in Montgomery Coun- 
ty. Pa. The first to settle in Catawissa town- 
ship was I'hilip Krickbaum who located there 
in the sprint^ of 1794. His wife's maiden 
name was Susannah Trexler of Hickorytown, 
near I'hiladelphia. He died in 1822, aged 
sixty-three years; his wife also died in Cata- 
wissa township, and both are buried in the 
Catawissa Cemetery. 

Henry Krickbaum, father of our suliject, 
was a farmer owning some two hundred acres 
of land in Catawissa township, and he died 
when our subject was but a year old. and his 
widow. Sus;m (I'.reisch) Krickbaum. married 
for her second husband IJenjamin Miller. Wil- 
liam remained on the farm with his mother 
and ste])father until he reached his majority, 
and in the meantime attended the common 
schools of the \icinity several years; also for 
two terms at Millville, Pa., Seminary; and 
subsetjuenllv spent two terms at Dickinson 
Seminary. W'illiamsport, Pa., and one more 
term at Milhille. Previous to his last school 
term at Millville, in March, 1857, he married 
Judith Miller, daughter of George Miller of 
Maine township, Columbia County. During 
liis student da_\s he had taught school and he 
followed that vocation, all told, about twebe 
terms, h^-om his majority he had always tak- 
en an acti\e ])art in politics, and worked in the 



interest of the Democratic party, to which he 
is now and always has been an adherent, and 
in 1866, while still teaching, he was appointed 
clerk to the commissioners of Columbia Coun- 
ty, a position he filled with rare ability for 
twelve consecuti\e years; during a greater 
part of that lime he acted as deputy treasurer 
and as sherifY's clerk. In 1S78 he resigned 
the clerkship to accept the office of prothono- 
tary and clerk of the courts, to which he had 
been elected the same rear. In this ofilice lie 
served two terms and in 1889 was a candidate 
for a third term. but. although hax'ing a ma- 
jority of 175 of the po]iular vote, under the 
limited system of voting in choosing delegates 
(which system has since been done away with), 
was defeated. 

Ajiril 12, 1885. Mr. Krickbaum purchased 
the of^ce and plant of The Democratic Senti- 
nel in Bloomsburg. The paper was then 24 
by 36 inches, of seven columns per page, had 
a circulation of 600 and was ]irinted on an old 
Washington hand press. Since then he has 
enlarged the paper to a nine-column, 28 by 
44 inches, and has a circulation of 2.500, the 
edition being printed on a two-revolution, 
four-roller, jol) and book ])ress. In No\'em- 
l)er. 1888, our subject was elected a member 
of the State Legislature, and was re-elected 
in November, 1890, serving two full terms 
with credit to himself and constituents. In 
February, 1892, he started The Bloomsburg 
Daily, an inde])endenl journal which, together 
with the Sentinel, he is still publishing, and it 
is the only daily pa])er printed in Columbia 
County. In 1896 our subject was prevailed 
upon to again enter politics, and in November 
of that year was elected one of the board of 
county conuuissioners, which office he holds 
at ])resent, the term being for three years. 
In addition to the above responsible positions 
he h;is also held township offices, served as a 




JAMES M. SHEW. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



183 



delegate in state and national conventions, 
;uul in fact for ujiward of thirty-six years Mr. 
Krickbaum has been officially and otherwise 
l)roniinently and influentially identified with 
the Democratic politics of Columbia County. 
Probal.)ly no man e\er held a puljlic posi- 
tion in the county who worked with truer 
regard for the interest of the tax-payers and 
their public welfare than did Mr. Krickbaum 
through his exceptional long service to the 
county as an official and a newspaper man. 
It is proverbial that in his taking charge of 
the prothonotary office, and indeed, from the 
first years of his service as county commis- 
sioner's clerk, many fees in the sheriff's and 
prothonotary's office and bills in the commis- 
sioner's office, which he thought exorbitant 
and an injustice to the tax-payers, were re- 
duced tin'ough him to a lower and more con- 
siderate figure antl remained so during his 
official occupancy. 



AMES M. SHEW, proprietor of the 
Bloomsburg Paper Company, manu- 
facturing waterproof paper for cart- 
ridges and blasting, also for mining, packing, 
etc., and one of the highly esteemed residents 
of the town, was born in Baltimore County. 
Md., September 9, 1831, and is a son of Jos- 
e])h and Mary (Shew) Shew. 

Joseph Shew, the father of our subject, was 
l)orn in London, England, and during his boy- 
hood days came to the United States and lo- 
cated in Baltimore County, Md. He was a 
man of more than ordinary intelligence, was 
a farmer Ijy vocation, and also followed sur- 
veying. He acted as constable for several 
years, and when the War of 1812 broke out 
offered his services in defense of his countrv 
and was probably an emergency man in the 



protection of Baltimore. He was wedded to 
Mar_\- Shew, of Scottish origin but a native oi 
Virginia, antl a family of four children was 
born to this union, nameh- : Our subject; 
Henry, who died while en route for Denver, 
Col., on business in behalf of the Order of 
Railway Conductors, he having been a con- 
ductor on the Baltimore Central R. R. a num- 
ber of years: Jacob, a machinist and engineer 
at Port Deposit. Md.; and .Mary, wife of 
Charles Heiser of Baltimore, Md. 

James M. Shew, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, was but seven years of age 
when he began to serve an apprenticeship in 
the paper mills of Baltimore County, which 
were owned by William H. Hoft'man who is 
now deceased. He remained in the mills for 
forty-four years, during which time he was 
promoted several times; in 1858 he was 
promoted to manager of the entire plant 
of four mills. Gunpowder, ]\larble \'ale, Clip- 
per, and Rockdale, all of which are located in 
Baltimore County, Md. Upon the death of 
William H. Hoffman, the proprietor of the 
mills, his sons fell heirs to the entire plant, 
and, wishing to reduce the expenses of the 
mills they lowered the salaries of the em- 
ployees, and our subject was one who refused 
to accept a reduction in his pay and accord- 
ingly quit. He came to Scott township, Co- 
lumbia County, Pa., and purchased a half in- 
terest in the Trench Paper Mills located in 
Fishing Creek townshii). and the firm name 
became Trench & Shew; later Mr. Trench 
sold his interest to J. H. Maize and the firm 
name was changed to Maize & Shew. After 
being connected with this paper company 
nearly two years, his former employers, the 
Hoffmans, wishing him to return to them, of- 
fered an increase over his former salary, and 
bought J. H. Maize's interest in the paper 
mills of Fishing Creek township, thus reliev- 



184 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



iiii; our subject of the ol)ligation of partner- 
slii]). aud Mr. Shew returned to Baltimore. 
After nianai^iut^- tlie Haltiniore mills three and 
one-half \ears. lie returned to IMoomsburg". 
and in 1892 became sole owner of the paper 
mills of that town. The mills are operated by 
the magnificent water power of the Fishing 
Creek. The mills have a capacity of two 
thousand ])ounds of paper pev day and give 
steadv em])loymcnt to nine men. A few years 
ago our sul)ject l)Ought the Hulshiser shops 
near his home and does all kinds of black- 
smithing and repairing. 

Tn politics Air. Shew is a strong Kepubli- 
cau. and his partv gave him the nomination 
for associate judge and, although not elected, 
he received more votes than any other Re- 
publican that ran on the same ticket. ■ 

On February 6, 1852, Mr. Shew was united 
in marriage to Anna Mary Fisher, a daughter 
of Lewis Fisher of York County, Pa., and to 
this union eleven children were 1)orn. namely: 
Sarah, deceased: Margaret J.: Lydia, wife of 
Ixoljcrt J. Ruhl: Rebecca, who wedded 
John B. Kidd of Baltimore, Md.: Mary, wife 
of 1). S. Richards, also of Baltimore. Md.; 
James C M., whose sketch may also be found 
in this work: Josephine, united in the bonds 
of wedlock to George B. Smith of Scott town- 
shi]), Columbia County: Irene, wife of Wil- 
liam M. Fnt of Light Street, Pa.; Phoebe; 
and John \\'., a paper manufacturer of 
Piloomsburg. Mr. Shew is a member of the 
following fraternal orders: Washington 
Lodge, No. 265. F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg; 
Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.; Mt. 
Moriah Council, No. 10, R. & S. M.; Crusade 
Commandery, No. 12, K. T. ; Orient Con- 
cla\e, No. 2, Red Cross of Constantine; and 
Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32° N. M. J. 
Mr. Shew's |)ortrait accomjianies this sketch, 
being presented on a pre\ious page. 



sTr^^HN PARDOE, who resides in a fine 
home in the town of Forksville. Sul- 
ivan Count}. I'a., is now retired, but 
for many years was one of the progressive 
farmers of Elkland township. He is a son of 
William and Jane (McCarty) Pardoe, and was 
born in Elkland township, April 6, 1839. 

Our suljjecl is of English descent, his 
grandfather, Joseph Pardoe, coming from 
England at an early day and locating in 
Northumberland, Northumberland County, 
Pa. At the time he was a single man, but he 
subsequently married Sarah Williams and 
they became neighbors of Dr. Priestly, a 
well-known land-agent and a nati\'e of Eng- 
land. Joseph Pardoe purchased a tract of 
200 acres of lantl from Dr. Priestly at two dol- 
lars per acre in the timber section of Elk- 
land, Sulli\an County, and there he erected a 
little log cabin. In this rude structure they 
lived and, although it required much hard 
labor to clear the land and they met with 
many rough experiences, they were happy and 
theirs was the jileasure of seeing a veritable 
wilderness transformed into rich fields of 
growing crops by their own industry. L'nder 
their log cabin roof, their children were born 
and reared and Mr. Pardoe continued to re- 
side upon that property until he retired from 
active work, when he disposed of it to his 
youngest son, Thomas, and went to reside 
with a daughter. The place is now owned by 
Watson Wright. Esq. He lived to reach the 
ad\anccd age of almost ninetv years and his 
wife also attained a ripe old age before ])ass- 
They lie buried in the Pardoe bury- 
1. w hich he set oft' from his farm fur 
that purpose. Their children were: William: 
Joseph: John; George; Richard; Thomas; 
Elizalieth; and Sarah. 

William Pardoe, father of our subject, after 
reaching maturit}- purchased a tract of land 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



185 



about three miles south of the old homestead 
wliicli con^^isted of ciglU_\- acres of thickly- 
covered timber land. He made a clearing and 
erected a substantial log house in which he 
lived the remainder of his life, and there he 
followed farming. He was but forty-three 
}ears of age when, in clearing the land, he 
received a severe cut on his foot, from which 
he almost bled to death at the time and which 
finally proved fatal. He married Jane Mc- 
Carty, a daughter of Joel McCarty, and they 
had five children : John, the subject of this 
sketch; Albert, deceased; Joseph of Elkland 
township; Joel, deceased; and Mary, the wife 
of Frank Barnes of Elkland township. Mrs. 
Pardoe died at the age of fifty-four years. Mr. 
Pardoe was originally a Whig in politics but 
became a Republican in after years and held a 
number of township offices. He was affiliated 
with the Friends in his religious views. 

John Pardoe attended the common schools 
but at the age of fourteen years, because of the 
death of his father, he was called upon to take 
charge of the farm and aid his mother in car- 
ing for the younger children. The responsi- 
bility was heavy for his young shoulders, but 
he bore it well and proved equal to the occa- 
sion. He cleared the remainder of the hurl 
rapidly and farmed it very successfully. By 
the exercise of thrift and economy he saved 
the money whereby he was enabled to pur- 
chase the land from the heir after the death 
of his mother. Fie greatly improved the old 
log house, by Iniilding an addition to it, and in 
1876 tore down the log barn erected by his 
father and in its place erected a large frame 
barn. He purchased an adjoining piece of 
property of eighty acres and after making 
some valuable improvements sold it to advan- 
tage. In 1889 his wife's health became poor 
and, thinking that a lower and warmer cli- 
mate wuuld prove beneficial to her, he moved 



to Forksville, although he still owns the farm, 
lie i>urchasc(l three valuable lots there and 
erected a fine residence in which he has since 
resided, devoting his leisure hours to the culti- 
vation of small fruits and berries. Fie is a man 
of high principles and good character, and has 
many friends wherever known. 

In 1 87 1 Mr. Pardoe married Celinda \\. 
(didwcll. a daughter of William (didwell of 
E!k!and township, and later of Forksville, and 
they reared two children : Laura M., aged 
seventeen }ears: and Mary E., who is fifteen 
years of age. Mrs. Pardoe was called to rest 
in 1895 ^t the age of forty-seven years. 

Mr. Pardoe is a Republican and has held 
numerous township offices such as commis- 
sioner and tax collector. Religiously he is a 
Friend and his wife was a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 




RANK HANNAN. one of the most 
enterjjrising and influential l)usiness 
men of Forksville, Sullivan County. Pa., has 
efficiently served as postmaster of the bor- 
ough since July 7, 1897. He is a son of Fran- 
cis and Abigail (Ely) Hannan, and was born 
in Bath, Steuben Countv, X. Y., August 29, 
1838. 

Francis Hannan. father of our subject, was 
born in 1798 and was forty-two years of age 
when he met with a sad accident, in 1839, 
being killed by a falling tree. But little is 
known concerning his life. His union with 
Abigail Ely resulted in the following issue: 
Lucretia; Harriet: Mary; Jane; Louisa; 
Helen; and Frank, the subject of this bio- 
graphical record. Mrs. Hannan attained the 
advanced age of seventy-nine years. 

Frank Hannan was reared in Bradford 
Count\ , Pa., and obtained his mental training 



186 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ill the Collegiate Institute at Towanda, after 
w hich lie engaged as a teacher for four years, 
three years in the schools of Forksville. Upon 
the outlircak of the Ci\il War in 1861 he en- 
listed in Company 1. 6th Pa. Reserves, on 
.\pril 22, just ten days after the declaration 
of war. He served gallantly for three years 
and was ])romoted from ])rivate to the rank of 
sergeant, which rank he held at the time of 
his discharge in 1864, at Harrisburg, Pa. In 
all he participated in seventeen important en- 
gagements, and establisiied a good record as 
a true and l)rave soldier. At the close of the 
war he returned to Asylum. Bradford County. 
I'a.. where he remained a year. He then lo- 
cated in Mill view where he engaged in lum- 
bering with much success for twenty years. 
He then engaged in the insurance business 
which he continued until he received his ap- 
pointment as postmaster of the borougii of 
Forks\ille. Since his occupancy of that of- 
fice he has erected a fine postofifice on Bridge 
street, ;m(l the manner in which he has dis- 
charged his official duties has won for him 
the highest esteem and good will of the citi- 
zens tlironghoul that section. Mr. Hannan 
owns considerable property, including a hand- 
Mime residence on Main street and a farm of 
two hundred and forty acres which is partly 
timber land. L"])()n the latter he has made 
many improxemenls, built new barns, remod- 
eled the other buildings, and erected a saw- 
mill, w hich he conducted during the period he 
was engaged in lumbering. 

Mr. Hannan was united in marriage to Vic- 
toria Wood, daughter of George Wood of 
Bradford County, Pa., and they are the proud 
parents of two children, namely: Richard G., 
a conductor on the Lehigh Valley Railroad, 
who married Anna Mahaffey and has one 
child, Murrell; and Dora, who is a dress- 
maker by occupation. Politically Mr. Han- 



nan is an ardent Republican. He served as 
auditor for fourteen years. Socially he is past 
grand master of the (Jdd Fellows Lodge; and 
past commander of the G. A. R. Post of 
Forks\'ille. 




LVIX P. MILLER, the efficient fore- 
man of the Trust Com])any Tanner\- 
at Muncy Valley-, Pa., formerly 
known as the Stephens tannery, has been en- 
gaged in that line of business nearly all his 
life and is held in high esteem by both his 
su])erior officers and his fellow-workmen. He 
was born in Schoharie C(junt\'. X. Y., June 
8, 1859, antl is a son of Hiram and Malinda 
(Bailey) Miller, both of whom are living in 
retirement in Schoharie County. To the 
])arents the following children were born; 
Charles A., who married Miss Bernice Ben- 
nett, a sister of our subject's wife, — they re- 
side in Muncy Valley and have two children, 
Ruth and Buela; our subject; George, who 
married and resides in Hudson, N. Y. ; Carrie, 
who married John Striker and resides in (jil- 
boa, Schoharie County, N. Y.; William, re- 
cently married and resides in Schoharie 
County, N. Y.; and Jennie, who resides with 
her parents. 

Ah'in P. Miller was educated in the dis- 
trict scliools of his native township and then 
began to serve an apprenticeship to the tan- 
ner's trade in tlie Stephens tannery; he soon 
became prt)ficient ami w;is one of the most 
skilled mechanics in the shop. \\ hen the 
Stephens tannery was mo\ed to Aluncy \'al- 
ley, Sulli\an Countw Pa., our subject was 
offered a good position if he would accom- 
pany it to the new field of operation and he 
accepted. He gradually worked his way uj) 
until 1897, wdien he was given his present 
position as inside foreman in this mammoth 




HON, ROBERT R. LITTLE. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



189 



tannery. He has charge of sixty skilled me- 
ciianics wiio work in the leather department, 
dressing hides, which are known as bnffalo 
hides of South America. These are of the 
best quality and much depends upon Mr. Mil- 
ler in their tanning. Our subject some time 
ago purchased a small tract of land which he 
is fast developing into a good farm on which 
he has erected a fine home and has built a 
large Ijarn. Mr. Miller is an intelligent and 
public-spirited citizen and is respected Ijy all 
who know him. 

Mr. Miller was joined in matrimunial l)onds 
with Libbie Bennett, a daughter of George W. 
Bennett of Shrewsbury township, Lycoming 
County, Pa., and this happy union has l)een 
blessed 1)y three children, as follows : Arthur 
O.; George B.; and Edna M. In politics 
our subject is a firm supporter of the Repidj- 
lican party; religiously he and his family are 
prominent members of the Methodist Clun-ch. 




ON. ROBERT R, LITTLE, presi- 
dent judge of the Twenty-sixth Ju- 
dicial District, to which position 
he was elected on November 8, i8y8, stands 
among the foremost practitioners in the legal 
profession at Bloomsburg. He is a son of 
Ephraim H. and Eliza (Seibert) I^ittle, and 
was born in Berwick, Columl)ia County, Pa., 
May 30, 1852. 

Our subject's great-grandfather, George 
Little, who was a native and life-long resident 
of Connecticut, from which state he entered 
the Continental Army during the Revolution- 
ary War, served throughout that memorable 
conflict. His son, George Little, the grand- 
father of our subject, when a young man left 
his native state and located in Delaware Coun- 
ty, N. Y., subsequently removed to Wayne 



County. Pa., and finally settled at Montro.se. 
Sus(|uelianna Ciiunt}-, Pa., where he died in 
1 85 1, aged seventy years. He was a tanner 
and furrier by trade, but during the latter 
years of his life was a merchant. He married 
Mary Esterbrook, by whom he had six child- 
ren, as follows: George A.; Ralph B.; Wil- 
liam E.; Ephraim H.: and Mrs. Mary L. 
Gro\er, who resides at Jacksonville, Fla. 

Ephraim H. Little, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., 
March 23, 1823, and soon after his birth his 
family moved to Montrose, Susquehanna 
County, Pa., where he grew to manhood. He 
read law with his brother, Ralph B. Little, 
who was an eminent lawyer and the preceptor 
of Justice J. B. McCollum, a distinguished 
jurist. At. the age of twenty years he took 
what money he possessed and started West 
with the intention of going to Chicago by the 
way of the Great Lakes. By good fortune he 
managed to catch the last boat to make the 
trip that season, and the journey was a long 
and tedious one as the boat was greatly de- 
layed by the roughness of the water which 
caused a number of accidents. Upon arriving 
in Chicago, which was then a mere hamlet, he 
found himself with but twenty-five cents in 
his pocket, and forty miles from his destina- 
tion, Joliet, 111. The latter part of his journey 
had to be made liy stage and realizing that 
he tlid not have enough money to pay his 
fare, he offered the quarter to the stageman 
in consideration that he haul the trunk to the 
desired place. This the stagedri\-er refused to 
do, saying: "No, I will carry you and your 
baggage and you can pay me at another 
time." Landing in Joliet, Mr. Little again 
took up the study of law and in 1845 was ad- 
mitted to the bar. Soon after he purchased 
the Joliet Sentinel on credit and conducted 
it for six or eight months. He then sold out 



190 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



and removed to Morris, (irundy County, 111., 
which a short time previous had been inatle 
liie county seat, and he was llie lirst lawyer to 
locate there. He continued his law practice 
with much success a few years, when he met 
with an accident which caused him the loss of 
an arm. The knowledi^e of surgery at the time 
was \ery limited and he was confined to his 
bed for six or eight months, finally being com- 
pelled to submit to amputation of the injured 
arm. This reduced his physical strength 
i;really and he determined to get out of that 
malarial section of the country, acting on his 
physician's advice. He returned East, locat- 
ing at Beach Haven, Luzerne County. Pa., 
where he acted as weigh-master at Weigh 
Lock on the Pennsylvania Canal. The canal 
was under the control of the state and it had 
been customary for l)oats to l)e run on Sun- 
day, but Mr. Little, true to the Christian in- 
fluences untler which he had been reared, re- 
fused outright to perform his labors on the 
Sabbath. The boatmen were wroth and pe- 
titioned for his remox'al, but the governor of 
the state refused to remove him and the canal 
was thereafter closed on Sundays. W'hile there 
Mr. Little made the acquaintance of Eliza 
Seibert, whom he married December lo, 1850, 
and soon after they moved to Berwick, Co- 
lumbia County, Pa., where he lived until 
April, i860, when he remo\etl to Blooms- 
burg. He there engaged in the practice of his 
profession and continued with the best of suc- 
cess until 1893 when he retired and moved 
upon his farm, just outside the corporate lim- 
its of Bloomsburg. As a lawyer he was unex- 
celled and his opinion was frecpiently sought 
by other prominent attorneys on intricate 
legal problems. He is a Democrat in liis po- 
litical afliliations, and has serveil three terms 
as district attorney. Rising to a place of 
prominence in the i)rofessional world, he com- 



manded the respect and esteem of the entire 
community, and in his retired life he has been 
surrounded by many friends. Religiously he 
is an active and consistent member of the 
Baptist Church and has held many of the 
church offices. His marriage resulted in the 
birth of a son, Robert R., the subject of this 
personal history. 

Robert R. Little was eight years of age 
when his parents moved from Berwick to 
Bloomsburg. and there he was reared, receiv- 
ing a good education in the Bloomsburg State 
Normal School from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1872. He subsequently entered the 
University of Rochester at Rochester, N. Y., 
and then attended Hamilton College at Clin- 
ton, X. V. In 1873 he entered his father's 
office and ajjplied himself with such diligence 
as to be able to pass the bar examination two 
}ears later. He immediately became his fath- 
er's partner and they practiced under the firm 
name E. H. & R. R. Little until the former's 
retirement. Our subject has since practiced 
alone and is patronized by a leading class of 
citizens and business men. having a large and 
profitable clientage. He is a man of great 
energy and indomitable will, and is untiring in 
the prosecution of every case he undertakes. 
He served as district attorney form 1873 to 
1881, two terms in all, and filled out two 
terms as county solicitor. He was also solic- 
itor for the borough one term. 

October 15. 1878, Judge Little was united 
in marriage with Deborah T. Tustin of 
Bloomsburg. and they are the happy parents 
of three children: Henry J.: Josiah T. ; and 
Catharine T. Socially he is a member of 
Washington Lotlge, No. 265, F. & A. M. In 
religious attachments he is a faithful member 
of the Baptist Church. Judge Little's por- 
trait accompanies this sketch, being presented 
on a previous page. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



191 



tLBERT KAY is one of the progres- 
sive and enterprising farmers of Elk- 
^,_^ laud township, SulHvan Connty, 
Pa., where he has resided since childhood. 
He is a son of William and Ann (Bedford) 
Kay. and was born in Yorkshire, England, 
March i8, 1847. His grandparents were 
George and Sarah A. Kay. 

William Kay, our subject's father, was horn 
in Yorkshire, England, in 1801, and in 1849 
innnigrated to the United States and obtained 
employment in the Barclay mines in Bradford 
County, Pa. He subsequently purchased a 
farm of ninety-two acres in Elkland township, 
now owned by Albert Kay, of a Mr. Bedford, 
and upon this he built a frame house, clearing 
the entire land and following farming the re- 
mainder of his life. He was a man of good 
business principles and attained a high degree 
of success in the pursuance of his occupation. 
Religiously he was a member oi the Evangeli- 
cal Church. He married Ann Bedford, who 
was born in 1807, and their children were: 
Joseph; Henry; Elizabeth; Harriet; Wil- 
liam; Sarah Ann; Mary Ann; Caroline; and 
Albert. 

Albert Ivay, whose name heads these lines, 
attended the public schools after coming to 
this country and followed farming and lum- 
bering up to the time of his father's demise. 
During his younger days many diiTiculties 
were encountered in transporting lumber 
from the great timber-lands of Sulli\-an Coun- 
ty to the markets owing to the narrow but 
swift streams down which timber had to be 
floated. It required a man of great skill to 
safely conduct timber down the Loyalsock 
Creek to the West Branch of the Susquehanna 
River, and the trips had to be made during 
the freshets in the spring and fall. Mr. Kay 
was unexcelled as a raftsman and made three 
or four trips every year, always returning by 



foot. He entered into this line of business as 
a steersman, but his services w^ere soon sought 
as a pilot and he followed that occupation for 
tweh'e years, during w hich time but once was 
his raft caught and held fast. Upon his fath- 
er's death he pnrch;ised the homestead and 
later bought land adjoining and has followed 
farming and teaming up to the present. He 
l)nilt an elegant modern house, which is well 
furnished and is supplied with many conven- 
iences; he also erecteil new barns and out- 
buildings, and everything about the place is 
in first-class order for successfully carrying on 
farming. He is \"ery industrious and his busi- 
ness enterprises have not only turned out well, 
but in prixate life he occupies a high place in 
the esteem of his fellowmen. 

Our subject was united in marriage with 
Susie King, a daughter of Job L. and Jane 
(Converse) King. Mr. King was a farmer 
of Sullivan County and for many years was 
county surveyor. He later settled at Columbia 
Cross Roads, where he died at the age of 
sixty-nine years. He married Jane Converse, 
and they reared si.x children, namely: Orlan- 
do; Rufus; Septor; Alice; Susie, wife of our 
subject; and Sadie. Upon the death of his 
first wife he married Lucinda Brenchley and 
they had one daughter, Lillian. Our subject 
is a stanch Republican and has served as com- 
missioner of the township and school director. 
He is liberal in his religious views. Frater- 
nally he is a member and grand past master 
of Lodge No. 532, L O. O. F., of Forksville. 



1:^; 



ILLL\M FAUST, a representative 
and progressive citizen of the town 
of Berwick and superintendent of the erecting 
car-shops of The Jackson & Woodin Manufac- 
turing Company, was Ijorn in Locust Valley, 



192 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Sclniylkill County. Pa.. July 3. 1845. aiul is a 
son of William and Rebecca (Lindenmouth) 
Faust and a grandson of John and Rosena 
(Ilungsinger) Faust. 

John Faust, the grandfatlier of our subject, 
was a farmer and lived to a ri]3e old age. He 
was wedded to Rosena Hungsiiiger who bore 
him the following children: John, George, 
William, Henr)-. Jameson. Phoebe, Betsey, 
Jacob, and Rosena. 

William Fau.st, the father of our sul)ject, 
was l)orn in this state ;ind when he grew to 
manhood he moved to Locust \'alley. Schuyl- 
kill County, where he purchased four hundred 
acres of timberland. He built a saw-mill, 
cleared part of the property and carried on 
farming the remainder of his active days. Mr. 
Faust was one of the progressive and success- 
ful farmers of his comnnmitN' and took an 
active part in all measures which tended to 
benefit the conditions of his fellow-country- 
men. Pie entered the world of rest at the age 
of fifty-two years; his wife passed from this 
earth July 17, 1897. Mrs. Pucetta Thomp- 
son, sister of our sul)ject, now owns part of the 
original liomestead. Mr. Faust was united in 
the bonds of wedlock to Rebecca Linden- 
mouth, and a family of fourteen children were 
born to them, namely : Israel, deceased; John, 
deceased; Joseph, a contractor residing in the 
town of Berwick; Henry and Eli, deceased; 
William, our subject; George, a resident of 
St. Nicholas, Pa.; Amos, who resides in Ma- 
hanoy City, Pa.; EHza, deceased, who was 
the wife of D. S. Scheipe; Ami, wife of J. J. 
Walborn. Mahanoy City, Pa.; Catherine, who 
was united in marriage to William Allen; Ro- 
sann;i. who wedded J. B. Koppenhafifer; Lu- 
cctta. wife of J. R. Thom])son; and Rebecca, 
who married H. R. Manger of New Boston, 
Pa. 

William Faust, the subject of this review. 



remained under the parental roof and at- 
tended the public schools until he was four- 
teen years of age. He then moved to Mid- 
dleport, Pa., where he learned the trade of a 
cabinetmaker. \\'hen President Lincoln is- 
sued a call for men to put down the Rebellion, 
our subject being sixteen years of age and 
too young to enlist as a regular, enlisted as a 
musician August 14, 1861, in Company I, 
48th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and remained in the 
service throughout the war. He served 
through all the battles with his company, 
which belonged to the Ninth Army Corps 
under the command of Gen. Burnside. 
Among the most notable battles in which our 
subject took part were Second Bull Run; 
South Mountain; Antietam; and Fredericks- 
burg. He then returned to his home on a 
furlough of thirty days and when he returned 
to the front lie joined Gen. Grant's Army, and 
was in the battles of the Wilderness; Spott- 
sylvania; Cold Harbor, and Petersburg. Our 
subject received an honorable discharge June 
17, 1865. Returning home, in 1867 he mo\ed 
to Berwick anil for eleven years he worked in 
the car-building department and did general 
carpenter work for The Jackson & \\'oodin 
Manufacturing Company, or until 1878 when 
lie was promoted to be foreman of the same 
de])artment. He has eighty men under his 
charge and they turn out fifteen cars per day. 
'Sir. Faust is a self-made man in every respect 
and has succeeded in life by his own industry 
and perseverance. He is an honest and faith- 
ful workman and is considered by his employ- 
ers one of the company's most reliable fore- 
men. As a citizen he is one of the valued 
members of his communitv. and is held in 
high esteem by all his accpiaintances. 

Mr. Faust has served as a member of the 
town council several times, and is a member 
of the I. O. O. F. Lodge of Berwick. Our 




GEURGK F. GEISINGEK 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



195 



subject was joined in tlie 1:)oncls of matrimony 
to Mary J. Smith, a daughter of Jolui Smitli, 
a resident of Black Creek, Luzerne County, 
Pa. Three children have blessed the home of 
Air. and Mrs. Faust, as follows: Frank, who 
is employed by The Jackson & \\'oodin Manu- 
facturing Company; Emma, the wife of W. 
S. Johnson, who is the mother of two child- 
ren. Clark and Frederick: and Charles, who 
died in infanc\'. 




RS. ABIGAIL A. GEISINGER. 

nee CORNELISON, who resides in 
a handsome residence on Center 
street, is the relict of George F. Geisinger and 
a descendant of an early and prominent family 
of the borough of Danville, Montour County. 
Pa. When her grandfather. Josej^h Corneli- 
son, first located there, Dan\-ille was but a 
small settlement and presented an appearance 
in striking contrast with the now thriving 
business center which is widely known 
throughout the state. This stur<ly o'tl ances- 
tor and his family became identified with 
many of its first industrial enterprises, and to 
such of her early residents as these does Dan- 
ville owe its present standing. With wonder- 
ful foresight and pride did they predict the 
success which she would attain, and none who 
have had the good fortune to see Danville in 
recent years can doubt the correctness of their 
predictions. 

Joseph Cornelison was born in Holland and 
upon coming to this country settled in the 
state of New Jersey, but soon after mo\ed to 
Danville, Montour County, Pa., where he es- 
tablished the first blacl<smith shop and fol- 
lowed that line of business the remainder of 
his life. He died in that town and was laid 
to rest in Grove Cemeterv. His wife's maiden 



name was Martin, and she was also buried in 
Grove Cemetery. Their marriage resulted in 
the following issue : Joseph, who was the first 
male white child born in Danville; William; 
Jacob; Isaac, the father of our subject; Cor- 
nelius; James; Massey; Mary (Yorks); and 
Anna (Best). 

Isaac Cornelison was born in Danville, and 
at an earh- day learned the trade of a wagon- 
maker, carrying on his business on Mill street. 
There he followed that line of work until his 
death, at the age of forty-three years. He 
married Abigail Pancoast, a daughter of Mor- 
decai and Mary (Meats) Pancoast, who were 
strict adherents of the Quaker faith. Mrs. 
Cornelison died at the age of twenty-four 
years and six months, leax'ing two children : 
Mary E., the wife of p. Rice, both now de- 
ceased; and Abigail A., the subject of this 
personal history. 

Our subject was first united in marriage 
with Jacob Cornelison, who was for some 
years proprietor of the hotel known as the 
\\'hite Swan. He was a son of Joseph Cornel- 
ison, who, in 1820, purchased the ground on 
which the City Hotel is now situated, and ten 
\'ears later erected a building in which he con- 
ducted a fine hotel. This estalilishment be- 
came well-known throughout that section as 
the White Swan ; a very appropriate sign was 
hung over the door, being an artistically- 
painted white swan. He continued at the head 
of this establishment until 1852, when his son. 
Jacol). succeeded him as proprietor. The lat- 
ter conducted the business with success until 
his death, in 1865. at the age of thirty-five 
years. The building was large and sid^stan- 
tial. In 1872 it was purchased by Adam 
Geringer and he erected the present structure 
known as the City Hotel. 

Our subject formed a second matrimonial 
.".'liance with George F. Geisinger. who was 



196 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



born in Hingham, Mass., in 1821, and was a 
son of Comniodnrc David Geisinger. At the 
age of sixteen years he was sent to Boston 
for the completion of his education, and upon 
leaving college he went to Baltimore, Md., 
and accepted a position in a mercantile busi- 
ness. Jic remained there uiUil 1844, when he 
accomi)anied his father on a pleasure trip 
abroad, returning to liallimorc two years 
later. ]n 1847 he went to South America and 
.spent two years in prospecting, and upon re- 
turning, in 1S49, he went to California. Sul)- 
se(|ueiUl\ he went to Philadelphia, where he 
acted as his father's secretary at the Naval 
Asylum until 1(854. In June, 1835, he ac- 
cepted the position of bookkeeper for Grove 
& Bro., a prominent iron manufacturing firm 
of Dan\ille. This tirm was succeeded by 
Thomas Beaver & Co., hut Mr. Geisinger still 
retained the position of head bookkeeper, act- 
ing in that capacity for a period of twenty- 
four vcars, when he became a member of the 
tirm. He possessed unexcelled business pro- 
pensities and proved a valuable man to have 
at the heatl of this industry. However, he later 
disposed of his interest in order that he might 
spend the remainder of an lunisually active 
life in (piiet retirement, his only business for 
the remainder of his life being an interest 
which he acquired with Daniel Edwards in 
mining and dealing in coal at Kingston, Pa. 
After his death, in 1883, his worthy wife as- 
sumed his interest in the business and has 
continued as a member of the firm up 
to the present time, conducting her affairs 
with characteristic ability and good judg- 
ment. 

Mrs. Geisinger purchased the old Shelhart 
residence on' Center street, rcniddelcd it, and 
greatly improved the lawn by the adilition 
of shrubs and trees, making it a model home, 
and one of the finest residences in the county. 



Religiously she is a liberal supporter of the 
Mahoning Presbyterian Church, of which her 
husband was also a faithful member. She is a 
woman possessing many excellent qualities 
and t)ccupies a high place in the estimation of 
her m;niy friends. 

On a preceding page, in coimection with 
the foregoing sketch, we take pleasure in pre- 
senting a i)ortrait of George F. Geisinger. 




U.ANK C. ANGLE is a lawyer of much 
prominence in MoiUour CoutUy. but 
he is better known to the public as the 
])roprietor and ])ublisher of the Montour 
.American, a weekly paper of high standing, 
and the Morning News, a daily containing the 
latest telegraphic news. al)oun(ling in items 
of local interest, and sensible and entertaining 
editorials which are well and carefully written 
and show the result of deep thought. Mr. 
Angle has been connected with the growth 
of Danville in many ways and has done more 
for the ad\ancement of its iiUerests than any 
other single indixidual in the same period. He 
is a native of Danville, having been born Feb- 
ruary 25, 1854, and is a son of William and 
Henrietta ( Pursel) Angle. 

The grandfather of our subject was a lead- 
ing agrictdturist of Greenwood township, Co- 
hunbi;i tdunty, where he li\'ed a long and 
useful life. William .\ngle, the father of our 
subject, was born in (jreenwood township, 
Columbia County, and when a young man 
remo\-ed to Danxille and established a general 
merchamlise store opposite the Danville Pub- 
lic Library, which building has since been torn 
ilown. He was engagefl in that business for 
over twenty years, and .at the expiration of 
that period he had accunudated enough 
wealth to enable him to retire and spend his 
declining dax's in ease and comfort. He owned 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



197 



many \aluable pieces of property in Danville 
and built a block of dwelling-bouses on 
Cburcb street. He served in the town coun- 
cil for several terms and was also a commis- 
sioner of water works. He was joined in 
hymeneal bonds to Henrietta Pursel, a 
ilaughter of William Pursel of Jersey Shore, 
Pa., and their happy union was blessed l)y the 
birth of the following children: Frank C. in 
whom the interest of this sketch centers: Liz- 
zie H.. the wife of J. E. Bru'.ey of Syracuse. 
N. Y. : and William P., a well known dentist 
and business man of Danville. In political 
views William Angle faithfully supported the 
principles of the Republican party. He was 
liberal in his religious views. He c'osed his 
eyes in final sleep at the age of sixty-three 
}'ears, anrl his worthv wife now resides in Dan- 
ville. 

Frank C. Angle, after completing the re- 
quired course in the common schools, at- 
tended Lehigh University from which he 
graduated with the class of 1876. He then 
took up the study of law with Thomas Gal- 
breth, a learned lawyer of Danville, and was 
admitted to the Montour County Bar in 
1879, after which he formed a partnership 
with James Scarlet and began practice. Sub- 
sequently the partnership was dissolved and 
Mr. Angle has since been engaged in practice 
alone. He is a man of high principles, shrewd 
and energetic, and he makes the case of a 
client a personal matter. ]nitting forth his 
greatest efforts. In debates he is cool and 
collected, presents the facts clearly and argues 
forcibly. He has not only been engaged in 
the work of his profession, but has been close- 
ly connected with many public enterprises, es- 
pecially where the welfare of the borough of 
Danville has been concerned. He is a mem- 
ber of the board of water commissioners of 
Danville; manager of the Danville Opera 



House; and is proprietor of the Atlas Manu- 
facturing Company which was estal)lished in 
1875. He erected the building, in which he 
manufactures all kinds of wooden household 
novelties, and the company does an enormous 
business, also conducting a branch house in 
Williamsport. In 1878 our subject purchased 
the Montour .\merican. which was founded 
December 1 1, 1855. by D. H. B. Brower, who 
was succeeded l)y Joel S. Bailey and Charles 
Cork in 1864. Mr. Brower again became the 
owner in 1871 and disposed of it to W. H. 
Bradley and Lewis Gordon. They conducted 
the paper for a few years, and were succeeded 
by Edward C. Baldy, William B. Baldy, and 
finally by Bennett & Frick. of whom our sub- 
ject purchased the plant. Lender his success- 
ful guidance it has prospered and l)ecome one 
of the best weekly papers in the county, hav- 
ing a circulation of 800 copies per week. In 
September, 1897, he established the Morning 
News, which has had an exceedingly ra]iid 
growth and has a circulation of 700 co])ies 
per day. Mr. Angle is a man of medium 
stature, of fine personal appearance, and by 
the pleasant and courteous luanner which be 
manifests toward every one has become yer\- 
popular and has made many friends through- 
out his section of the country. 

Mr. Angle and Sue Robison, a daughter 
of Theodore Robison of Easton, Pa., took 
the marriage vows and they are the proud 
parents of two sons, namely : Theodore and 
Frank Purcel. In religious views our subject 
is an Episcopalian, and a member of Christ 
Memorial Church, of which he is senior war- 
den. 




ILLIA:\I W. black, the popular 
and efficient sheriff of Columbia 
County, resides in the county jail at Blooius- 
burg, which is one of the finest and best 



198 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



equipped in tlie state. He is a son of Jolin 
and Ann (Lemons) Black, and was horn in 
Eyers Grove, Colunil)ia Count)-, November 
19, 1845. 

Jeremiah Black, grandfatlier of our subject, 
who was Ijorn in Londonderry, Ireland, and 
came to America about the year 1800, first 
located in Lewisburg-, Northumberland 
County, and later moved to Columbia Coun- 
ty. He was naturally a mechanic and fol- 
lowed the trade of a miller and millwright. 
In Northumberland County he operated a 
large flour mill until 1822, the time of his re- 
moval to Columbia County, and the remain- 
der of his life was spent in operating a mill 
owned by James Heberman. He was drowned 
in attempting to ford a stream below the mills 
on December 7, 1827. His wife survived him 
many \ ears, dying January z~ . 1863. Their 
union was blessed by the birth of the following 
children: James, who was born in t8o6, was 
a miller and inxentor by trade and died in 
Philadelphia at the age of eighty years; John, 
the father of our subject; Mary, who married 
Theodore Pinkerton, a resident of Indiana: 
Jeremiah, who died at an early age; William, 
a retired jeweler of Tioga County; Caroline, 
deceased, who married a Mr. Pearsall, an act- 
or; Lovina, who died at an early age: and 
Horatio Nelson, who, like his father, is of a 
mechanical turn of mind, and resides in Phil- 
adelphia. 

John Black, the father of our sul)ject, was 
born October 26, 1809, and in due time 
learned the trade of a miller with his father 
and after the latter's death assisted in sup- 
porting the family and rearing his younger 
brothers and sisters. He was first employed 
in Hoffman's mill near Light Street, Pa., and 
later at Bowiuan's and other mills in that lo- 
cality. He was finally obliged to give u]) his 
trade on account of failinsj' health and for 



some time he was engaged in burr dressing, 
after which he purchased a tavern at Rohrs- 
burg, which he conducted in connection with 
a general merchandise store. He Iniilt a new 
hotel which is still standing and is known as 
the Rohrsburg House. His son, Perry D., 
succeeded him as jaroprietor of the store, but 
Mr. Pilack assisted him until 1898, when he 
removed to Bloomsburg, where he has since 
lived in retirement at the home of our subject. 
He is enjoying e.xcellent health for one of his 
years, being now jiassed eighty-nine years of 
age, and has a large number of friends 
throughout the countv who wish him many 
more years of heahh and ha])])iness. Mr. 
Black was united in marriage to .\nn Lemon, 
a daughter of Jonathan Lemon, January 31, 
1833, and they reared seven children, as fol- 
lows: Lemon J., who is a farmer near Rohrs- 
burg; Isaac F., a retired citizen of Morris, Ti- 
oga Comity, Pa., where he was formerly a very 
popular hotelkeeper; Perry D., a merchant of 
Rohrsburg: Mary C, deceased; Alfred B.. 
who died in 1866 from diseases contracted in 
the War of the Rebellion; William W., the 
subject of this personal history; and Eliza- 
beth, who married J. W. I'ortner of Centralia. 
Pa. 

William W. Black was reared in his native 
township where he attended the conuuon 
schools. He then engaged in huckstering 
which business he continued until he pur- 
chased his father's hotel, which he managed 
for o\cr fifteen years with good results. He 
then followed farming in connection with the 
hotel business but for the past three years has 
rented his hotel projierty. In 1894 he was a 
candidate for the office of sherifif, but was 
beaten for the nomination. In 1897 he re- 
ceived the nomination, was elected by a com- 
fortable majority, and has since performed the 
duties of that office in such a manner as to 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



199 



gain the higliest approval of all concerned. 
On January i, 1S97. Mr. Black moved into 
the residence ])art of the jail, which is fitted 
with all modern improvements and is in keep- 
ing with the remainder of the building. It is 
a massixe and beautiful stone structure of two 
stories and a basement, and has a large stone 
tower from which an excellent \iew of the 
town of Bloomsburg may be had. The in- 
terior is divided into twenty-eight cells, four- 
teen on each floor, each of which contains the 
regulation furnishings. The jail is well venti- 
lated and is lighted by three sky-lights and 
glass-closed slots, which are too small to per- 
mit a prisoner to escape througli them. Every 
possible precaution is taken to prevent the 
esca]3e of any of the ]irisoners, as the walls 
are of hea\_\' stone, lined with metal, and the 
doors are also lined with metal. About the 
building is a stone wall twenty-two and a half 
feet in height with a smooth finish on the in- 
side. Mr. Black appointed his son, A. Bruce 
Black, deputy sheriff, and he has performed 
his duties in a conscientious and straightfor- 
word manner. Our subject has also served in 
official capacity as constable and tax collector. 

Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Rachel A. Unger, a daughter of Lafay- 
ette Unger of Unityville, and they became 
the proud parents of two children: Ella M., 
who married John W. Mather, by whom she 
had two sons, Ray and Bruce: and A. Bruce, 
who attended the high school of York. Pa., 
and the seminary at Williamsport, and is also 
a graduate of Michael's University of Logans- 
port, Lid., — he took a special course in pen- 
manship in Zanerian .\rt College at Colum- 
bus. O., and for a short time was a teacher 
of penmanship. 

Li 1864. during the darkest period of the 
Civil War, Mr. Black enlisted in 210th Reg., 
Pa. \'ol. Lif.. as a private and continued in 



the service until the close of the war. Our 
subject is well known throughout the district 
as a man of sterling (jualities and is respected 
and esteemed bv a large circle of friends. 




EV. ALOYSIUS MEUWESE, the 
beloved pastor of the Church of Our 
Lady of Mount Carmel, although 
a resident of Mount Carmel for only a few 
years has so endeared himself to the faithful 
Roman Catholics of that borough, as well as to 
his neighbors of all religious creeds, that his 
dei)arture would be looked upon as a misfor- 
tune to the town. A man of strong character, 
pleasant in his manner and forceful in his pul- 
pit utterances, a devout follower of Ciod. 
Father Meuwese is popular and has done 
much in a brief period of time to advance the 
interests of both his church and the town in 
which he so kindl)- and successfully presides 
over his church and his people. 

Father Meuwese is a son of Cornelius Fran- 
cis and Petronilla (Coppens) Meuwese. He 
was born December 5, 1859, in the city of 
Bois le Due (Woods of the Duke), the an- 
cient capital of the province of North Bra- 
bant, The Netherlands. He is the youngest of 
a family of twelve children, ten sons and two 
daughters. The oldest of his brothers, Lam- 
bert, was also a priest and served the church 
for a period of thirteen years faithfully in The 
Netherlands, and died in 1883. Our subject 
when c|uite young began his studies in the 
school of the Christian Brothers and there 
completed his elementary course, then entered 
the Petit Seminary in his native diocese where 
he applied himself to the classics, Latin and 
Greek. Having determined to enter the 
priesthood, he took the philosophical part of 
his course in the diocesan seminary at Haaren 



200 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 



and compleleil his theology in the renowned 
.American College at Lonvain, Belgium. On 
.April 14. 1884. he was ordained to the priest- 
liodd ill the Iqiiscopal ciiapel of Bois le Dnc 
l.y Rt. Rev. Adrian Godschalk. D. D. He 
dei)artcd from the land of his birth in the fall 
of 1884 and landed at A'ancouver, Wash., 
at that time a territory. His lirst appointment 
was as assistant in the cathedral in A^ancouver. 
a teacher of the primary class at Holy Angels' 
College, and as rector in charge of seven mis- 
sions in the vicinity of A^ancouver. So well 
were his duties performed that our subject 
was within a year appointed resident rector of 
the Chinch of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, 
ill .S])rague. Lincoln County, \\'ash., with a 
mission-field comprising territory seventy-five 
miles square, and which he was obliged to 
cover on horseback in making his rounds and 
administering to the people. In 1890, his 
health having failed, on account of the ardu- 
ous duties of his missionary life, he was trans- 
ferred, at his own reipiest, to Seattle, Wash., 
where he assumed the duties of assistant rec- 
tor of the Church of Good Help. H^e then 
took charge of many missions in the \icinity 
of Seattle, frequently visiting the lumber 
camps, the mining villages and the fertile val- 
ley and hopfields between Seattle and Taco- 
ma. In 18(^2 I-'ather Aleuwese visited his na- 
tive land for rest and returning in the fall of 
that year resumed his labors, giving up mis- 
sionary work on the advice of his physician, 
and remf)\-ing to the diocese of Harrisburg, 
Pa., in I'ebruary, 1803. immediately locating 
in .Mount Carmel where he has been active 
and successful since as a priest and pastor. 
He began his work in Mount Carmel as as- 
sistant to Father James O'Reilly and assumed 
the rectorate upon the transfer of the former 
jiriest to another i)arish in July, 1893. 

I )uriiig his iiastnr.'ite nf llie Church of Our 



Lady of Mount Carmel, our subject has Ijeen 
energetic and assiduous in behalf of his ]5eo- 
ple and the religion of which he is a firm and 
a consistent minister. He has organized sev- 
eral church societies, all of which have flour- 
ished and been productive of great good, in- 
cluding the St. -Aloysius C. T. A. Society. 
Ladies' Temperance Society, the Cadets of 
Temperance, the St. A'incent de Paul's So- 
ciety, and the customary societies common in 
the work of the Roman Catholic Church. 
0\'er all of these Father Aleuwese keeps 
watchful eye and guides them with kindly, 
firm, fatherly hand, each one being of large 
mem1)ership and thoroughly alive and accom- 
])lishing much of the church wavk which con- 
tributes to the growth and the spiritual wel- 
fare of his ]:)arish. Especially devoted has 
been our subject to the cause of sol)rietv and 
to him many times have been paid the tearful, 
yet joyful, tributes of mothers, wives, and 
even sweethearts, becatise of his gcjod in- 
fluence with and his hel])fulness towards their 
loved ones. Uniet and unassuming, blather 
Meuwese has a delightfully informal manner 
which makes his visitations anxiously looked 
forward to. 

The ]iarish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 
contains something over 400 families and it 
has pros])ere(l finely considering that it is 
comparatively young and that a period of de- 
pression in the business wimUI has added to 
the difificulties which Father Meuwese and his 
good people have had to contend against. As 
related elsewhere in this Book of Biographies, 
in a review of the life-work of A^ery Rev. J. J. 
Koch, Mount Carmel was a mission attached 
to the ijarish of St. Edward's Church of Sham- 
okin and was for a time presided over by 
Father Loch. The mission grew and in 1871 
Father P'ields of Centralia, now deceased, was 
l)!aced ill charge of it. I'^athcr Fields was sue- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



201 



ceeded by Rev. John O'Reilly, who was the 
first resident pastor. Mount Carmel liaving 
])een made a separate parish. Father O'Reilly 
was a priest of marked ability and under his 
administration the new parish progressed suc- 
cessfully. On a visit to Marietta, on July 26. 
1892, Father O'Reilly was stricken down, dy- 
ing in a short time, cut off in the midst of a 
most useful and successful career. His burial 
at St. Joseph, Sus(juehanna County, was at- 
tended by a large delegation of his ]\Iount 
Carmel parishioners, sorrowing greatly at the 
sudden taking away of one whom they so 
dearly loved and respected. The succeeding 
pastor of the church was Rev. Mark A. 
O'Neil who finished the construction of the 
church which Father O'Reilly had begun. 
Father O'Neil lived to see the edifice dedi- 
cated in May, 1888, by Bishop McGovern of 
Harrisburg, soon after passing to his final 
reward. Rev. James O'Reilly was the next 
pastor of the church. He organized the paro- 
chial school and on September 25, 1892, was 
gratified by installing as instructors five Sis- 
ters of the Immaculate Heart from West 
Chester. The work so well begun l)y Father 
O'Reilly has been as well carried to its termi- 
nation by Father Meuwese. Nearly 300 
children are enrolled in the parochial school 
and the pastor hopes soon to be able to pro- 
\ide for a new and more a<le(|uate school 
l)uilding. 




ARTIN I. HENNESSY. Promi- 
nent among the influential and 
enterprising business men of the 
town of Bloomsburg, is the gentleman whose 
name heads this narrative, who is pro- 
prietor of the Bloomsburg Bottling Works. 
He was born in Centralia, Columbia Countv. 



Pa., September 17, 1868, and is a son of John 
and Catherine (Larkin) Hennessy. 

John Hennessy was a native of County Gal- 
way, Ireland, and at the age of twenty-one 
years he left his native country, came to the 
United States and engaged in mining until 
his death. His latter days were spent in Cen- 
tralia, Columbia County. Mr. Hennessy was 
united in the bonds of wedlock to Catherine 
Larkin and a family of five children was born 
to them, namely: ]\Iartin I., the subject of 
this personal history; John; Mary; Thomas; 
and Catherine. His widow now resides in 
Bloomsburg. 

Our subject received his intellectual train- 
ing in the public schools of Centralia and at 
the age of nine years he began work in the 
breakers of that town; at the age of sixteen 
years he went with his father and engaged in 
mining for four years. He then learned the 
trade of a plasterer and bricklayer, which oc- 
cupation he followed five years. At the age of 
twenty-five years he purchased the Blooms- 
burg Bottling Works, which was established 
by Mr. O'Blosser who was succeeded by his 
wife, she by Peter Gross and he upon his 
death by E. P. Cameron, who was succeeded 
by our subject in 1894. When Mr. Hennessy 
took possession of the establishment it had a 
small trade, but by the closest attention and 
honest dealings he has succeeded in building 
up a large and paying patronage, tie handles 
over 2,000 barrels of beer and various kinds of 
carbonated drinks and has an extensive pat- 
ronage in Bloomsburg and the surrounding 
villages. 

Mr. Hennessy formed a matrimonial al- 
liance with Clara Gross, a daughter of Peter 
and Philojiina (Young) Gross. Peter Gross 
was born in Swarton, Rheinpfalz, Bavaria, 
Germanv, June 20, 1825, and during his 
vouthfid (lavs he learned the trade of a stone- 



202 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



mason. In iSfio lie came with his family tn tlic 
United States and located in Kingston, Pa., 
and later moved to Danville, Pa., where he 
followed the puddler's trade. In 1871 he mi- 
grated to Bloomslnirg and purchased the 
O'Blosser Bottling- Works, which he rebuilt 
and enlarged, carrying on the business until 
his death, Xovember 21. 1890. He wedded 
rhiloi)ina Young and they reared a large 
family of children, namely: Jacob, deceased: 
Philip, deceased: David; ^largaret, the wife 
of Charles Ball: Lena, who married John Den- 
niker: l^aniel, deceased: \\'illiam, a resident 
of BloouLsburg; Clara, the wife of our sub- 
ject; Peter; Elizabeth; and- John. 

To our subject and wife were born two clnl- 
drcn : John, born in Bloomsbiu'g, June 22, 
1X94: and Frances Clara, born in Blooms- 
l)urg, Xovember 26, 1897. Mrs. Hennes.sy 
departed this life January 3, 1899. Our sul)- 
ject is interested in local and general matters 
antl politically votes the straight Democratic 
ticket. He is a valued member of the com- 
munity and by his upright dealings and habits 
of thrift and industry has secured the confi- 
dence and esteem of his neighbors. 



SThEODORE REDEKER, a prominent 
( j| citizen and manufacturer of the town 
of Bloomsburg who is successfully en- 
gaged in the manufacture of furniture, was 
born in the city of Philadelphia Xovember 
21, 1856, and is a son of Henry ^\'illiam and 
Caroline (Reimer) Redeker, and grandson of 
William Redeker. 

Henry W. Redeker, the father of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Struken, Prussia, and his 
younger days were sjient in learning the trade 
of a cabinetmaker. In 1854 he left his native 
country and came to the I'nited States. He 



located in Philadelphia, where he followed his 
trade. 

Our subject received a common school ed- 
ucation and then worked with his father, 
learning the trade of a cabinetmaker, .\ttain- 
ing his manhood he became interested in the 
manufacture of furniture and was made super- 
intendent of the J. K. Rishel Furniture Works 
at Hughesville, Lycoming County. Pa. Li 
1 89 1 our subject removed to Bloomsburg and 
organized the Bloomsburg Furniture Com- 
jjany. the officers of which are as follows: 
Theodore Redeker, president; and \\'. H. 
Schuyler, secretary and treasurer. They 
erected a large brick factory 50 liy too feet 
on the corner of East Seventh and Spruce 
streets, near the tracks of the D., L. iK: W. 
R. R., and have successfully engaged in the 
manufacture of bedroom sets, sideboards, and 
all other furniture. The proprietors are both 
thoroughly reliable business men and by their 
honest business methods and excellent work 
thev ha\e estal)lished a large and ]>aying \rd- 
tronage. Li 1897 our subject organized the 
Xorth Branch Furniture Company, formerly 
the Bloomsburg Furniture Company, whose 
officers are: \\'. 'SI. Reber. president: F. \\'. 
Redeker. secretary: Theodore Redeker, su- 
perintendent: \\'. J. Correll, manager and 
treasurer; and W. II. Slate, assistant mana- 
ger. The company has two large factories, 
one 60 by 80 feet and the other 50 by 100 
feet; the machinery is operated by an en- 
gine of one hundred horse-power, and the 
plant has its own electric-light power. The 
company employs upwards of seventy-five 
men, who turn out a fine grade of work, and 
makes large shipments throughout the East- 
ern States. 

Mr. Redeker was united in the bonds of 
matrimony to IMary E. \"an Buskirk of 
Hu2'hes\-ille, Pa., and as a result of this union 




jt^ ^■'-■j:^f 




WILLIAM HARTMAN WOUUIX. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



205 



four children bless their home, namely: An- 
nie, Robert, Florence, and Marie. Mr. Red- 
eker is now in the prime of life, enjoying the i 
comforts of a neat little home and surrounded 
by a happy family. His strict attention to 
business has secured him a fair share of this 
world's goods, while his uprightness in all his 
dealings, combined with his genial deport- 
ment, has won him the respect and affection 
t)f all who know him. In politics he acts with 
the Democratic party. While at Hughesville 
he served as borough auditor and school di- 
rector. 



/^LEMUEL RICKETTS WOODIN is 
I J| too well-known throughout the Sev- 
^<i -^ enteenth Congressional District 
to need an extended introduction to the read- 
ers of this volume. His name is known and 
respected throughout the United States wher- 
ever any attention is paid to the rolling-stock 
of railroads. His present and past connection 
with car-manufacturing i)laces him among the 
most prominent men of the Keystone State. 
For twenty-two years, until 1894, he served 
as president of The Jackson & Woodin Manu- 
facturing Companv, of which his father was 
one of the founders, and of which his son, 
William H. Woodin. is now vice-president. 
He is now living a retired life, because of fail- 
ing health brought on by business cares, and 
resides in his palatial residence on Berwick 
Heights, than which there is no finer nor 
more completely-appointed home in Central 
Pennsylvania. 

Mr. Woodin was born in Cambria, Luzerne 
County, Pa., December 26, 1844, and is a son 
of the late \\'illiam Hartman Woodin, a 
grandson of David Charles Woodin, and a 
great-grandson of Milo W^oodin, a native of 



Connecticut. Our subject's grandfather was 
an architect l)y profession who settled in 
rennsylvania; he died October 21, 1825. a 
}'oung man in years. He was married in 1819 
to Sarah Hartman, wIkj was born in Catawis- 
sa, Columbia County, Pa., in 1792, and who 
died the same year as her husbanil. Their 
children numbered three, as follows : William 
Hartman : Joseph B. ; and a daughter. 

William Hartman Woodin was born in 
Salem, Luzerne County, Pa., November 4, 
1 82 1, and married Elizabeth Foster, daugh- 
ter of John and Ellen Foster. Among the 
first of his business ventures was the building 
of a foundry at Foundryville, Briarcreek 
township, Columbia County, where he manu- 
factured pig iron, and, later, stoves and plows. 
\\\ 1849 he united his interests with those of 
I\L W. Jackson, who had in 1840 with George 
Mack established a foundry at Berwick. Mr. 
Jackson bought out Mr. Mack and the united 
strength of the firm of Jackson & Woodin. 
under which style they did business from the 
start, was such as to assure full and complete 
success. Both gentlemen possessed extraor- 
dinary ability and shrewd business judgment 
and each had a practical and thorough knowl- 
edge of the iron industry. They started in 
Inisiness in a Iniilding. 40 by 25 feet, at the 
corner of Market and Third .streets, where 
they manufactured the Robb sto\-e, with open 
grate, and a round stove with a bake-oven on 
top; also plows, a specialty in this line being 
the old Bull plow. The stoves and plows were 
among the best of that time, but would be 
considered crude at the present day, because 
of the many improvements that have been 
made. In 1850 they began the manufacture 
of iron pipes; in 1858 they commenced mak- 
ing iM'idge castings for the Philadelphia & 
Erie Railroad. In 1861 the firm of Jackson 
& \\'oodin received a large contract from 



206 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Mr. Crevelingf. a large lime manufacturer of 
l''s])y, Qolumbia County; tlie order was for 
si.xteen four-wheeled cars, which they con- 
structed in a shed; when the cars were fin- 
ished the sides of the shed were torn down, 
and the cars drawn to the railroad by horses. 
In this work the two partners demonstrated 
tliat they were men of exceptional ability, 
whom no obstacles could overcome or drive 
from their original ])urpose. The result was 
that from that lime forward they never lacked 
orders and iheir business grew pleasingly, 
many new ilepartments being added to the 
rapidly growing plant. One of the specialties 
that Messrs. J-ickson and Woodin developed 
was the manufacture of mine cars and mine 
castings, and in this branch of work they have 
lield their own with many competitors to the 
present time. The partners were greatly 
aided in their work by their mutual friend, 
.\. C". Whitney of Philadelpliia. who gave 
tliem timely advice and lent them patterns and 
chills for the mouldings of car wheels. It 
may also be said that the man who mixed the 
iron for the wheels made at that time is still 
in the employ of the company and serves in 
the same capacity as then. In 1872 the D., 
L. <Jv; W. R. R. built a switch in Second street 
and connected it with all parts of the Jackson 
& Woodin plant, and so from that time on the 
firm's goods were loaded on cars in its own 
yards. On March i, 1872, The Jackson & 
Woodin Manufacturing Company was or- 
ganized, with C. R. \\'oodin, our subject, 
president, his father retiring. 

William Hartman Woodin was a man be- 
lo\ed by all. He was strict and exact in busi- 
ness afTairs and had little patience with those 
wlio were disposed to shirk obligations or to 
slight their work. But, with all his adherence 
to the sterling rules of business, he ne\'er lost 
sight of the fact that he had been blessed 



abundantly and that it was his duty to make 
bright and hapjiy the lives of those whose lot, 
otherwise, nnght have been wretchedness and 
want. Tie ga\e libcrall)- as a friend ;md not 
as one dispensing alms. In his life there was 
nothing artificial, nothing out of harmony. 
He was loved and respected b_\- all who knew 
him and bis death on November 10, 1886, 
was mourned as a public calamity. The mem- 
ory of his noblv spent life is still green in the 
minds of all with whom he was associated in 
varied walks of life. His wife, who is now 
aged seventy-seven years, is living in Ber- 
wick, Pa. Their children were as follows : 
Joseph B., deceased; Sarah A., deceased; C. 
R., our subject; Eudora W'., widow of the 
late S. P. Hanly of Berwick; Mary, deceased; 
John Foster, of Arkansas; and Elizabeth, de- 
ceased. 

C. R. Woodin, at the age of sixteen years, 
left Kingston Seminary on account of his 
eyes, and began work under his father. In 
1863 he served one year in the Pennsylvania 
Emergency Reserves, Company C, 28th Reg- 
iment. Upon his return to Berwick he ap- 
plied himself to learning and l)ecoming fa- 
miliar with every detail and development of 
the business. He was made president of the 
company upon its organization, March i, 
1872, and filled that oflice luUil 1894, when, 
his health having been overtaxed by business, 
he resigned. The company is now officered 
liy the follow ing men : Fred'k H. Eaton, a 
nephew of the subject of this sketch, presi- 
dent; William H. Woodin, vice-president; W. 
F. Lowery, secretary; W. M. Hager, treasur- 
er; and H. F. Glenn, general manager. It has 
a capital of $1,100,000. The business has in- 
creased yearly until now the Jackson & 
Woodin cars are seen on nearly all railroads 
of the United States and Canada. Employ- 
ment is gix'en to 1.500 workmen, most of 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



207 



tliem skilled in their department of work. 
Descriptions of tlie various departments, such 
as the car-wheel foundr}', pipe foundry, rolling- 
mills, and car, casting, paint, car-building, and 
forging departments, are on other pages of 
this work in the biographical sketches of the 
different foremen and superintendents. 

Mr. Woodin has lived the greater part of 
his life in Berwick, only making his home at 
Hazleton for a short time for the benefit of 
his health, as a high ele\'ation was recjuired. 
In 1890 he bought the Van Pelt and other 
farms located on an elevation north of the 
town of Berwick. A few acres having been 
cleared on the highest part of an elevation of 
1,200 feet above the sea, and 700 feet above 
the railroad track at Berwick, Air. Woodin 
decided to build residences for himself and 
son there. A fine graded road 2 8-10 miles 
in length leads to the summit from which a 
broatl, open view of the Susquehanna \"alley 
may be had, with mountain after mountain 
piled up for a background and with the fer- 
tile valley in which Berwick is located for an 
immediate foreground. Besides Berwick, 
which is one of the most progressive boroughs 
in the state, several small villages may be seen. 
To the southwest is a magnificent scene of for- 
est-covered peaks and cuts and ravnies, that 
is scarcely surpassed in beauty and grandeur. 
To the north on a clear day can be seen the 
Cjlen Summit Hotel, 30 miles distant, and still 
farther the Pocono Mountains. In the sum- 
mer, one escapes the sultry valley air and en- 
joys the mountain breezes, receiving health 
and invigoration the year around. In 1891 
Mr. Woodin built his beautiful home on this 
charming spot, constructing it of stone and 
wood, with spacious verandas. His son also 
built a residence near by, and both are of 
Queen Anne style. The houses are furnished 
with all the conveniences that minister to the 



comfort of its occupants, both in summer and 
in winter. Three cottages were erected for 
his employees, and a water tower 50 feet high 
was built of stone and timber, stone being 
u.sed for the first story; this tower is supplied 
with pure s])ring water which is forced to it 
by pumps located at the spring 1,600 feet 
below at the foot of the hill. .\lso attached 
to the tower, and located on its first floor, is 
a chemical engine and hose-cart, for emer- 
gency use in case of fire. A large Ijarn was 
also built for each house: one of them burn- 
ing recentlv, it was rebuilt into a handsome 
structure, ^^ by 40 feet, finished throughout 
with Norway pine. The borough of Berwick 
supplies the necessary means of illuminating 
the premises. Sixteen arc lights disposed 
about the house and on the walks and drives 
are lit every night, and give to one, who may 
be miles away, the impression that a city is 
located there. As many trees of the natural 
forest growth were left standing, the grounds 
do not lack for abundant shade. Beautiful 
lawns, tennis courts, flower gardens, fruit or- 
chards and gardens make up the rest of the 
prospect, which is truly a delightful one. Mr. 
Woodin lives quite closely at home through- 
out the \ear, except during the severest 
weather, when he makes a trip to the South 
to avoid the chilling blasts of winter. Mr. 
Woodin married Mary Dickerman, daughter 
of Dr. Charles and Adelia Dickerman of Hart- 
ford, Pa., and to them was born one son, Wil- 
liam Hartman. named after his noble grand- 
father. 

William Hartman Woodin, the only child 
of our subject, was born May 27, 1868, in 
Berwick, where he received his early educa- 
tion in the public schools. At the age of 
fourteen years he entered the preparatory de- 
partment of the Woodbridge School of 
Mines, New York City, and completed his 



208 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



technical education in tlie School of Mines 
of Colunii)ia College. Returning to Berwick, 
he made himself master of the practical work- 
ings of the great institution of which his fath- 
er was then president and ac(|uainted himself 
with every detail, so that now he is the best 
informed of the stockholders. He was made 
a member of the executive committee, and, 
after two years in that position, became gen- 
eral superintendent of the plant and a director 
of the company. In 1896 he was chosen vice- 
president, and is most efficiently filling his 
father's place. He has won the highest es- 
teem of his employees and the residents of 
Berwick. On August 25, 1898, Mr. Woodin 
was made the nominee of the Republicans of 
the Seventeenth Congressional District for 
Congress, Representative Monroe H. Kulp 
retiring at his own re<|uest. At the ensuing 
election in November. Mr. Woodin was de- 
feated. He represents the young element of 
bis party, and also the business interests of 
Berwick, in which he figures both modestly 
and prominently. He was married October 
9, 1889. to Annie Jessup, daughter of Judge 
William 11, Jessu]) of Montrose. Pa., and to 
them two children have come, namely : Mary, 
Louise, born in Scranton, Pa., October 31, 
1891; and .\nnic Jessup. born in New York 
City on April 10, 1894. 

William Hartman Woodin is a director of 
the Berwick Water Comiiany. is secretary and 
director of the Berwick l-^lectric Light Com- 
panv, and takes an active interest in every 
]niblic-spirited movement directed toward the 
benefit of Berwick and its commercial devel- 
(i|iment. Tt has been a pleasure to him to 
support liljcrally all churches, charitable in- 
stitutions and schools in Berwick, and no 
worthv cause need lack in him a friend in 
need and a friend indeed. 

On ]\Iarch 1, i8(;(), the entire i)lant of The 



Jackson & W'oodin Manufacturing Company 
was. sold to the American Car & Foundry 
Company, an organization with $60,000,000 
capital, practically embracing all the car man- 
ufacturing com])anies in the United States. 
The new company took possession on that 
date, and is now operating the business. 
Fred'k H. Eaton, Esq., nephew of C. R. 
Woodin, and former president of The Jackson 
& Woodin Manufacturing Company, was 
elected vice-president of the new com[)any 
with heaikjuarters at New York City, and 
William H. Woodin was elected district man- 
ager to operate the plant at Berwick. Thus 
the great organization, founded by William 
Hartman Woodin and M. W. Jackson in 
1842, passes out of existence, and C. R. 
Woodin. after an active and successful busi- 
ness career, permanently retires from car man- 
ufacturing. 

The publishers of this work take [pleasure in 
announcing that a portrait of William llart- 
inaii Woodin, the founder of The Jackson & 
Wocdin Manufacturing Company, appears on 
a preceding page, in connection with the 
above sketch. 



'Crr)/7i.T.iAM 1 



11. SLATE, a progressive 
.M'getic business man of 
Bloomsburg. is a member of the 
Hawley-Slate Furniture Company. He was 
born at Williamsport. Pa.. March 13. 1866, 
and is a son of George Slate, now deceased, 
who was the proprietor of a large tannery and 
was also engaged in the manufacture of leath- 
er belts. 

The father of our subject was a self-made 
man and after accumulating a fortune he re- 
tired from active life in 1885. He entered the 
world of rest at the age of seventy-five years. 
Our subject was educated in the public 




■ •f'"'~-rf- f^-tf '•• '- ■ . y:- 



HON JOHN.B. PACKER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



211 



schools of Williamsport. He was a dutiful son 
and remained at home during his younger 
days. Starting out to battle against the tide 
of life, he engaged as a clerk for the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad, and after clerking for four 
years he worked in the engineer's department, 
where he remained three years. In November 
1893 our subject moved to Bloomsburg and 
purchased an interest in the book and station- 
ery store on Main street owned by W. H. 
Brook & Co. He continued in that line of 
business until September, 1897. When the 
North Branch Furniture Company was or- 
ganized he sold his interest in the book-store 
and became assistant manager of that com- 
l)any. 

July I, 1898, the 1 lawley-Slalc I'urniture 
Company was orgamzed and succeeded the 
North Branch Furniture Company. The com- 
pany employs over 100 skilled workmen, who 
turn out fine work, and sbij>s its goods all 
through the Eastern States, it o])erates two 
plants, one 60 by 80 feet and the other 50 
by 100 feet; the machinery is operated by an 
engine of one hundred horse-power, and the 
company also supplies its own power for the 
electric lights by which the buildings are 
lighted. 

Mr. Slate was united in the bonds of mat- 
rimony to Nellie C. Packer, a daughter of 
John B. Packer of Sunbury, Pa. They reside 
in a neat little home at No. ij Fifth street. 




ON. JOHN B. PACKER, deceased, 
whose portrait is shown on the oppo- 
site page, was at his death the 
Nestor of the Northumberland County Bar. 
During the period of forty-seven years in 
which he was actively engaged in practice 
there was scarcely a case of any ]:ironn'nence 
in that section of the state in which he was 



not retained as counsel for one party to the 
suit. His knowledge of law was comprehen- 
sive and, being a man of conmianding appear- 
ance and i)leasing personality, he always cre- 
ated a favorable impression on court and jury. 
As a speaker he was both argumentatixe and 
eloquent in style, and he entered upon a case 
with enthusiasm and energy which could but 
bear good results to the cause of his client. 
He gained renown as a lawyer and financier 
and at his demise he was counsel for several 
prominent railroad corporations, and was also 
president of the First National Bank of Sun- 
bury. It has been well said that no man pos- 
sessed the respect and confidence of the citi- 
zens of Sunbury to a greater extent than did 
John B. Packer. 

Mr. Packer was a son oi Samuel J. and 
Rachel (Black) Packer, and was born at Sun- 
bury, Northumberland County, Pa., March 
21, 1824. He receis'cd a high classical educa- 
tion under the excellent tutorship of Cale Pel- 
ton and Frederick Lebrun in the Sunbury 
Academy, which had been established but a 
short time jM-eviously. In 1839 he was ap- 
pointed a member of a cor])s of engineers em- 
ployed in the sur\ey and construction of pub- 
lic improvements for the state, continuing in 
that capacity until 1842, when he entered 
upon the study of law under the direction of 
Ebenezer Greenough. He made rapid ad- 
vancement, lieing admitted to the bar of 
Northumberland County August 6, 1844, and 
then liegan his practice. He received an ap- 
pointment as deputy attorney general and 
served as such for a period of three years, the 
position giving prominence to his ability. His 
clientage soon grew to large proportions and 
he practiced not only in his native county but 
in various counties in the state and also before 
the Supreme Court. He was one of the or- 
ganizers and a director of the Susquehanna 



212 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Railroad (now known as the Northern Cen- 
tral), and during the remainder of his life 
served as its counsel. He served in a like ca- 
pacity for many years prior to his death for 
the Philadelphia & Erie, the Pennsylvania and 
other railroad companies. He was also con- 
cerned in the sale and reorganization of the 
railroad properties of the Shamokin \'alley & 
Pottsville Railroad. In 1855 he identified 
himself with the Bank of Northumberland, be- 
coming president of the same in 1857, and 
continued as president until his demise, al- 
though in 1864 the bank was merged into the 
I'irst National Bank of Sunbury. He was 
connected with banking interests at Selins- 
grove and Lewisburg. Pa. He was also a very 
large landowner, in fact one of the largest 
landowners in this section of Pennsyh'ania. 

Politics entered largely into Mr. Packer's 
career and he was called upon to fill many 
offices of trust. He was originally a Tariff 
Democrat: he represented his inirty in the 
State Legislature two terms, 1849 and 1850. 
Pie was actively connected with that organi- 
zation until 1856, when he allied himself with 
the newly-organized Republican party, and iu 
1868 was elected to Congress from the Four- 
teenth District of Pennsylvania. He served 
four terms which were marked by the greatest 
activity on his part, being a member of many 
committees, among them being the commit- 
tees on banking and currency; railways and 
canals, of which he was chairman; postofifices 
and post-roads, of which he was also chair- 
man; and the committee on foreign affairs. 
He declined a nomination for a fifth term as 
representative. 

On May 22, 1851, Mr. Packer was joined 
in hymeneal bonds with Mary ]\T. Cameron, a 
daughter of the late William Cameron of 
Lewisburg, and they became the happy par- 
ents of five children: William C. who died 



June 4, 1886, was born May i, 1852, and be- 
came one of the leading young barristers of 
the count}' ; Rachel, who is the wife of I"". K. 
Hill of Sunbury; James C, an attorncy-at-law 
at Sunbury; Mary; and Nellie C. Although 
niucli of his life was given to business affairs, 
Mr. Packer found his greatest pleasure in the 
companionship of his family; he was a true 
husband and a kind father. He had many 
friends, and at his death, on July 7, 1891, Sun- 
bury mourned the loss of a public benefactor. 
Samuel J. Packer, a brother of the late Hon. 
John B. Packer, is president of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Sunbury and also one of the 
first citizens of the borough. He was born 
on June 19, 1831, and is a son of Samuel J. 
and Rachel (Black) Packer. He obtained his 
education in the public schools and in Sun- 
bury Academy, acquiring a good intellectual 
training. Subsequently he read law under the 
preceptorship of his brother, John B. Packer, 
deceased, and was admitted to the bar of 
Northumberland Count}- on April 4, i860. 
Immediately thereafter he entered actixel}' 
upon the practice of his profession and con- 
tinued until his election as cashier of the Bank 
of Northumberland, November 19, 1863. 
When the bank was merged into the First Na- 
tional Bank of Sunbury in 1864 he accepted a 
similar position with the new organization, 
and continued until his brother's death, in 
1891, when he was elected to succeed him as 
president. He continues in that capacity, and 
conducts the aft'airs of the bank with the judg- 
ment and foresight which have always char- 
acterized his business transactions. 



tr RANCIS P. DRINKER, one of the 

I is honored and highly respected citizens 

of Bloomsburg, who is spending his latter 

days in enjoying the labors of his past, was 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



213 



born in Covington township, Luzerne Coun- 
t\, Udw Lackawanna County, Pa., November 
\<K i>S3J. and is a son of Ricliard and Lydia 
L. (Wragg) Drinker, and grandson of Henry 
Drinker. 

Edward Drinker, the great-great-grand- 
father of our subject, was tlie first wliite child 
l)orn where the city of I'liiladelpliia now 
stands. His ancestors were natives of Eng- 
land who came to America about the time of 
\\'illiam Penn. 

Our subject's great-grandfather, Henry 
Drinker, resided in Philadelphia all his life and 
was cashier of the Bank of Nortli America of 
that city. He was united in marriage to Mary 
Howell and they reared a large family of 
children. He passed from thisjife about 
1830. Henry Drinker, Jr., grandfather of our 
suljject, purchased a tract of 25,000 acres of 
land in Luzerne County, which was taken care 
of by his two sons, Henry \V., and Richard, 
the father of our subject. 

Richard Drinker studied law and was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Philadelphia: he and 
his brother Henry received a charter for the 
railroad from Great Bend to the Delaware 
River, now known as the D.. L. &l W. R. R. 
They also built fifty miles of turnpike in Lu- 
zerne County. Richard served over twenty 
years as justice of the peace; he was a large 
landowner and in 1846 bought a farm near 
the town of Bloomsburg, now known as the 
Troup farm. Li 1854 he moved to Scranton, 
Pa., where he remained until his death, which 
occurred in November, 1861. He was wedded 
to Lydia E. Wragg. a daughter of John 
Wragg, a native of England who came to 
America about the time of the French Revo- 
lution: he was captured and was thrown into 
prison for a long time and upon his release 
located in Luzerne County, Pa. Later he 
moved west to Beloit, Wis., where he died at 



the age of ninety years. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Drinker were born the following children: 
Richard W.. Eliza M., Edward R., Francis P., 
Alfretl C, Rebecca H.. Charles N., and Mary 
A. 

Francis P. Drinker was educated in the 
Bloomsliurg Academy. In 1846 he accepted 
a position as bookkeeper and superintendent 
of the Bloomsliurg Iron Company; he re- 
mained in the employ of that company 
until 1888 when he retired from active life. 
In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, 6th Reg., 
Pa. Vol. Inf., for a term of three years. Later 
he was attached to Anderson's Cavalry, and 
at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn., he was 
taken a prisoner by Wheeler's Cavalry; after 
being in their hands a short time, and being 
stripped of his uniform, he was paroled and 
turned loose to do the best he could. He 
was stricken by typhoid fever after being in 
Nashville, Tenn., and was in a hospital for 
some time. He finally reached his regiment 
and was discharged in 1863; he re-enlisted 
in the Emergency Militia, served a short time 
and was discharged in 1863. Mr. Drinker was 
united in the bonds of matrimony to Mary 
Chamberlin, a daughter of John M. Chamber- 
lin of Bloomsburg. Four children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. Drinker, as follows : Martha 
C, who is the wife of E. N. Perrin and they 
have one child. Edwin O.; William W., a 
civil engineer in the employ of the D., L. & W. 
R. R., who resides at Scranton; Margaret, 
wife of W. P. Meigs of Bloomsburg, and they 
are the parents of one child, Margaret; and 
Francis P., Jr., a draftsman in the car-shops 
of Bloomsburg. 

Our subject resides in his beautiful home at 
No. 211 Main street, which he built in 1886. 
In politics he is independent; in 1892 he was 
elected president of the town of Bloomsburg, 
and was re-elected to the same ofifice at the 



214 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



following two elections. Religiously Mr. 
Drinker is a member of the Episcopal Church, 
although he was reared a Quaker. Socially 
he is a nienihcr of the P. O. S. of .\. 




XDREW D. ROBERTSON, a busi- 
ness man who is of high standing 
among his fellow-cilizens of Sha- 
mokin, is a son of Andrew Robertson, a 
sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this 
work, and Phoebe (Barlow) Robertson, and 
was born July 31, 1853, in New Philadelphia, 
Schuylkill County, Pa. 

Up to the age of ten years our subject at- 
tended the j)ublic schools at his birthplace, 
and at that age he started out to earn some- 
thing on his own account, going to work at 
the J'lagle Hill Colliery near Port Carbon, 
which was then conducted by his father and 
'J'homas Beddall. Our subject worked as a 
slate-picker for some time until his father re- 
moved to Pottsville. Young Andrew at- 
tended the public schools in Pottsville for a 
short tiiue and then went to Mill Creek where 
he worked in and about the mines in the 
sunmier and later attended the select schools 
in West Chester until he reached the age of 
se\enteen years. He then returned to Potts- 
ville and eiUered the Washington Iron Works 
in which he worked for three vears, learning 
the machinist's trade under the direction of 
James Wren. After learning his trade Mr. 
Robertson migrated to Mahanoy City where 
he entered the employ of his uncle, Daniel 
Barlow, who ran a wholesale flour and feed 
business, remaining with Mr. Barlow until 
1875 when he removed to Ralston. At Ral- 
stoti he was in tlie employ of his father and 
.\le\ander Fulton, \vho then w'ere mining coal 
under a large contract with the ^Mclntvre 



Coal Company, our subject being bookkeeper 
for the firm. Subsequently our subject re- 
turned to Mahanoy City and engaged in the 
flour and feed business in w hich he was very 
successful and which he contiiuied until April, 
1880. He then reiuoved to E.xcelsior where 
he became assistant superintendent of the Ex- 
celsior Colliery, of which his father, Andrew- 
Robertson, was part owner and superintend- 
ent. He sub.sequently took an interest in the 
company and continued as its assistant su- 
perintendent. He is also assistant superin- 
tendent of the Corbin Colliery which has long 
been operated in comiection \\\{h the E.xcel- 
sior Collierv. 

In 1882 Mr. Kol)ertson purchased the in- 
terest of Nathan J. Robertson, now deceased, 
who owned a flour mill in Sliamokin and 
conducted the business successfully for about 
a year when the firm became Robertson & 
Parnde}-. This firm occupied the present mill 
]M-operty, a three-story brick structure, 40 by 
75 feet, which was erected by our subject's 
father. The firm also has a grain ele\ator in 
the rear of the flour mill which is 100 by 3'') 
feet. The capacity of the mill is 100 barre's 
of flour per day. In 1887 the firm became 
Robertson, Parmley & Co., and a year later 
l)ecame Robertson & Osier as it is to-day. 
Mr. Parmley retiring. 

An acti\e man of great energy, our suljject 
has de\'oted nnich of his time and taleiUs to 
local enterprises to which his business ability 
and energetic direction have been of great 
benefit. Mr. Robertson is secretary and treas- 
urer of the Elkhorn Coal & Coke Comiiany 
of Mayberry. ^^'. \'a., of which he was one 
of the incorporators, and has held those of- 
fices since the organization of tlie company. 
I The company operates luines in the famous 
Plat Top or Pocahontas region of ^^'^est Vir- 
ginia, whicn were opened in 1888. The 




MATTHIAS CR0N1NC;KR. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



217 



company was one of the first operators to ship 
coal througli tlie Mill Creek Tunnel. The 
Pocahontas coal is known as the best steam- 
I)ro(lucing coal mined and it is used by the 
Cramps, the noted shipbuilders, on all vessels 
\.hich are being tested or are tried for speed. 
( )ur subject is a director of the Shamokin 
Coal & Coke Co. ; a stockholder in the 
Booth-Bowen Coal & Coke Co. of West Vw- 
ginia; vice-president of the Shamokin Pow- 
der Co. ; a stockholder in the Edison Electric 
Illuminating Co. of Shamokin; and a stock- 
holder in and vice-president of the First Na- 
tional I'.ank of Shamokin. 

.Mr. Robertson is a trustee of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Shamokin of which 
he is an active member. 

In May, 1882, Mr. Robertson took as his 
life-partner Clara A. HetYner, daughter of 
Charles Heffner of Pottsville, Pa., and to them 
have been born two children: Chester Kings- 
ley, who is at home; and ]\Iary Margaret, de- 
ceased. 



m 



.VTTHIAS CRONINGER, who is 
recognized and greatly admired by 
his fellow-citizens- as one of the 
most enterprising men in Shamokin, is a son 
of Jacob and Magdalena (Kretz) Croninger. 
and was born January 18, 1846, in Germany. 
With a common school education Mr. Cronin- 
ger started out to win success and fortune, 
beginning his active career at an early age as 
a slatepicker in a coal-breaker, then working 
as a miner of coal, and by assiduous effort and 
perseverance he worked to the top and to-day 
is one of Shamokin's most prosperous and en- 
ergetic leaders in business. 

The father of our subject, Jacob Croninger, 
was a native of Germany, who came to the 
United States when a voung man, located at 



Tremont, Schuylkill County, and subsequent- , 

ly resided at Trevorton, Xorthumberland 
County. He responded promptly to the call 
for troops soon after the breaking out of the 
Rebellion and was killed at Reams Station, 
\'a. His family subsequently moved to the ^ 
vicinity of Shamokin, and his mother is a resi- 
dent of that town. 

After at'tending the public schools our suIj- 
ject, w hen quite young in years, obtained em- 
ployment as a slatepicker and later as a miner, 
working in the mines in the vicinity of Sha- 
mokin for about si.xteen years. Determinetl 
to l)e something more than a miner, Mr. Cro- 
ninger abandoned the work beneath the hills 
and learned the trade of butchering, and 
eventually went into business on his own ac- 
count as a butcher. Then he again followed 
the bent of his ambition and became a drover, 
buying cattle and shipping them to the East- 
ern markets, continuing as a l:)uyer and sel'er 
of cattle for about thirteen years. Tn 1892 our 
subject resumed business as a butcher and re- 
established his individual market, which has 
so grown in proportions and trade that it is 
now one of the largest and leading commer- 
cial interests of Shamokin. In 1893 Mr. Cro- 
ninger associated himself with the Shamokin 
Packing Company, and the firm now consists 
of Holden Chester and our subject, who man- 
ages the live-stock branch of the immense 
business. It is estimated that the business of 
the company averages about $1,000 ])er day. 
In addition to looking after his department of 
the packing concern, our subject also con- 
ducts his personal business, which occupies 
an extensive plant on \\'est \\'alnut street, 
consisting of a slaughter-house, shop and a 
modern equipment with which is manufac- 
tured artificial ice. 

Our subject is a Democrat and has been 
active in the interests of the party in whose 



218 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



principles he is an enthusiastic believer. His 
]i()])ularity was forcibly demonstrated in 1884 
when he was the nominee of his party for 
county treasurer and was defeated by a ma- 
jority of 300 votes. Mr. Croninger frequently 
has served as delegate to local conventions 
and he has been overseer of the poor ami a 
councilman. He is a member of Shamokin 
Lodge, No. ()64, I. O. (). F., and als'o is prom- 
inent as a member of the local tribe of the 
Improved Order of Red Men and of the 
Knights of the Mystic Chain. 

Twice has our subject entered the matri- 
monial relation. Tie first was united to Aman- 
da Lealimy, who bore liim five children, one 
dying when voung. The surviving children 
are: hrcderick, who is with his father, and 
three daughters, each happil_\- married and re- 
siding in Shamokin, as follows : Jennie, the 
wife of Lewis Erieg; Annie, wife of Roy 
Bixler; and Sadie, wife of Jesse Bird. Mr. 
Croninger's second marriage was to Mrs. 
Mary Rausch, nee Mary Herrold, and to them 
have been born two children, Rosa and Jesse. 

Mr. Croninger's portrait, executed from a 
recent photograph, taken expressly for this 
work, appears on a preceding page. 



TTN HARLES E. HAZEN is section fore- 

l J| man on the Eagles Mere Railroad 
^•— ^-^ and performs his work in such 
manner as to win the respect and confidence 
of his superior ofificers. Our subject is truly 
one of the self-made men of the village of 
Sonestown, and his worldly possessions are 
the result of his own perseverance and untir- 
ing energy. He was born near his present 
home in Sullivan County, January 25, 1868, 
and is a son of William C. and Lydia (Whit- 
aker) Hazen, a grandson of John F. Hazen, 
and a great-grandson of Thomas Hazen. 



John F. Hazen was a millwright by trade 
in Davidson township, Sullivan County, and 
was the founder of this well-known family in 
the county. He was the father of the follow- 
ing children: Jacob A.; George; \\'illiam 
C, the father of our subject; Charles; Han- 
nah; Lncinda: and Marv Ann. John V. 
Hazen learned the trade of a mill-wright and 
carpenter of his father and he erected nearly 
all the mills in the vicinity at that time, and 
many of them are still in operation. He spent 
his latter days at Hughesville, I'a., and died 
there at an advanced age. He was the pro- 
genitor of nine children, namely: Elizabeth; 
Catherine; Leah; Sally; Jane .\nn; William 
C. ; John N.; and George and James, de- 
ceased. 

William C. Hazen is a retired and much re- 
spected citizen of Sonestown and has pursued 
various vocations throughout his active days, 
and was born at Hughesville, March 16, 1838. 
He was united in marriage with Sarah Whit- 
aker, a daughter of William and Lydia (Little) 
Whitaker; her father was a large land-owner 
of Sullivan County and was a farmer; his farm 
is now the property of .V. T. Armstrong. A 
family of eight children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hazen,' namely: George B., who mar- 
ried Minnie Weed by whom he reared a family 
of five children : Stella Belle, who is the wife 
of Thomas Houseknecht, and five children 
blessed their home. Pearl, Blanche. Cressie, 
.\my, and Emnicns; Charles and Thomas, de- 
ceased; John l'"raid<lin: William B.; Walter; 
and Harry. 

Charles E. Hazen attended the public 
schools of his nati\e town and his remaining 
boyhood days were spent in assisting his 
father about the homestead thus acquiring a 
good education in the art of farming. Leav- 
ing home after attaining manhood he entered 
the eniidoy of the \\'. & N. B. R. R. as fore- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



219 



man of tliis section of tlie railroad and occu- 
pied that position some three months, but was 
in the road's employ eight years, when in 
July, 1898, he accepted a like position on the 
Eagles Mere Railroad. Our subject com- 
mands the respect 1)oth of the men of whom 
he has charge and of the citizens of the com- 
munity who recognize him as a man of sterl- 
ing worth. He purchased the Robert \\'hit- 
aker propert}-, which consists of a good house 
and one acre of land, and has remocle'etl the 
house into a handsome home. 

Mr. Hazen was joined in hymeneal bonds to 
Carrie B. Phillips, a daughter of Griffin Phil- 
lips, a prominent farmer of Davidson town- 
ship, and to this happv union one son has l)een 
born, Kenneth George, born March 28. 1898. 
Fraternally Mr. Hazen is a member and past 
president of the P. O. S. of .\.: religiously he 
and his wife are prominent nieml)ers of the 
Methodist Church. Politically our subject is 
an unwavering Democrat and although he 
takes an active part in local politics he has 
never sought a public office, l)ut in i8()7 he 
served as supervisor. 




|.\ T T H E W KEAR WATKIXS. 
cashier of the First National Bank of 
Blount Carmel, is a man of much 
business ability and energy, ever ready to give 
encouragement and his best et+orts to an en- 
terprise which has for its purpose the general 
advancement of the town which he adopted 
as his home and in which he is recognized as 
an energetic and public-spirited leader. Few 
enterprises have lieen inaugurated in Mount 
Carmel which have not had the benefit of Mr. 
\\'atkins' rare business ability and have not 
profited by his influence and guidance. 

Our subject is a son of James and Marv A. 



(Kear) Watkins, natives of Wales, and was 
born June 11, 185 1, in Minersville, Schulykill 
County, Pa., soon after the emigration of 
his parents from Wales to this country. His 
ancestors on the paternal side may be traced 
back to Welsh origin and those on the mater- 
nal side to English root. The father of our 
subject was bom in South Wales in 1793 and 
was reared in that country. He came to the 
United States in 1851 and located in Miners- 
ville, Pa., where he resided until his death in 
1861. The grandfather of Mr. Watkins on 
the maternal side^ Matthew Kear, was a native 
of England, where he remained during his life- 
time. The Kear family were among the early 
settlers in Miners\ille, where they were coal 
operators. James and Mary Watkins reared 
five children, as follows: Ann; Mrs. Robert 
Wilson; William; Lizzie; and Matthew Kear, 
the subject of our sketch. 

After attending the public schools of Mi- 
nersville, our subject, at the age of fourteen 
years, started out to earn a li\ing and to make 
his way through the world. He began as a 
messenger boy for the Philadelphia & Read- 
ing Railroad, and while working in that ca- 
pacity for a year he studied hard and a'so 
learned to operate and rapidly acquired the 
art of telegraphy. He was appointed oper- 
ator at the Philadelphia & Reading station at 
Ashland and subsetiuenlly, in 1871, was trans- 
ferred to Mount Carmel as station and ticket 
agent of the railroad, which position he suc- 
cessfully and satisfactorily filled for five years. 
In 1875 l^c engaged in l)usiness as a stationer, 
dealing also in books, news]iapers, etc.. 
and doing a good business, in which he con- 
tinued until November, 1878. Determined to 
remain active and to make headway, ^Ir. Wat- 
kins, in 1879, added to his business as a sta- 
tioner that of newspaper publisher, purchasing 
the Blount Carmel Progress, which was 



220 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



founded in December, 1877, by Owen Fow- 
ler, and was the pioneer news])aper of Mnunt 
Carmel I)orougli. He altered the name of the 
journal, renaming it the Mount Carmel Xews, 
and also enlarging it. In 1881 the jjaper was 
further enlarged and E. E. White assumed the 
editorship, thus relie\ing ATr. Watkins of 
many duties to which he scarcely could give 
the attention he desired because of the in- 
crease in his original business as well as the 
gratifying jjrosjierity of his venture as a news- 
l>aper ])ublisher. In 1882 Mr. Watkins pur- 
chased the entire i)lant nf the (iloucester City 
Tribune of Gloucester, X. J., and remo\ed it 
to Mount Carmel, thus materially increasing 
his facilities and demonstrating his enterprise. 
Mr. \\'hite bought an interest in the jiaper in 
1883, and for four years the News was ])ub- 
lished by Watkins & White. In 1887 Mr. 
Watkins retired from the lirni, his jjlacc l)eing 
taken by 1\. J. Wilson, who was associated in 
the publication of the News with Prof. \\' hite 
for some time, and finally l)ought the business. 
\\liich he yet controls. Air. Watkins con- 
ducted his stationery business until 1889, 
when he sold it and took an active part in or- 
ganizing the First National Bank of Mount 
Carmel, which o])ened its doors for business 
on April 8, 1889, with a capital of $50,000 and 
seventy-four stockholders, embracing the 
principal business men of the borough. Mr. 
Watkins was elected cashier of the bank and 
he has ever since occupied the position, so 
ably managing the affairs of the institution 
that the directors have insisted that he con- 
tinue to preside over the very important du- 
ties which fall to him as the active executive 
of the bank. Upon its organization the offi- 
cers of the bank were as follows: President, 
E. C. Tier; vice-iiresident, John T. B. Gould; 
cashier, AI. K. Watkins, our subject; direc- 
tors, William .\. Phillips, George W. Davis, 



John T. B. Gould, M. K. Watkins, E. C. Tier, 
Bernard Harvey, S. E. Bergstresser, L. W. 
Johnson, E, C. Herl), A\'illiam AIcFee, Sr., 
and William 11. Meaton. The present offi- 
cers of the bank are: President, E. C. Tier; 
vice-president, George W. Davis; cashier, M. 
K. Watkins; directors, E. C. Tier, M. K. 
Watkins, George W. Davis, S. E. Bergstres- 
ser. William AIcFee, Sr., William Kiefer. J. H. 
Smith and II. T. John. 

Aiiiunt Carmel is notable as the lirst town 
in the world to have electricity as artificial 
light. This was brought about b\- the or- 
ganization of the Edison Electric Illuminating 
Company, in the formation of u hich Air. W'M- 
kins was \ery acti\e. The company was in- 
corporated November 17, 1883, with a capital 
of $16,000. In 1890 the company was reor- 
ganized and its capital increased to $23,000, 
and Air. Watkins, who was its secretary ujion 
its organization, was elected president. Un- 
der his vigorous management the plant was 
removed to its present site and its capacity 
considerably increased within a brief period. 
Originally the plant had a cajiacity of 500 
lights, which has been constantly increased 
until the present capacity is something over 
2,500 lights. Our subject was the first secre- 
tary of the Alount Carmel Water Company, 
which also was incorporated on the same day 
as the Mlectric lllumin.ating Company, and he 
is now its treasurer. He was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Citizens' Building & Loan 
.Association, of which he has been secretary 
since its formation, a period of about nineteen 
years. 

Religiously, our subject is an attendant of 
the Alethodist Episcopal Church of Alount 
Carmel, of which he is a trustee. Politically 
Air. Watkins is a Republican and has served 
as a meml)er of the Ijoard of school directors 
and he was president of the borough council 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



221 



for tliree years. He is an innueiUial Repub- 
lican and always takes an active part in fur- 
thering the interests of his party and his 
friends. Our subject is a member of .\shland 
Lodge, No. 294, F. & A. A I., of the Chapter, 
R. A. M.; a Knight Templar; a member of 
Mount Carmel Lodge. No. 630, L O. O. F., 
and of the Royal Arcanum. 

Twice has Mr. Watkins entered the mar- 
riage relation. He was first united to Sarah 
J., daughter of the late Richard Curnow, a 
pioneer coal operator of Mount Carmel. Four 
children were the fruit of the union : James 
Marshall; Shirley S. ; Matthew K.; and Rich- 
ard Vi\ian. Mrs. Watkins was a most lovable 
woman, was prominent in the M. F. Church 
of Mount Carmel, and was beloved for her 
many excellent qualities of mind and heart by 
all who knew her. She died December 27, 
1889. As his second wife Mr. Watkins mar- 
ried Helen M. White of Baltimore, Md., and 
to them has been born one child, Genevieve 
Elizabeth. 

Mr. Watkins is an extensive owner of real 
estate. He is the largest stockholder in the 
electric light and other corporations with 
which he is connected. 



AIMES P. MILLER, superintendent of 
the Trust Company Tannery at Mun- 
cy \^alley, Sullivan County, was born 
in Bradford County, Pa., in 1847. He is a 
son of William and Huldah (Wells) Miller 
who lived in Bradford County, Pa. 

William Miller, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was a progressive and well-to-do farm- 
er, and James P. was given the advantages of 
the public schools at New\ille, Cumberland 
County. Being naturally a studious boy. by 
diligent application to his studies he built a 
good foundation for the busy life which has 
since marked his progress. 



Upon completing the course of studies pre- 
scribed at the Newville schools he engaged in 
teaching, which calling he zealously followed 
for .si.x years. He then engaged in clerking at 
Williams]Kirl and Chamouni, after which he 
located in Muncy \'alley to take up the duties 
of the important position of superintendent of 
the L. A. Robinson tannery at that place. 
This manufacturing enterprise was organized 
by L. R. Bump who was succeeded by L. A. 
Robinson of Middle X'alley, N. Y.. in i87r), 
who in turn sold the l)usiness to D. T. 
Stephens & Son in 1877; later the U. S. 
Leather Company or Union Tanning Com- 
pany, as the firm was known at different pe- 
riods, assumed control, and the Inisiness is di- 
rected now by the Trust Company estate. 

The tannery is known as the Muncy Valley 
Tannery all over the state and is one of the 
largest of its kind in this section, employing 
upwards of one hundred men and using twen- 
ty-one leaches per w'eek with ten tons of bark 
to the leach. Mr. Miller's duties include the 
keeping of the books and the general super- 
vision of the men and teams employed and 
the many hundred tons of bark that are used 
in tanning the yearly output of leather. 

So well has our subject performed his va- 
rious duties that he has kept his po.sition 
through all the changes which have taken 
place, giving entire satisfaction to the various 
owners and employees; thus the merit of his 
work has secured for him his position and is 
the most powerful factor in helping him to 
maintain it. 

Our subject was joined in the holy bonds 
of wedlock to Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of 
Perry O. Johnson of Sullivan County, Pa. 
Eight children blessed this union, as follows: 
Maud; Myrtle; Ernest; Blanche; Ralph; 
Jamie; and Donald. Thrice lias the Grim 
Messenger entered our subject's home and 



222 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



robl)ed it of a cherished jewel. The summons 
came to Mabel wlien ten years old; then to 
Ernest, aged five: and last, to Ralph at the 
age of four. 

Politically our subject is an Independent 
Democrat. He is postmaster, which position 
he has held since Cleveland's first administra- 
tion. He is a devout Christian and worships 
in the M. E. Church in which he is steward. 



M 



R. JOHN W. BEALOR, a successful 
practitioner of Shamokin, Coal town- 
ship, who has reached the pinnacle of 
fame in his i)rofession, is the distinguished 
sul)ject of this personal history. He was born 
March 19, 1854, in Perry County, Pa., and is 
a son of Benjamin F. and Elizabeth (Weibley) 
Bealor, and grandson of John Bealor of Berks 
County, whose sole vocation was farming, and 
who removed to Perry County with his father, 
Mark Bealor, great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject. 

Mark Bealor was formerly a resident of 
Germany, but innnigrated to America and lo- 
cated ill Berks Countv, afterward in Perry 
County, where he spent the remainder of his 
life in agricultural pursuits. He is credited 
with having rendered valuable service to our 
country in the Mexican War. 

Benjamin F. Bealor, father of our subject, 
was born in Perry County, Pa., and the great- 
er part of his life was spent in pursuing the 
same occupation followed by his father and 
grandfather before him, but his health failed 
and caused him to (|uit farming and remove 
to Virginia in the hope of benefiting his health 
by the change. This change, however, did 
not restore his health, and later on he returne:l 
to Philadelphia, where he lived a retired life 
until the autunm of 1897, when he laid down 
the l)urden of life and entered into eternal rest. 
He was a firm believer in the doctrines of the 



Reformed Church and took an active interest 
in all church affairs, serving as a deacon of the 
church for a number of years. He advocated 
the principles of Democracy and took afi act- 
\\e part in local ])olitics; was deeply interested 
in all work of his ])arty, and served as overseer 
of the poor for two terms. 

Our subject is one of a family of twelve 
children, seven girls and five boys; he was 
educated in the public schools and in the 
Bloomfield Academ\-, from which he grad- 
uated in 1873. He then began the study of 
medicine under G. A. Richardson, as precep- 
tor, in Newport, Perry County, after which he 
entered the College of Physicians and Sur- 
geons at Baltimore, from which he graduated 
with high honors in 1876, and at once ])r()- 
ceeded to Elliottsburg, Perry County, where 
he opened an ofifice and entered into the prac- 
tice of his profession. He soon was enjoying 
a !ucrati\e practice, which he continued for 
four years, when he removed to Shamokin, 
where he is engaged in active and successful 
practice. In connection with his ofiice he 
owns a large drug-store and handles not only 
his own drugs, but sells |)ure drugs to the 
|)ublic and fills prescriptions for other less for- 
tunate phxsicians. His years of medicinal and 
surgical experience have made him cool, col- 
lected and practical in treating critical cases, 
and have given him an envialjle record as one 
of the leading physicians of the town. 

Dr. Bealor was united in marriage with 
Mary C. Albert and six children have been 
added to their home, namely: Benjamin; 
Florence E.; Quilla E.; Henry Mark; Helen 
Mary; and John Watt, who died when only 
two years old. Our subject is a valued mem- 
ber of the Nortlunnberland Medical Society; 
also belongs to Washington Camp, No. 178, 
P. O. S. of America, and to the Benevolent 
and Protective Order of Elks. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



223 




ACOB H. REED, justice of the peace 
in Mount Carmel and one of its best 
known and most jjopular residents, is 
a member of one of the pioneer famihes of 
Eastern Pennsylvania. He is a son of John 
B. and Catharine (De Freighn) Reed, and was 
born June 21, 1857, in St. Clair, Schuylkill 
County, Pa. 

The grandfather of our subject, Jacob Reed, 
was a son of Thomas Reed, a native of Schuyl- 
kill County, but early removed to Pottsville, 
being among the first settlers in that town. 
He was a Whig politically, and soon after 
settling in Pottsville was electetl a justice of 
the peace. He was twice re-elected and, hav- 
ing served three terms, was entitled according 
to the law which then prevailed to the of^ce 
for liis lifetime. He held the ofifice for about 
fifty-five years, performing the duties thereof 
up to within ten days of his death. When he 
located at Pottsville the hamlet was in the 
midst of wild country, and family tradition 
has handed down a very interesting story of 
an encounter, which Jacob had with a ])anther. 
in which he narrowly escaped being killed. 
The grandfather took an active part in the 
construction of the Schuylkill Canal, and for 
a number of years ran a line of boats on it. 
His wife was Rebecca Bittle, and to them 
were born these children : Rebecca, who mar- 
ried Jacob Bittle. a widower, now living in 
Ashland at the age of about eighty years; 
Mary Ann, who was the wife of Quill Marsh, 
now deceased, and who now resides in North- 
ampton County; Morgan, deceased, who was 
a justice of the peace in Pottsville for several 
years; George H., who was a breaker con- 
tractor and who died when a comparatively 
young man; and Tillie, deceased. Jacob Ree 1 
spent the latter part of his life in Wi'.liamsport, 
Pa., where he served as alderman for twentv- 



five years, and was quite prominent in poli- 
tics and business. 

John B. Reed, father of the subject of this 
sketch, was a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Bit- 
tle) Reed, and was born in what is now Mi- 
nersviile, Schuylkill County, April 16, 1819. 
He was reared and educated in his native 
county and went into the mines when ([uite 
young and followed mining in its various 
branches for forty years as miner and superin- 
tendent of collieries. He resided at St. C'air, 
Schuylkill County, for fifteen years, during 
ten of which he was justice of the peace. On 
the breaking out of the Rebellion IMr. Ree;! 
enlisted, in July, 1861, in Company A, 7th 
Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was commissioned 
by Gov. Curtin as quartermaster, ranking as 
lieutenant. He had served eighteen months 
in that capacity when he was informed by a 
superior officer that no such rank in the army 
discipline existed and that, in reality, he had 
no official title. Mr. Reed returned to his 
home, and after a few days' rest returned to 
his troop with a bona fide commission as regi- 
mental ciuartenuaster, acting in that capacity 
until the troop re-enlisted in 1864, when he 
was detailed as chief clerk in the quartermas- 
ter-general's department. Mr. Reed was cap- 
tured by the Rebels and was held a prisoner 
for twenty days in the celebrated Anderson- 
ville Prison, escaping from it and returning 
to his headquarters. He was never wounded, 
but his nose was broken by a sabre cut. He 
was a thorough business man and excellent 
penman and during his service in the army 
was detailed much of the time to important 
clerical work. He was clerk in the commis- 
sary department under Gen. Thomas of Ohio, 
and after the close of the great struggle re- 
mained with that officer for a year at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., winding up the accounts of the 
department. During the war, vouchers re- 



224 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ceived l^y Thomas H. Rickert, a quartermaster 
now residing at Pottsville, Pa., which showed 
tliat $25,000 had l^een (Hsljursed properly, 
wore c;ii)tured by the enemy. The loss was of 
\ital importance, as subsequently developed, 
for twenty-five years after the war ended the 
government sought to recover the sum from 
Mr. Kickcrt, alleging that no vouchers existed 
showing that he had disbursed the money. 
I'"(irtunately Mr. Reed was alive and Mr. Rick- 
ert was able to connniniicatc with him. Mr. 
Uted was a witness in behalf of Mr. Rickert 
and be testified to liaxing made out the re- 
liiirts (if the disbursing of the large sum and 
forwarded them to the secretarv of war. thus 
sul)stantiating the claims of his former su- 
|)erior officer. I'pon the testimonv of Mr. 
Reed, the case was dismissed bv the judge be- 
fore wboni it was heard without being gi\'en 
to the jury. 

Upon his discharge from the army, in Sep- 
tember, iS()5. and after his ser\ice in Nash- 
ville, Tenn., Mr. Reed returned to Mount Car- 
mel and resumed mining operations. He was 
su])erintendent at se\'eral mines in the vicinity 
of .Mount Carmcl. In iSji) be remo\ed to Ma- 
hanoy City, where he was actively engaged 
as mine superintendent for over three years. 
1 le then returned io Mount Carmel. where he 
continued mining operations imtil his death, 
on Feb. 18, 1890. In politics Mr. Reed was 
a l^epublican. He was a candidate for clerk 
of the quarter sessions at Schuylkill carlv in 
the 50's and was defeated by but one vote. 
He served as a justice of the peace in Mount 
Carmel at different periods, about twenty 
years in all. Tie was the first secretarv of 
.Mount Carmel Lodge No. ;^/i^. F. & A. M.. 
and was once vice-president of the supreme 
body of the P. O. S. of A. of this state. He was 
an ardent member of the Methodist Church. 
Afr. Reed was the first free-school teacher in 



Schuylkill County, and second burgess of 
Mount Carmel. The father of our subject was 
twice married. His first wife was Catharine 
l)e b'reighn, who bore him eight children, as 
follows: luuma I'^iiza, who is Mrs. David 
Huffman of Shamokin, Pa.; Sarah Jane, un- 
married; Mary, wife of John Stahl of Phila- 
delphia; George H., who died in inf.mcy; 
Rebecca E., the wife of William Curnow of 
Mount Carmel. and who survives him; Carrie, 
deceased, who was the wife of \\'illiam Cniple- 
by; John I-ldgar, general manager for Collins 
(Jt Co., railroad contractors; and Kate Irene, 
who is Mrs. H. P. Helwig and resides in ;\lex- 
andria, \'a. His second wife, I'Lleanor I"". 
( reague) .\dams, survives him. 

The subject of this review. Jacol) II. Keed, 
was educated in the ])ublic schools of Mount 
Carmel. .\t the age of eleven vears he went 
to wx)rk as a slate])icker at a mine with which 
his father was connectetl, working steadily ex- 
cept in winter, when he pursued his studies 
in school. When nineteen years old Jacob de- 
termined to seek his fortime and he worked 
in the mines for some time. Then he secured 
a position w ith the .\dams Ex])ress Company, 
which he held for about nine years. In 1896 
he was elected justice of the peace, which po- 
sition he now fills with ability and dignity. 
In politics he is a Re])ul)lican and has been 
variously honored by his party. He has fre- 
cpiently been a delegate to county conven- 
tions, has served two terms as director of the 
poor and has held other minor offices. 

Mr. Reed is prominent in the Masonic fra- 
ternity, being a leading member of Mount 
Carmel Lodge, No. 378, F. & A. M. He also is 
a member of Washington Camp No. iiTi, P. 
O. S. of .\., of Mount Carmel. 

On June 21, 1889, our subject married 
Mary E. \\'ightnian, daughter of Charles 
Wigbtm.an of Mount Carmel. She was for 




WILLIAM H. R. SMINK. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



227 



several years a teaclier in the public schools of 
Mount Carmcl. Their children are: Edith, 
Estelle, Miriain, John Eds4ar, and Charles \\'., 
Katharine, a younger child, having died in 
infancy. 



W^: 



[LLIAM H. R. SMINK, a popular 
and respected citizen of Shamokin, 
Pa., a portrait of whom is shown on 
the preceding page, has the distinction of be- 
ing proprietor of the largest drug-store in this 
state, and his retail trade is said to be among 
the largest of its character in Pennsylvania. 
Our subject is a son of Daniel C. and Eva 
Ann (Kaseman) Smink, and was born April 
29, 1852, in Shamokin township, near what is 
known as Blue Church. Air. .Smink's career 
strikingly illustrates the old belief that perse- 
verance, energy and careful attention to the 
"little things" win" success despite most for- 
midable obstacles. 

The grandfather of oiu^ subject on the pa- 
ternal side, Jacob Smink, settled about 1830 
in the vicinity of Shamokin or Mahanoy town- 
ship. He built many of the saw-mills which 
were erected and operated in the earlv davs 
when the wilds were slowly but surely cleared 
for the use of the white settlers. 

Daniel C. Smink, father of the subject of 
this review, was born in Xorthumberland 
County, in one of the saw-mills which his 
father had built. He was reared in the envi- 
rons of Shamokin. in the woods, and followed 
carpentry and blacksmithing for many years. 
He has been for the past forty-five years a resi- 
dent of Shamokin, where he is a dealer in 
paints and wall-paper. Mr. Smink was origi- 
nally a \\'hig and subsequently allied himself 
with the Republican party. He served one 
term as a justice of the peace. The mother of 
our subject is a granddaughter of Joseph 



Kaseman. a native of Germany, who came to 
this country when eighteen or nineteen years 
of age. He located near Blue Church and 
passed his days on a farm. He passed to his 
final rest in 1866, having reached the rare age 
of 107 years. 

Our subject, W. H. R. Smink. is one of four 
children, two of whom, Rosalie and Elizabeth, 
are dead, and the fourth child, Albert H., is a 
physician in Shamokin. When eight years old 
the subject of this sketch went into a coal- 
breaker as a slatepicker. At the age of eleven 
years he entered the office of the Shamokin 
Herald to learn the printer's trade, working 
in the newspaper office until April 14, 1865, 
when President Lincoln was assassinated, 
w hen he was thrown out of work by the clos- 
ing of the office. After working at odd joI)s 
for some time young Smink went into the 
general store of R_\er Bros. & Company as a 
cellar-boy. He worked for the firm five years, 
during the final two years of his service acting 
as bookkeeper, which was quite an achieve- 
ment for one so young, as the store was a 
large one and the principal business house 
in the town. For two years William slept in 
the store, and, being fond of reading, he 
sought to educate himself by so doing at night 
after he had finished his labors of the day. His 
health failed and he was compelled to give up 
his position. Subseciuently, with his father, 
he put up the first planing-mill in Shamokin 
and they operated it for a year, when it was 
burned, wiping out the entire capital possessed 
by father and son. Compelled again to seek 
employment, Mr. Smink went to Chambers- 
burg, Pa., where for a year he conducted a 
toy and confectionery store. He then returned 
to Shamokin and entered the dry goods store 
of Leader, Muir & Company, after trying the 
toy and candy business for a short time, and 
for two ^•ears he was the onlv clerk in the em- 



228 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ploy of the firm. In 1877, on the breaking out 
of tlie great strike of railroad men which ex- 
tended to ten slates, including Pennsylvania, 
Mr. Smink went to Uerks County and took 
charge of a general store in Seisholtzville 
owned by his father-in-law, Henry Guiterman. 
He had entire charge of his father-in-law's 
books, as Mr. Guiterman was principally oc- 
cupied in looking after iron ore mines in 
which he was interested. After running the 
store for six years, upon the death of Mr. 
Guiterman, our subject was appointed super- 
intendent of the iron ore mines, which posi- 
tion he filled to the satisfaction of the execu- 
tors of the estate for three years. He then 
returned to Shamokin in i8<S3, having studied 
medicine and pharmacy with Dr. Roth of 
Seisholtzville, and established a drug-store. 
He began business as a druggist in a room 
9 by 14 feet at the corner of Market and 
Chestnut streets, and nine months later re- 
moved to North Market street, where he oc- 
cupied a store 16 by 28 feet, which has been 
replaced by his present large and elegant place 
of business. In January, 1896, Mr. Smink 
took into partnership his son. Henry G., and 
the business is now conducted under the firm 
name, W. H. R. Smink & Son. 

Twice IMr. Smink has entered the marital 
relation. His first marriage was to Annie L., 
daughter of Henry Guiterman of Port Carbon, 
I'a., and to them were born three children: 
Hem-y G., Eva K., and Annie L. Mrs. Smink 
died September 8, 1879. Mrs. Smink's second 
marriage was on December 24, 18S0, to Ella, 
daughter of Charles Knap])enhcrger of Allen- 
town, Pa., and to them ha\e been born three 
children: Rosalie; Marion, deceased; and 
Daniel. 

Our subject always has been an active Re- 
publican. Eor two years he served as coun- 
cilman from the Third Ward, 1891-92, and in 



1893 he was elected burgess for a one-year 
term. The State Assembly then made the term 
of the office three years and Mr. Smink was 
again elected and served the term, giving four 
years of etiticient and beneficial labor to his 
fellow-citizens. During his service as bur- 
gess Mr. Smink incessantly worked to secure 
the paving of streets and he was rewarded by 
the i)utting down of three blocks of asphalt 
pavement. The street improvement urged ami 
started by him has been continued by succeed- 
ing administrations. He also was instru- 
mental in bringing about the vote upon the 
proposition to organize the borough into a 
city; he also labored zealously to secure pro])- 
er sewerage facilities and the result was that 
several miles of sewers were laid in the bor- 
ough. 

Our subject is a member of the American 
Pharmaceutical Association, also of the Penn- 
sylxania Pharmaceutical Association. He is 
a Mason of high rank, being a member of 
Shamokin Lodge No. 255, F. & .\. M.; of 
Shamokin Chapter No. 264, R. .\. M.: Mount 
Moriah Council No. 10, R. S. Ex. and S. M.; 
and Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S. 321I De- 
gree, A. A. S. R. Since 1869 he has been a 
member of Camp No. 30, P. O. S. of A., and 
he also is a member of the Knights of the 
Mystic Chain. He was one of the organizers 
of the \\'est End Fire Company and has been 
its treasurer since its organization. He also 
was a director of the West End P.uilding & 
I^oan Association for many years. Mr. Smink 
is a member of St. John's Reformed Church 
of Shamokin. 



^1 EUBEN S. AUCKER, who has been 
for thirty-four years a resident of Sha- 
mokin, Northumberland County, 
Pa., and is one of the county's most pro- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



229 



gressive and wealtliy citizens, comes of one 
of the pioneer families of Snyder County, this 
state. He is a son of Emanuel and Hannah 
(Snyder) Aucker, and was born July 6, 1837, 
in what formerly was Union County and now 
IS Snyder County. By hard work, energy, en- 
terprise and thrift Mr. Aucker built up a busi- 
ness which is one of the best in this county, 
ami he also has been a heavy dealer in real 
estate and has carefully managed all his Inisi- 
ness interests. 

Emanuel Aucker, father of the subject of 
this review, was born near Richfield, Pa., in 
1805 and was reared there. He removed to 
Selinsgrove, Snyder County, in 1839 and re- 
sided there until his demise in 1892. His act- 
ive life was spent in farming and in lumber- 
ing, he being active in the early development 
of the lumber industry in his native county. 
Politically Mr. Aucker was a Democrat and 
he was a firm belie\'er in the ^irinciples of his 
party, but he never sought or held ofifice. Re- 
ligiously he was an adherent of the Mennonite 
faith, and in his character and his career were 
strongly marked the sturdy, uncompromising 
traits of the believers in that faith. He was 
a man of strictest moral habits, honestv and 
conduct, was temperate, and proudl\- ileclared 
that he never had tasted tobacco. 

The grandfather of our subject, on the ma- 
ternal side, John Snyder, was born about 1787 
and was a first cousin to Gov. Snyder of this 
state, after whom Snyder County was named. 
The Snyders formed one of the sturdy pioneer 
families whose influence and activity was fe't 
in many ways in the early stages of the growth 
and progress of Pennsylvania. The maternal 
grandmother was also born about 1787, and 
she died about fifteen years previous to her 
husband. 

Our subject's parents reared a family of 
thirteen children, two of whom died voimsf. 



Curiously enough, for forty years following 
the demise of the two young children no death 
record was preserved in the family. Of the 
survivors of the children Reuben S.. our sub- 
ject, and his brother. Jacob S. Aucker, are the 
on'y ones who have been itlentitied with the 
history and the progre.ss of Shamokin and 
Northumberland County. The children were 
as follows: Henry, deceased; Catharine, wid- 
ow of Samuel Zeigler; Peter and Barbara, de- 
ceased; our subject, Reuben S. ; Leah, de- 
ceased; Annie, widow of Jacob Longaker; 
Susan; Emanuel, who is a farmer in Snyder 
County; John, also a farmer in Snyder Coun- 
ty; Jacob, a resident of Shamokin and a car- 
penter b_\- trade, also an undertaker; Malinda, 
who died young; and Enos, the youngest, 
who resides in Snyder County, and is a farmer. 
In his youth Reuben, our subject, did not 
ha\e many advantages for securing an edu- 
cation and he was reared on his father's farm. 
He attended a subscription school for about 
three months and a free school for twenty-one 
months, at the same time working in the 
woods and doing dutifully his part toward 
supporting the large family and also mana- 
ging to attend the New Berlin Academy for 
two months. Reuben also succeeded in learn- 
ing a trade as a carpenter and a millwright, 
and, thus reinforced for his struggle with the 
world, he started out to win his way and re- 
moved to Shamokin in 1865, working for 
some time as a carpenter and builder. A year 
after reaching Shamokin he started a lumber 
yartl, and his business finally increased so that 
he built fifty houses in one year. In 1872 Mr. 
Aucker established a furniture and undertak- 
ing business. He carried on that branch of 
his enterprise until 1888, when he sold it to his 
brother, Jacob S., and T. H. Paul, both having 
for some time been in his employ. In Feb- 
ruary, 1882 our subject organized the firm of 



230 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



.\ucker. Slaynian & Co., taking; into partner- 
siii]) two of liis former wnrknicn, C. J. Slay- 
man and Joseph \\ . Kessler. iiiis th"ni crecte 1 
many of the most siiljstantial anil handsome 
strnctures in Shaniokin, including the Gar- 
field School, tlie Globe building, St. John's 
Reformed ("hurcli, tlie large block in which is 
the dry goods store of its owner, Charles C. 
l.eader, and a large number of i)rivate resi- 
dences, among them those of George 0. Martz 
and C. Q. McWilliams. Mr. Slayman retired 
from the firm in 1897 owing to poor health. 

Well \-ersed in farming and the needs of the 
prosjjcrous farmer, Mr. .\ucker for se\eral 
years made a study of fertilizers and the best 
methods of producing good ground, with the 
result that in April, iS(ji, he established an 
indi\idu;d i'nter])risc, the Shaniokin I'ertil- 
izing Works, which has a large factory in 
North Shaniokin. This business is growing 
rajjidly and already the trade of the works is 
very extensive. Mr. Aucker owns three large 
farms, two in Snyder County and one in 
.Xitrtluuubcrland County, and several smaller 
farms. .-iikI his real estate iKjldings in Shanio- 
kin are very large. 

Our subject has given much time and work 
to some of the important interests of Shanio- 
kin. He was one of the organizers of the 
West Ward Building & Loan Association and 
has been its president for twenty years. He 
also was an organizer of the Shaniokin Elec- 
tric Light & Power Com])any, of which he 
is a director: an organizer of the Shaniokin 
Electric Street Railway: a director of the 
Guarantee Safe Deposit & Trust Company: 
and is interested in several other business en- 
terprises. 

Mr. Aucker served as a councilman for 
four years, from iS^f) to 1870, and as a mem- 
ber of tlie school board for six years. Our 
subject is an honored member of St. John's 



Reformed Church, of which lie has been a 
deacon and elder for twenty-five years, and a 
teacher in the Sunday School for thirty- 
three years. 

Our subject most appro])riately celebrated 
Christmas Day, 1863, by wedding Mary Wand 
at Georgetown. Their children have been as 
follows: Ida ^L. wife of M. G. Reager, a mer- 
chant in Shaniokin; Mary Magdalen, Carrie 
and Kate May, deceased: and Emma Eva 
and Mary Ellen, who are at the family home. 




ICiM ENRY F. GLENN. The Jackson & 
W^oodin Manufacturing Company of 



Berwick is one of the largest and 
)cst known concerns of its kind in this coun- 
try and much credit for its success is due its 
present manager, the subject of tliis biog- 
raphy. He is a son of Robert and Sarah 
(Thomas) Glenn, and was born in riiiladcl- 
phia. 

Robert Glenn, father of our subject, dicil in 
1854. :md Henry I', is the only sur\i\iiig 
member of the family. He was reared and 
educated in the public schools of Philadelphia. 
Being of a mechanical turn of mind he took 
a course of studx' in mechanical engineering, 
but later gave up the study and became a 
clerk in a drygoods store, at which calling he 
continued until 1870. He then removed to 
Berwick and entered the employ of Jackson 
& Woodin as clerk. Two years later the firm 
was merged into The Jackson & Woodin 
Manufacturing Company, and our subject was 
promoted to the position of secretary, the du- 
ties of which he performed in a manner as 
to gain the approval of his employers. He 
was soon after rewarded for his faithfulness 
and the interest he took in the welfare of the 
company by being made manager. He was 




REV. ANDREW 1\I. LOWKN', 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



233 



also general manager of the Berwick Rolling 
Mills until it was consolidated with The Jack- 
son & Woodin Company, and served as its 
treasurer for one year. He possesses not only 
the respect of the men under his supervision, 
but is held in high esteem by all with whom 
he is acquainted, both in business and private 
life. He is also deeply interested in the 
growth and dexxlopment of Berwick and ac- 
tively supports all enterprises which will in 
any way be of benefit to the town. He uses 
his influence to elevate the standard of educa- 
tion and has served on the board of educa- 
tion for six years. He is also one of the 
directors of the Nescopeck Bridge Company. 
Mr. Cdenn was united in marriage to Mary 
B. Young, a daughter of Rev. Jared Young, 
and their happy union has been blessed by the 
birth of six children: Jesse, a mechanical en- 
gineer and a graduate of Cornell University; 
Elizabeth, who is in attendance at a college 
for young ladies at Baltimore, Md.; Edwin, 
a student of Cornell University; Annie, wdio 
is attending school at home; Robert, also a 
student at Berwick; and Mary, who died in 
infancy. In religious views the family ad- 
heres to the faith of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 




1^ J EV. ANDREW M. LOWRY. To be 
able to look back to a quarter of a 
century spent in good works is in- 
deed an enviable record, and such is the priv- 
ilege of the subject of this sketch, Rev. An- 
drew M. Lowry, a retired minister of the 
Presbyterian Church, residing in Watson- 
town, who was born in Turbot township, 
Northumberland County, Pa., June 21, 1820. 
He attended the public schools of his native 
town and then took a classical course at Mc- 
Ewensville .A.cademy, under the able ministra- 



tions of Dr. Shedden. He afterwards attended 
Lafayette College of Easton, Pa., which w'as 
presided over by Dr. Junken, who was so 
highly thought of by his pupils that upon his 
resignation of the i)residency of Lafayette, to 
accept the same office in Washington College 
now known as Lee University of Lexington, 
Va., he was accompanied to that institution 
by se\'eral of his scholars, among wdiom was 
our subject, who was graduated from that col- 
lege in June, 1850. He then took a three- 
years' course in theology at Princeton Semi- 
nary and afterwards spent one year in evan- 
gelistic work. He was ordained by the Pres- 
bytery of Northumberland and received his 
first call from Port Carbon, Schuylkill County, 
Pa. He accepted the call and for twenty-one 
years and six months labored faithfully in the 
"vineyard of our Lord." He was most suc- 
cessful in his work, and not only remodeled 
the church, but enlarged its membership most 
materially during his years of occupancy. 
Though the spirit was willing the flesh was 
weak, and much against his own and his 
parishioners' wishes our subject was obliged, 
reluctantly, to retire from active work on ac- 
count of his health, which had failed him 
from the arduous labor performed in the faith- 
ful discharge of his duties. 

Remembering fondly the lovely spot in 
which he was born, the beautiful valley of the 
West Branch of the Susquehanna River, Rev. 
Mr. Lowry decided to spend his declining 
years in that vicinity, and built a fine residence 
in Watsontown at the corner of Main and 
Fifth streets, where he and his two sisters now 
reside. 

Our subject's grandfather, Samuel Lowry, 
was born in Ireland, and was, as is his grand- 
son, a devout Presbyterian. He came to Am- 
erica and married Elizaljcth McClenathan: 
thev settled in Columbia Countv, Pa., where 



234 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



they successfully followed farming life until 
they (lied, each heing eighty years of 
age. They were the parents of five chil- 
dren : Margaret, who married a Mr. Maxwell; 
Sarah, wife of James Sheep; Ellen; James 
M.; and Samuel, who inherited the home- 
stead. 

James M. Lowrx'. the father of our subject, 
worked on the homestead until he had laid by 
enough money to start in for himself. This 
he did by purchasing a tract of land near 
Dewart, Turbot township. Pa., which is still 
owned by the Lowry family. There our sub- 
ject's father cleared the land and built a fine 
set of buildings, which, remodeled for present 
reciuirements,. will stand contrast with more 
recent buildings very creditably, thus showing 
the substantial, honest manner in which they 
were built, and also the trait of character in 
both father and son, which caused all their 
work to be done thoroughly and well. James 
M. Lowry was a practical and successful farm- 
er and reaped the reward of his hard work in 
plenty of well-tilled land and a comfortable 
bank account. Still, all of his life was not 
]jassed in the peaceful pursuits of a farmer, for 
he served honorably toward the close of tlie 
\\'ar of 1812 at Black Rock, near Buffalo. X. 
\ ., on the Niagara Frontier. He was an act- 
ive member of the Presbyterian Church and 
served as trustee of same. He married Sarah 
Laird, daughter of Matthew Laird of Union 
County, Pa. Their marriage was blessed with 
the following children ; Elizabeth, the widow 
of Samuel McKean; Andrew M.; Margaret, 
who married Joseph G. Durham, both now de- 
ceased; Samuel, who married Nancy Nesbit. 
both now deceased; Sarah, the wife of David 
AlcGuire, both now deceased; ^Matthew, wlm 
married Catherine (iauger, both now de- 
ceased; Jane and Mary (twins), the forme.' 
of whom makes her home with our subject, 



and the latter of whom is dead; Mary E., 
who also lives with her brother; and two 
infants, deceased. 

Although our subject has retired from act- 
ive labors he still carries on the work of the 
Master in many ways, being always ready to 
fill a vacancy or to do anything in the line of 
his profession. Re\'. Mr. Lowry is one of 
whom it may truly be said, "Well done, thou 
good and faithful servant." The publishers 
of this volume take pleasure in announcing 
that a portrait of the subject of this biograph- 
ical notice a]:)pears on a preceding page. 



FRANCIS ^^'. GALLAGHER. A com- 
modious, modernly-conducted hotel 
is an absolute essential to the welfare of any 
enterjirising community. Regardless of what- 
ever element of progress in other lines may 
be possessed, if a village is devoid of ample 
hotel accommodations for the traveling pul)- 
lic in charge of liberal-minded and public- 
spirited landlords, no community can with 
reason hope to attain its essential and proper 
degree of success. In the above class of gen- 
tlemen we belie\'e we are justified in accord- 
ing a jjrominent place to Mr. Gallagher, pro- 
prietor of the well-known Gallagher Hotel, 
which is prominentl}- located in the town of 
Laporte. This highly-esteemed resident of 
Laporte is of the sturdy Irish race and was 
born in Galvery, County Fermanagh, Ireland, 
June 3, 1862, and is a son of Dennis Galla- 
gher. 

Dennis Gallagher was also born in County 
Fermanagh. Ireland, and when a lad of ten 
years he sailed for the United States, where 
he hoped to find good fortune, and that he 
succeeded may be attributed to his own perse- 
\erance and untiring energy. Mr. Gallagher 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



235 



went to Jacksonville, Fla., where he entered 
the emploxment of a Mr. Jackson, a larg;e 
fruit-grower of that cil_\'. He was very in- 
dustrious and by the exercise of economy suc- 
ceeded in acquiring a small fortune. He then 
returned to his native land and soon after was 
wedded to Ann Johnson. They concluded to 
remain in Ireland and our subject's father pur- 
chased a small tract of land and carried on 
agricultural pursuits; he li\ed to the age of 
fifty-nine years. His wife who is yet living is 
the mother of the following children, most of 
whom came to the United States during their 
early years: James, who resides in his native 
land; Mary Ann, deceased; Sally, also de- 
ceased; John, a resident of Potter County, 
Pa.; William, who resides in the state of 
Texas; Hugh, who lives in Boston, Mass.; 
Francis W., our subject; Catherine and Den- 
nis, also in Boston; Patrick, a prominent 
resident of Laporte; and Thomas, who lives 
in Scotland. 

Our subject attended the district schools 
and while a lad served an ajiprenticeship to 
the glass-making trade. In 1879 be came to 
the United States, found employment in a 
tanyard, and followed tanning until 1893; be 
worked at that vocation in the following 
places: Stoneham, Brookton, Sterling Run, 
Muncy Valley, Hillsgrove, and Laporte, Pa. 
In 1893 he purchased the King property, 
which was then a large frame building used 
for store purposes and rebuilt it into a res- 
taurant and hotel, where he immediately won 
the respect and confidence of the people. 
After the burning of the Laporte Hotel in 
1898 our subject purchased the ground and 
barns, and has erected a handsome three-story 
hotel, 50 by 52 feet; on two sides of the 
building is a large veranda; when all improve- 
ments have been completed the hotel will have 
both hot and cold water and all other mod- 



ern improvements, including steam heat. Mr. 
(lallagher. in his new hostelry, is able to ac- 
conunodate the tra\eling public and also the 
many families seeking a mountainous resort; 
the hotel commands a' beautiful view of the 
surrounding mountain scenery. 

Mr. Gallagher is a most popular landlord, 
and has succeeded in building up a trade that 
is excelled by few others in his section of the 
county. Our subject is also popular in Ijoth 
social and business circles and takes a great 
interest in municipal matters, being an ideal 
public-spirited citizen. He firmly upholds the 
principles of the Democratic party, has served 
two terms as burgess, and two terms as chair- 
man of the Democratic county committee. 
Mr. Gallagher was wedded to Tresa Breaker, 
a daughter of Charles Breaker of Laporte, 
and they are the j^arents of four children : 
Mary Ann; Emma; William, who passed 
from this life in 1898, aged four years, and 
who was one of the favorite children of the 
borough, his death being deeply mourned by 
all; and Francis. Religiously Mr. Gallagher 
and family are prominent members of the 
Church of Rome. 



(sTvlonzo J. su 

y^a proprietor of 
>'°"»V^ Laundry a 



SULT is the well-known 
if the Berwick Steam 
at No. 318 East Front 
street, Berwick, one of the most successful 
in Central Pennsylvania. He has not only a 
large patronage in Berwick, but an established 
reputation in the principal cities in this section 
of the state, having a good custom in Scran- 
ton, Wilkesbarre, Catawissa, Pittston, North- 
umberland, and many smaller villages. He is 
a son of Daniel and Catherine (Geddes) Suit, 
and was born in Berwick, April 4, 1845. 

He is a grandson of Peter Suit, who was 
born in Northampton County, where he fol- 



236 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



lowed the trade of a cooper until 1823 when 
he moved to Berwick, Columbia County. 
There he followed his trade until his death 
and was a very prosperous man. He served 
in the borough couficil and was supervisor 
for a number of terms. He was united in 
marriage to MagdaTena Kester, and they 
reared the following children: James; Ste- 
phen, of Lockport, N. Y. ; Julia, wife of John 
Switzer; Mary, wife of David Wagoner; 
Daniel; Charles of Peoria. 111.; Sarah, wife 
of C. A. Becker; Eliza, who married James 
Hover; and William, a resident of Peoria, 
III. yir. Suit died at the age of seventy-four 
years, and his worthy wife was sixty-nine 
years of age when she closed her e\'es in final 
sleep. 

Daniel Suit, father of our subject, was born 
in Northampton County, Pa., and came to 
Berwick witli his father when young. He 
was employed as a mechanic by The Jackson 
& Woodin Manufacturing Companv. after 
which he was track manager for the D., L. & 
W. R. R. from Kingston to Northumberland. 
He then worked at the carpenter's trade until 
1863, when he was employed in the pattern 
shop of The Jackson & Woodin Alanufactur- 
ing Company, continuing until his death, at 
the age of seventy-four years. He was united 
in marriage to Catherine Geddes, a daughter 
of Thomas Geddes. and they were the hapi\v 
l^arents of four children : Sarah, who mar- 
ried a Mr. Reichard; .\dclia E., deceased; 
Alonzo J., the subject of this personal history; 
and Jessie P., deceased. 

Alonzo J. Suit received his intellectual 
training in the pul)lic schools of Berwick, af- 
ter which he learned the trade of a stationary 
engineer. He was then in the employ of 
The Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Com- 
pany for thirty years after which, on January 
I, 1S93, he became |)ro[3rictor of the steam 



laundry which he has since conducted. The 
laundry occupies a two-story building, 35 by 
43 feet, and is supplied with the latest-im- 
proved machinery which enables him to do 
first-class work in every respect. The plant 
is heated throughout by steam, and lighted 
by gas and electric lights. By his courteous 
and straightforward manner of dealing with 
every one, Mr. Suit has worked up a good 
patronage which will compare favorably with 
any in this section of the state. He employs 
only skilled workmen and the work turned out 
is always satisfactory to his customers. He 
has a comfortable home on the same lot with 
the laundry, which he has remodeled and sup- 
plied with all modern con\-eniences. 

Mr. Suit was united in matrimonial bonds 
to Nancy J. Boyles, a daughter of James 
Boyles of Berwick, and they are the happy 
parents of six children, namely: Walter M., 
bookkeeper for the Lehigh Valley Coal Co. 
at \\'ilkesbarre. Pa., who married Elizabeth 
Campbell, and they have one daughter, Mar- 
garet; Daniel, assistant to his father, who 
married Ella Brown, by whom he had one son, 
Alonzo; Lloyd F., a bookkeeper and stenog- 
rapher for the P. & R. R. R. at Wilkesbarre, 
who wedded Elizabeth Stifnagle; A\'illiam B., 
a laundryman, whcj married Ida Berklieimer; 
Robert E. P., who is a student; and Mar- 
garet, the first born, who died at the age of 
two years. On July 2, 1862, Mr. Suit enlisted 
in Company H, 84111 Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., 
but was discharged October 3, of the same 
year, owing to an attack of typhoid fever. 
He again enlisted with Company B, 194th 
Reg., Pa. A'ol. Inf.. anil received his dis- 
charge November 5, 1864. February 7, 1865, 
he re-enlisted in Company A, 74th Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the 
war, receiving his discharge August 29, 1865. 
In political views, he classes himself as an 




ALF.M HKITTOX WHITK. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



239 



Independent. Socially he is a member of the 
P. O. S. of A., and the Knights of the Golden 
Eagle of which he is past chief. 




I.EM BRITTON WHITE, whose por- 
trait is shown on the opposite page, 
was successfully engaged in the 
mercantile business in Light Street, Scott 
township, Columbia County, Pa., for many 
years, and is now agent for the Bloomsburg 
cc Sullivan Railroad at Light Street. He is a 
son of Joseph and Lydia Ann (Robbins) 
White, and was born in Fishing Creek town- 
ship, Columbia County, May 9, 1833. 

Tlie White family is of German extraction. 
Peter White, the grandfather of our su1)ject, 
was a prominent agriculturist of Scott town- 
ship where he resided on a farm near Light 
Street which is now owned by the widow of 
H. C. Hartman. He passed to his eternal 
resting place in 181 5 while yet a young man. 
He formed a matrimonial alliance with Eliza- 
beth Britton by whom he had eight sons and 
five daughters, a record of whom is here 
given : Harry, the only surviving member of 
the family, is a farmer residing in Indiana; 
Mary Maud married a ^Ir. Garrison, a farm- 
er of Salem township, Luzerne County; Ze- 
beth, who was a farmer and resided in Michi- 
gan; John, who was a farmer and resident 
of Richlaufl County, Ohio; Joseph; William, 
who was a farmer on the old homestead; Sam- 
uel followed agricultural pursuits in Rich- 
land County, Ohio; Peter, who also made his 
home in Richland County, Ohio; Catherine, 
who was the wife of Samuel Oman, who was a 
farmer in Mt. Pleasant township, Columbia 
County; Sarah, who was the wife of Andrew 
Melick, also a farmer of Mt. Pleasant town- 
ship; Elizabeth, who married a Mr. Emerson, 
a farmer of Indiana; Isaac, who was a farmer 



and lime-burner of Scott township; and Hen- 
ry, who was a resident of Indiana. 

Joseph White, the father of our subject, 
was born on the old homestead March 15, 
1800. and after attaining man's estate went to 
Pine township where he engaged in tilling 
the soil and was a very well-to-do farmer. He 
was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of which he was steward and trustee. 
He passed into the unknown beyond at lola. 
Greenwood township, December 2, 1858, 
aged fifty-eight years. He took the marriage 
vows twice, his first union being with Lydia 
Ann Robbins, a daughter of John Robbins, 
a farmer of Greenwood township, and they 
became the happy parents of eight children, 
namely: Sarah C, the wife of John Johnson, 
a farmer of Greenwood township; Alem Brit- 
ton, the subject of this biographical sketch: 
Melissa J., deceased, who married Henry Mil- 
ler of Watsontown, Xorthumberland County; 
John A., a carpenter and mechanic of Rich- 
land County, Ohio; Mary E., deceased, who 
married David Oman of Mt. Pleasant town- 
ship, Columbia County; Anna A., widow of 
Samuel ^^^^ite of Fairmont township, Luzerne 
County; Harriet M., wife of Thomas \\'right. 
a carpenter by trade and a farmer of Green- 
wood township; and Eliza R., the wife of 
S. B. Fornwald of Washington, Ind. Mrs. 
White died December 7, 1835, at the age of 
thirty-eight years. Joseph's second wife was 
Deborah Fowler and they reared two child- 
ren, — Florence P., the wife of N. H. White of 
Almedia, Columbia County; and Joseph, a 
merchant of Light Street. 

.Mem Britton WHiite was reared on the 
farm and obtained his mental training in the 
public schools and Greenwood Seminary at 
Milhille. Pa., after which he began teaching- 
school at the age of fifteen years. He taught 
in the public schools, then for three terms was 



240 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



assistant in the Bloomsburg High School, and 
finally, for six months, tanght in the Green- 

wiiod Seminar}-. In the spring of 1H65 he 
accepted a clcrkshi]j in a store at Blooms- 
burg where he remained nntil August when 
he entered upon the duties of a similar posi- 
tion for H. \V. Creasy, a merchant of Light 
Street, where he remained until April, 1866, 
when he engaged in the mercantile business 
on his own account at Ashland, Schuylkill 
C"ounty. He contimied in business there un- 
til August, 1868, when he returned to Light 
Street and again clerked for Mr. Creasy until 
.\l)ril, 1871, when tliat gentleman died. Our 
subject then purchased the general merchan- 
dise store of Peter l^nt of Light Street and 
successfully conducted it until 1895 when he 
retired in favor of his brother Joseph, who has 
since managed it. Upon the death of Mr. 
Ent he purchased the property upon which 
the store is situatetl and has since owned it. 
lie was also engagetl in the lumber, coal and 
fertilizer business which he still conducts. He 
was made agent of the Bloomsburg & Sulli- 
van Railroad, when it was opened in 1888 and 
served as agent for the United States E.xpress 
Company since it opened business in Light 
Street in 1892 until June, 1898. He is a man 
of superior business ability, and has been de- 
cidedly successful in all of his business ven- 
tures. 

On March 2^, 1869, our subject was united 
in marriage to Esther E. Geisinger, a native of 
Luzerne County and a daughter of the late 
Samuel Geisinger, by whom he had one 
daughter who was called home in infancy. 
They have since adopted a daughter, Bessie, 
who is living at home. Politically he is a 
stanch supporter of the Prohibition party. He 
is a member of Locust Mountain Lodge, L O. 
O. F., of Ashland, Pa., and of Washington 
Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsburg. 



Religiously he is a member and trustee of the 
Methodist Church, also superintendent of the 

Sundav School. 




HE BLOOMSBURG STATE NOR- 
MAL SCHOOL at Bloomsburg, 
Columbia County, Pa., is one of the largest 
and most flourishing schools of its kind in the 
United States. It catalogues each year some- 
thing o\er 600 students and has a faculty of 
al)out twenty-eight ladies and gentlemen, 
graduates of leading colleges, univer.sities and 
training schools, luich year about 150 young 
men and women are graduated in the different 
departments of the school. Its alunmi num- 
bers nearly 1,500, and, as may he seen by ref- 
erence to this list in the catalogue, a remark- 
ably large number of them occupy positions 
of influence and responsibility in Pennsyh'ania 
and other states. The school is one of the 
best disciplined in the country, while the edu- 
cational work has been so carefully super\ised 
that a strong corps of university and college- 
trained teachers has been brought together 
to form a faculty. As a result, the young men 
and women graduated in the professional and 
college preparatory courses are taking high 
rank among their fellows, and reflecting great 
credit on their Alma Mater. 

The school ])roperty attracts nuich atten- 
tion, being situated at an elevation of over 
1 50 feet above the Susquehanna. The view 
from this elevation is almost unrivaled. The 
river, like a ribbon, edges the plain on the 
south, and disappears through a bold gorge 
three miles to the southwest. Rising imme- 
diately beyond the river is a precipitous ridge 
400 feet high, backed by the majestic Cata- 
wissa Mountain. The town lies at the feet 
of the spectator. Hill and plain, land and 
water, fiekl and forest, town and ct)nntry. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



241 



manufacture and agriculture, are combined 

in tlie \aried scene. Fourteen acres of campus 
aft'ord ample space for lawns and athletic 
grounds, anfl include a large and beautiful 
oak gro\-e, while six large buildings are ad- 
mirably adapted to their different uses. There 
is not s])ace here for a complete description 
of these buildings. Institute Hall is the oldest 
building (built in 1867), and contains six 
spacious class-rooms and a beautiful audi- 
torium which occupies the entire second floor. 
The Alodel School Building is a handsome 
two-story building, and is next to Institute 
Hall. It covers about eighty feet by ninety 
feet, and contains about twenty-six study and 
recitation rooms, well ventilated and supplied 
with light, Idackboard surface, and the most 
improved furniture. The Dormitory is four 
stories high and was originally in the form of 
an inverted T, having a frontage of 162 feet 
and an extension of seventv-five feet. Ex- 
tending toward the river from the J_ is a 
wing 104 by 40 feet in dimensions, thus: £. 
The North End Addition, while connected 
with the dormitory described above, is a dis- 
tinct four-story building, 130 by 50 feet in size. 
The Gymnasium is 90 by 45 feet in size, and 
IS one of the handsomest and best to be found. 
The Employees' Dormitory is about 40 by 70 
feet, three stories high, with a basement which 
contains the laundry. The top floor is fitted 
up as an infirmary. 

The school was originally called the 
Bloomsburg Literary Institute and was 
opened and dedicated in 1867. In 1868 a 
proposition was made to the board of trustees 
by the State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, Hon. J. P. \\'ickersham, to organize the 
school into a state normal school. After much 
heated discussion, the board of trustees passed 
the following resolution: "Resolved that the 
trustees of the Bloomsburg Literary Institute 



agree to establish in connection with the same 
a state normal school under the Act of the 
2(\ of May, 1857, and to procure the grounds 
and put up the necessary buildings, etc." It 
will be seen by this resolution that none of 
the functions of the Literary Institute were 
canceled when it became a normal school. 
The charter name is "The Bloomsburg Liter- 
ary Institute and State Normal School," and 
the courses of study originally provided for 
the Institute are still maintained, according 
to the terms of the original agreement with 
the Commonwealth. As a consequence of 
this action the school is perhaps different from 
other normal schools in that it prepares more 
students for college, and maintains courses in 
both vocal and instrumental music. The work 
of the Institute has not in any way interfered 
with the training of teachers. In fact, the 
necessity of keeping well-trained instructors 
in the sciences, languages, mathematics, his- 
tory, and literature to comply with the ad- 
vanced recjuirements of the Literary Institute, 
has provided better instruction in the elements 
of these branches for students in the normal 
department. The school at all times has at 
least 125 representatives in the various col- 
leges and universities. 

The first principal of the school was Prof. 
Henry Carver, who held the position until 
187 1. He was an excellent disci]5linarian and 
organizer and had tlie hajipy faculty of in- 
spiring young people to make the most of 
themselves. After his withdrawal from tlie 
principalship, the school passed through a 
financial struggle that is best described in the 
words of Col. John G. Freeze, in his "History 
of Columbia County," as follows: 

"The very large amount of money required, 
the falling ofi" of subscribers, the want of 
prompt payment of those which were good, 
the talk of those who were not in .sympathy 



242 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



witli the movement, were all discouraging cir- 
cumstances. The trustees were therefore ob- 
lige<l to assume personally the cost of carry- 
ing on the work. They have had upon them- 
selves at one time, as a personal ol)ligation, 
more than $20,000. Rejjairs, expenditures, 
and dcliciencies to the amount of from $1,000 
to $3,000 annually, have been provided for 
by them, on their personal responsibility. 
They liave given days and nights to the busi- 
ness of the school, the)' lia\e borne, for the 
]»ublic and general good, burdens which no 
man in the town has struggled under in his 
own business. When state aid came slowly 
or not at all, when subscriptions failed, when 
the daily jiressure of debts was almost un- 
bearable, the trustees shouldered the work and 
accepted the responsibility." 

The second principal of the school was the 
well-known lawyer, Charles G. Barkley, Esq., 
who accepted the position temporarily and 
on condition that he would be relieved as soon 
as possible. His principalship extended only 
from December 20, 1871, to March 27, 1872, 
but a marked improvement in the sc\iool in all 
respects was apparent at the time of his resig- 
nation, and tlie trustees would have been glad 
to retain him at the head of the institution. 
lie is at present, and has been for years, one 
(if the leading trustees of the school, being 
chairman of the committee on instruction 
and discipline. 

Mr. Barkley's successor was Rev. John 
Hewitt, rector of the Episcopal Church of 
Bloomsburg, who held the position until the 
end of the school year in June, 1873. Im- 
provement continued, but still the income did 
not meet expenses and the struggles of the 
board of trustees continued. Mr. Hewitt was 
succeeded by Rev. T. L. Griswold, who con- 
tinued as principal until June, 1877. Under 
his administration the school first paid ex- 



penses. In the fall of 1877, Rev. David J. 
Waller, Jr., assumed the duties of principal 
and his administration was very successful. 
It was during his administration that the 
Model School Building and the east wing of 
the Dormitory were erected. Throughout the 
thirteen years of his cf)nuection with the 
school there was a constant growth in the ma- 
terial equipment, size, and ef^ciency of the 
school: and when, in 1890, Rev. Waller was 
ai)pi)inted .^tate .Superintendent of Public In- 
struction the schcjol was in a most prosperous 
condition. 

In July, 1890, the present principal, Judson 
P. Welsh, Ph. D., assumed the duties of the 
position. The National Educator in its issue 
of March 18, 1896, says of the jirosperity of 
the school under his administration : 
"Through the influence of Dr. Welsh, the 
growth and prosperity of the school have been 
])henomenal. We will briefly enumerate some 
of the material changes \\hich have gone 
hand-in-hand with the educationrd improve- 
ment. New furniture came first, then the 
beautiful auditorium was modeled. Next the 
large four-story dormitory and the gynma- 
sium were built. Electric lights, the new li- 
brary, the elevator, and the servants" dormi- 
tory soon followed. The new athletic field 
is another remarkable feature of this growth. 
Ill short, the school ha.s grown so wonder- 
fully that those who have not visited it in 
fi\'e years wcnild be astonished to see the 
transformation." 

The State Normal School is under the care 
of a board of trustees of eighteen members. 
Six of these represent the Commonwealth 
and twelve represent the stockholders. The 
stockholders are the contributors of the origi- 
nal $30,000 which the state requires to be 
furnished by the community in which a nor- 
mal school is established. Thev are not stock- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



243 



liolders in the sense of being participators in 
the earnings of tlie school, Ijut they elect the 
trustees annually and suggest to the Com- 
monwealth those who may be appointed to 
represent the state. The trustees of this 
school ha\e upon more than one occasion fur- 
nished funds to the institution from their pri- 
\ate means, and have fre([nently compromised 
their personal estates by placing their names 
on paper to help the school out of financial 
embarrassment, when the state failed to ap- 
propriate sufticient funds, or withheld pay- 
ment of funds a])propriated. The annual ap- 
pro])riation of the state to the school at pres- 
ent is $7,500, a sum not large enough to pay 
one-half the sum paiil in salaries to the in- 
structors. 

The state also makes an appropriation of 
fifty cents per week to students of the school, 
to aid them in defraying their expenses. This 
aid is given to students seventeen years old, 
who take the teacher's course of instruction 
and declare their intention to become teachers 
in the public schools of the Commonwealth. 
At graduation, those who promise to teach 
two years in the Commonwealth receive fifty 
dollars additional. This aid to the students is 
of no direct value to the school, as it does not 
furnish any additional funds. 

The following well-known business and 
professional men constitute the present board 
of trustees: A. Z.-Schoch, president; John H. 
Clark, secretary; William Neal; John Wolf; 
L. E. Waller; F. P. Billmeyer; George E. 
Elwell; N. U. Funk; James C. Brown; W. 
M. Reber; Paul E. Wirt; A. L. Fritz; Hon. 
Robert R. Little (state) ; C. G. Barkley (state) ; 
Charles W. Miller (state); G. Herring 
(state); John A. Fnnston (state); and C. C. 
Peacock (state). Of these Mr. William Neal 
and Mr. John WoU have been members of the 
board almost continuously since the organiza- 
tion of the school. 



The value of the school to Bloomsburg in a 
business way is probably not realized even by 
the most sagacious business men. Durine" 
the scholastic year of 1896-97, $56,000 of 
the income of the school was spent in the town 
and immediate neighborhood of the school. 
This is about four-fifths of the entire yearly 
income of the school. In addition to this, 
it is estimated that the students of the school 
in their personal expenditures bring from 
$12,000 to $15,000 into the town each year. 
During the seven years preceding the school 
year of 1897-98, the annual income of the 
school increased from $42,000 to over $69,- 
000, or nearly 65 per cent. During those 
seven years the school has expended of its in- 
come in the town, for running expenses, 
$346,000. Add to this (according to the 
above estimate of the amount spent by stu- 
dents), the sum of $85,000 for the seven years, 
and the total is $431,000. But this is not all : 
During this time $70,000 was expended in 
buildings, which amount is not included in 
foregoing amounts, which represent only the 
running expenses of the school. The grand 
total, therefore, of over $500,000 (a half mil- 
lion dollars, in other words) has been spent in 
the town during the seven years mentioned. 
It is no wonder that Bloomsburg is a pros- 
perous town, since she has such an institution, 
pouring $70,000 per annum into her business 
life. 




ILLIA^I R. KOCHER. There are 
few who would recognize the beauti- 
ful and thrifty town of Bloomsburg, with its 
many factories, business houses, and other 
plants, as the little village which was founded 
in 1810 and then contained a postofifice, a 
store, and a few dwelling houses. The steady 
growth and rapid development of the town 



244 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



reflects great credit upon the men who have 
had charge of its afl^airs, but none deserve 
greater praise than \\'illiam R. Koclier, wlio 
is at this date president of the town council. 
Since assuming tlie duties of tliat office in 
1897 he lias instituted many reforms, and has 
lieen instrumental in bringing a number of 
im])ortant enterprises to the town. He is also 
general freight agent for the D., L. & W. R. 
I\. at LJloomsburg, and operates a large 
coal yard and a retail store. He was born in 
Luzerne County and is a son of Thomas T. 
Kocher, a millwright and farmer of Harvey 
Lake, Luzerne County. 

Our sul)ject was reared on a farm, but when 
young left liis parental roof and entered the 
employ of the railroad. He became assistant 
station, freight and baggage agent on the 
D., L. & \V. R. R., from Scranton to Blooms- 
1)urg, and served in that capacity for two 
years, performing his duties in such a manner 
as to gain the approval of his superior officers; 
liis faithfulness to the interests of the company 
was rewarded by promotion to the office of 
general freight agent at Rloomsburg. which 
is one of the largest shi|)ping jKjints of the 
division. He also conducted a retail coal sup- 
ply-house for the company for several years, 
but in 1889 he embarked in the coal business 
on his own account, fornn'ng the firm, W. R. 
Ivocher & Companv. He built an office an<l a 
coal )ard on Seventh street, between Iron and 
Catherine streets, and a large coal-house on 
the corner of East Sixth and Iron streets. The 
latter has a capacity of 300 tons, twenty shutes 
for (|uick U)ading, and has an elevated track 
leading up to it which is connected with the 
main line by a switch, and the facilities for 
shipping are of the best. This business has 
been under the management of David M. 
Sheep, who by giving his prompt attention to 
;ill orders received, and by his courteous treat- 



ment of customers has established a large re- 
tail trade. The firm is one of the largest in 
Columbia County and its members are de- 
serving of the success with which they are 
meeting. Mr. Kocher was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Bloomsburg Creamery, formed 
in 1896, and is its treasurer. He is also sec- 
retary of the Bloomsburg Ice Company, an- 
other of the leading enterprises of the town. 
Mr. Kocher formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Geraldine Benscoter, a daughter of Jos- 
eph R. Benscoter of Luzerne County, Pa., 
and they are the proud parents of two child- 
ren. Hazel and Myron, both of whom are 
attending school. He is a stanch Prohibition- 
ist in his political belief; in 1896 he was elected 
to the council and in 1897 was made president 
of that body. ]Many noted improvements have 
been made since Mr. Kocher entered the 
council, chief of which is the general mail de- 
li\-er_\- for the entire town of Bloomsburg. So- 
cially our subject is a member of the Knights 
of Alalta, and the Heptasophs. Mr. Kocher 
lives in a fine residence at No. 15 East Sixth 
street, and also owns two tenement houses 
on Eighth street. He is a man well and fav- 
orably known throughout Columbia County. 



OSEPH RATTI, whose name is well- 
known throughout the states of Penn- 
sylvania and New Jersey, and in New 
York City, where he has been associated in 
business since his resilience in this country, 
is the treasurer and manager of the Blooms- 
burg Silk Mills, one of the leading industries 
of the thriving town of Bloomsburg. 

The subject of this biographical review was 
born in Como, Italy, and after reaching ma- 
turity he began his career in the employ of 
Ceriana Bros., one of the largest banking 
firms and silk-reelers of Italv. After becom- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



245 



ing a skilled wtirkman at his trade he came to 
America and was employed to throw raw silk 
for the weaving looms at Hoboken, N. J., 
where he worked up a good patronage. He 
moved to Bloonisburg in 1888, taking his ma- 
chinery with him, and built a large three-story 
1)rick factory, 150 Ijy 50 feet, where he man- 
ufactured silk. 

In 1891 Mr. Ratti began the manufacture 
of dress-goods, making a specialty of ijlack 
silk dress-goods, and the business increased 
so rapidly that it was necessary to build an 
additional building, equal in size to the struct- 
ure first used. The mills are heated by steam 
and lighted throughout by gas and electric 
lights. Four hundred men are employed, all 
lieing skilled workmen, many of whom learned 
the trade under our subject. The mill is one 
of the best ecjuipped mills in the state, being 
well-lighted and having the latest improved 
machinery and other modern facilities for the 
convenience of the employees and for the man- 
ufacture of a perfect product. Our subject is 
a man of sterling worth and integrity and al- 
ways has the interests of his employees at 
heart, as he has built twenty handsome brick 
houses about the factory, in which many of 
them reside. 

Mr. Ratti is assisted in the management of 
the business by Frederick G. York, whose 
name is also familiar to the people of Colum- 
bia County. He is a native of Paterson, N. J., 
and since he was eighteen years of age has 
been connected with the manufacture of silk. 
He was general superintendent of the Meding 
Manufacturing Company of Paterson, N. J., 
for many years, and in 1893 removed to 
Bloonisburg to accept his present position 
with the Bloonisburg Manufacturing Com- 
pany, of which he is also a stockholder and 
director. He is also a partner in the firm, 
the Elkland & Graystone Company. 



Mr. Ratti is closely connected with all jiub- 
lic movements and takes an actix'e part in all 
measures which tend to ameliorate or to im- 
prove the condition of mankind. 




HOM.XS W. BEAHEN, a popular and 
genial landlord of Laporte, Sullivan 
County, Pa., is the owner and proprietor of 
the hotel well known in the county as "The 
Alaine." The hotel is handsomely situated, 
affording its patrons a beautiful view of the 
surrounding mountains and it is regarded as 
one of the best summer hotels in the Alle- 
gheny Mountains in its section of the coun- 
ty. Our subject is one of the most prominent 
and enterprising business men of the town, 
and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citi- 
zens. He was born in Troy, N. Y., May i, 
1850, and is a son of John and Ann (Roe) 
Beahen. 

John Beahen is descended from the sturdy 
Irish race and was born three miles from the 
city of Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland. Be- 
ing unsuited with tlie position he had attained 
in his nati\'e country, he decided to immigrate 
to the United States to seek a fortune and 
better home; he accordingly sailed for this 
country at an early age and uj^on his arrival 
he went to work in a tannery in Troy, N. Y. 
Later he engaged in the same occupation at 
Binghamton, N. Y. Mr. Beahen labored dili- 
gently for a number of years and by the exer- 
cise of economy succeeded in accumulating 
enough money to purchase a farm, and after 
his marriage he bought a farm near the village 
of Montrose, Pa., and there carried on agri- 
cultural pursuits until his death, at the age of 
seventy-three years. He was joined in mar- 
riage to Ann Roe, a daughter of James Roc; 
she was born in Countv W'estmeath, Ireland. 



246 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



To this happy union a family of two children 
was born : Mary, who resides on the home- 
stead, and Thomas W., the subject of this 
personal history. The mother of our subject 
entered the final rest at the age of sixty-nine 
years. 

Thonias W. Beahen remained under the 
])arental roof until he attained his majority, 
attending; the district school and assisting his 
father about the farm. He chose the vocation 
of a carpenter as a means of obtaining a live- 
lihood and ])ursncd that trade for twenty-five 
years. In 1880 he became a resident of La- 
porte. where he was employed by the Laporte 
Tanning Company as a carpenter and woods- 
man. Later he rented the Commercial Hotel 
at Laporte. succeeding Mr. McKibbens. One 
year later he touk charge of the Laporte Ho- 
tel, succeeded in establishing an excellent rep- 
utation as a host, and soon built up a large 
l)atronage. Our subject conducted the La- 
porte Hotel until March 25, 1898, when it was 
burned to the ground, our sul)ject meeting 
with a heavy loss. Upon the advice of his 
friends Mr. Beahen decided to continue the 
hotel business and purchasing the Lambert 
])roperty he erected his present hotel, "The 
Maine;" he also built a large barn, 36 by 50 
feet. "The INIaine" is a handsome structure, 
contains seventeen rooms which are elegantly 
furnished, and has a large dining hall capable 
of seating many people; it is situated on a 
high elevation connnanding a view of the sur- 
rounding mountains; the water is pure and 
the mountain air which is very healthy 
and invigorating makes "The Maine" a typi- 
cal sunnner resort. The proprietor of this 
popular resort commands the respect and 
good-will of the entire conmiunity. and takes 
an active interest in any measure which tends 
to benefit his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Beahen was united in the bonds of 



matrimony to Ella Readding, a daughter of 
Hugh Readding of Rush township, Susque- 
hanna County, Pa., and this union has been 
blessed by three children, as follows: Annie; 
John, who has been engaged in teaching dur- 
ing the past three years; and Catherine. Re- 
ligiously Mr. Beahen and family are active 
members of the Roman Catholic Church. Po- 
litically our subject is a .solid Democrat, has 
held the office of school director five years, 
and has been a re])rescntati\c in the town 
coinicil fi\-e vears. 




lARLES H. DORR, the popular 
editor and ])roprietor of the Berwick 
Indei)cndent. should feel ])roud of 
his success in the field of journ;ilisni. When 
the Independent passed into his management 
it was a four-page sheet and made its ap- 
pearance weekly, but under his capable guid- 
ance it has increased wonderfully in circula- 
tion and has been increased to an eight-page 
sheet. It has passed safely over the troubled 
waters and now has a smooth sea in which 
to sail. Mr. Dorr has a thorough understand- 
ing of the newspaper business and knows how 
to conduct a journal successfully. The read- 
ing matter of the Independent is selected 
with the greatest care, its editorials are good, 
and its local news- is crisp, fresh and entertain- 
ing. The growth and success of this journal 
reflects great credit upon the ability of its 
editor and manager. 

Charles H. Dorr is a son of Jesse A. Dorr, 
a lumberman and native of Wyoming County, 
Pa., and was born in W'illiamsport, Pa. He 
was educatetl in the public schools of Balti- 
more, Md.. and the seminary at W'illiamsport, 
after which he entered journalism, his first 
position being that of manager of the Morn- 
ing Record of Haltzdale. He was next em- 




FREUliRlCK J. KICHAKl). 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



249 



ployed in the same capacil\- for the Courier 
at Osceola, where he remained until icSSg, 
when he removed to Berwick anil accepted 
the' management of the Berwick Independent 
for the proprietor, R. S. Bowman. Three 
years later our subject purcliased the plant 
and has since been its proprietor and editor. 
Mr. Dorr was united in marriage to Annie 
Reedy, a daughter of Peter Reedy of Berwick, 
and they have been blessed with three child- 
len, namely: Marian and Margaret, deceased; 
and Herbert. ^Ir. Dorr is a prominent Ala- 
son, being a member of the Knapp Lodge, 
No. 462, F. & A. M. 



l^E 



REDERICK J. RICHARD. Among 

_L «> the principal industries of the remark- 
ably industrious town of Bloomsburg is the 
Bloomsburg Manufacturing Company, of 
which the gentleman whose name heads these 
lines is president. He is well cjualified to di- 
rect the affairs of that well-known concern, 
as he has had twenty-three years' experience 
and is a man of the highest mechanical skill. 
He has been connected with numerous similar 
enterprises, and has done more to promote the 
mechanical industry in Bloomsburg than any 
one individual during the equi\'alent number 
of years. He was born in Scranton, Pa., De- 
cember 19, 1857, and is a son of Jacob F. and 
Josephine (Robert) Richard. 

Jacob F. Richard, the father of our subject, 
a mechanic of renowned skill, was a native of 
France where he learned the trade of a me- 
chanic. He came to the United States and 
followed his trade in Scranton, Pa., New York 
City, and W'aterbury, Conn., and was very 
prosperous. He died in W'aterbury and his 
worthy wife has since resided in New York 
City. As a result of his marriage with Jo- 



Frederick j. 
York Citv and 
public schools, 
ehanical abilitv 



sephine Robert, four sons and one daughter 
were born, namely : Frederick J., in whom the 
interest of this sketch centers; Henry J.; 
George J.; Jacob J.; and Elizabeth, who was 
united in marriage to E. Hosbach of Wood 
Haven. 

Richard was reared in New 
received his education in the 
He inherited his father's me- 
and love for mechanics, and 
early in life begged his father to allow him to 
choose the trade of machinist as his life occu- 
pation. His father would not consent until 
he had tried other lines of work, and met with 
disappointment, when he was finally allowed 
to enter the employ of Bliss & Williams of 
Brooklyn. He served an apprenticeship of 
five years during which time he became thor- 
oughly acquainted with the trade and was 
thoroughly qualified to undertake the duties 
of the next position offered him. He was ap- 
pointed foreman of the Manhattan Brass 
Company and, as his work proved very satis- 
factor}-, he was soon after ajjpointed super- 
intendent. He later took charge of the Brass 
Tube Works of Holmes, Booth & Haven of 
Waterbury, Conn., which is known far and 
wide as the Brass City, and held that position 
for three years. For the following two years 
he was superintendent for Randolph & Clauss, 
manufacturers of- seamless brass and copper 
tubing. In 1891 he removed to the thriving 
town of Bloomsburg and, in association with 
J. L. Richardson, Iniilt the Brass & Copper 
Company's plant, manufacturers of seamless 
brass and copper tubing. The factory is a 
two-story brick structure, 175 by 75 feet, and 
is fitted throughout with machinery of the 
company's own manufacture. Our subject 
was made the manager and superintendent 
and under his careful guidance the venture 
was eminently successful. In 1892 the 



250 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



rilddinslinri^' Ilrass & Copper Company was 
formed and he was made superintendent. In 
i8y3 lie built the plant of the Shickshinuy 
Tube Company, of which he is a director and 
stockholder. He was also a director and 
stockholder in the Bloomsburg Elevator Com- 
pany, builders and makers of machinery. In 
partncrshi]) with J. L. Richardson, he built 
the Bloomsburg Manufacturing Company's 
plant in 1893; the building was 60 by 40 feet, 
and the boiler-room was 30 by 30 feet, both 
being made of brick. The company manu- 
factures a large variety of articles, cuspidors, 
oil-cans, currycombs, etc. In 1894 a stock 
company was formed with the following of- 
ficers: F. J. Richard, president; George J. 
Richard, vice-president: and L. E. Waller, di- 
rector. As the growth of the business had 
been so rapid it was found necessary to en- 
large the building. Another story was added 
to it, the length increased to no feet and an 
L, 50 bv 25 feet, added. Machinery was put 
in for the manufacture of carpet looms for 
the Bloomsburg Carpet Manufactory, and al- 
so six cutting and stamping machines. Mr. 
Richard is the most experienced and skilled 
mechanic in this sectiiMi of the state, and de- 
signed and made most of the machinery now 
in use in the factory. An average of fifty 
competent workmen is regularly employed, 
and their output is the finest on the market 
and finds a ready sale in the larger cities. Our 
snliject's sterling qualities are a source of 
admiration and respect among his fellow-citi- 
zens who regard him as a man of great worth 
and influence in the community. 

Our subject was joined in hymeneal Ijonds 
to Catherine Cook, a daughter of Andrew 
Cook of Wood Haven, and they became the 
happy parents of the following children : Wil- 
liam, deceased: Catherine: Julia: Lizzie, Lil- 
lia and Ereil J., deceased; and Jennie. Mr. 



Richard was deprived of his beloved wife's 
coni])anionship by death in 1897, aged thirty- 
seven years. In Noxember, 1898, he joined in 
marriage with Hannah S. Christ of Blooms- 
burg, Pa., daughter of George T. and ]VIar- 
garet Christ of Bloomsburg. He has been a 
member of the town council several terms 
and his great popularity is shown by the fact 
that at a recent election he received the larg- 
est vote ever cast for a candidate for council- 
man. Socially our subject is a member of 
Harmony Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M.. of 
Waterbury, Conn. He resides in a fine resi- 
dence on Normal Hill and is also the owner 
of a large tenement house on Light Street 
road, and one on Fourth street. 

As a representative and prominent citizen 
of Bloomsl)urg we show on a previous page a 
recent portrait of Mr. Richard. 



OSEPH S. NEWMAN, an enterpris- 
ing and progressive citizen of Nord- 
mont, Sullivan County, Pa., is general 
station agent on the \\'. & N. B. R. R. and 
e.xpress agent at that point, where he has 
faithfully served the company's interests since 
1890. He is a son of George Newman, and 
was born in Prince, Williams County, Va., 
March 7, 1866. He is of English descent and 
is a great-grandson of Thomas Newman, who 
was one of the early settlers of Lycoming 
County, Pa., where he was known far and 
wide as a man of integrity and honesty in his 
every business transaction. He now lies bur- 
ied in the Newman cemetery of that county. 
He was the progenitor of one son, Joseph, 
who became the owner of the old homestead 
in Lycoming County. He disjiosed of that 
property and settled at Tivoli, in the same 
countv, where he followed lumbering and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



251 



farming. He closed his eyes in final sleep at 
tiie age of seventy-four years. 

George Newman, tlie fatiicr of (iur subject, 
was born near Hnghesville, Lycoming Coun- 
ty, but moved to Ti\oli with liis father, where 
he resides at the present time. He is a man 
of great industry and, as a dealer in lumber 
and a farmer, success has attended his every 
effort, and he is now one of the substantial 
men of that section. 

Joseph S. Newman, the subject of this bio- 
graphical record, obtained his mental training 
in the public schools and in the high schools 
of Williamsport and Tivoli. In 1884 he was 
oft'ered the position of station agent at that 
town, which he accepted and retained for one 
and one-half years, serving in Sonestown for 
a time subsequent to 1886. He was the first 
and is the only member of the Newman family 
whose lot has been cast within the bounds 
of the Seventeenth Congressional District of 
Pennsylvania. From Sonestown he went to 
Muncy Valley, where he remained until 1890, 
when he accepted his- present position at 
Nordmont, Sullivan County. He has a thor- 
ough understanding of the many responsible 
duties of his position and has discharged them 
to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the 
road, thereby gaining the approval of his em- 
ployers. For some years he was financially 
associated in the mercantile business in Nord- 
mont, under the firm name of Botsford & 
Newman, with M. W. Botsford, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere in this book. 

Mr. Newman was united in the liolv bonds 
of wedlock to Mary S. Sinclair, a daughter of 
William and Martha J. Sinclair of Laporte 
township, and their happy union is blessed 
by two children : Hazel Martha and Lester S. 
Politically our subject is a stanch Republican, 
whilst in religious attachments he is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. So- 



cially he is a member of the Patriotic Order 
Sons of America and of the Odd Fellows, i le 
is a man of admirable ciiaracler and hal)its and 
has won many friends since his residence in 
Nordmont. 




EV. WILEIA.M I. STEANS, pastor 
of the Mahoning Presbyterian Church 
of Danville, Pa., is an earnest and 
conscientious laborer in the vineyard of the 
Master and is held in high estimation by his 
parishioners. 

The church of which our subject is now 
pastor dates back to 1778 or 1779, when Gen. 
William Montgomery raised enough money 
by subscription to ha\'e a minister journey to 
and preach in the old log-house which stopd 
where the Grove Church now stands. Li 1786 
a congregation was organized and two ser- 
mons were preached every Sunday, one in the 
morning and the other in the afternoon. There 
was neither sto\e nor fireplace in the old log 
church, and. as there was a pit in the center 
of the church, a charcoal fire was built to 
heat it: the noon-hour was spent in lunching 
and late in the afternoon the second sermon 
was preached. The ground upon which this 
log church stood consisteil of three and seven- 
tenths acres and was purchased September 8, 
1775, at a cost of £5. In 1826 the church was 
torn down and a brick building erected. The 
following ministers hatl charge of this church 
from 1826 to 1850: Rev. Hugh Morrison, 
Rev. John Bryson, Rev. Asa Dunham, Rev. 
John B. Patterson, Rev. David M. HoUiday, 
and Rev. John W. Yeomans, all of whom were 
local preachers. In 1850 the congregation of 
this church numbered 325, and. being so 
large, its members decided to abandon the old 
church and erect a new one. Accordinglv, in 



252 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



1853, tlie old church was sold and the present 
one erected, and it was dedicated November 
16, 1854, and sermons were preached by Rev. 
William Plumer, Rev. Sinonton, and Rev. Da- 
vid M. Holliday. A few of the members, who 
resided near the old site, organized a new con- 
gregation which is still in existence and is 
called the Grove Presbyterian Church. The 
Mahoning Presbyterian Church is located on 
Ferry street and is a handsome structure. The 
society has the largest congregation of any 
church in Danville. Since 1865 the following 
ministers have successively been pastor of this 
church: Rev. Dr. Yeomans; Rev. William E. 
T. Tjames; Rev. Alexander B. Jackson; Rev. 
Thomas R. Beeber; Rev. R. L. Stewart; and 
the present pastor, W. I. Steans. The ruhng 
ciders are : Josiah Reed, James Oglesby, H. M. 
Hinckley, R. B. Voris, David Shelhart, Sam- 
uel Bailey H. B. Schultz and H. H. Furman. 

Our subject was born Alarch 20, 1854, and 
is a son of William Steans and a grandson of 
John Steans, who came from Leicestershire, 
Fug., to this country while a young man; he 
located in BulTalo Valley, Northampton 
County, Pa., and was one of the prominent 
farmers of his day. He died at the age of 
seventy-eight years. His wife was Agnes Bo- 
vard and they were the parents of six chil- 
dren, namely : William, the father of our sul)- 
ject: Catherine; Jane; Hannah; Nancy; antl 
Sarah. 

William Steans followed the vocation of an 
agriculturist all his life on the old homestead. 
He married Caroline Irwin, a daughter of Wil- 
liam Irwin, a native of North Ireland. Fom^ 
children blessed the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Steans, namely: John C, a practicing physi- 
cian of Mifflinbm-g, Pa.; William I., our sub- 
ject; Jennie R.; and Ralph, also a physician. 

Rev. William I. Steans ac(|uircd a good ed- 
ucation in the Columbia Seminarv, was then 



graduated from Lafayette College in 1879, 
and later entered the Theological Seminary 
of Princeton, and was graduated with the class 
of 1882. He immediately began his service 
for God and humanity in his first field of labor, 
the Washlnu'n Street Presljyterian Church at 
Scranton, Pa. On June i, 1891. he took 
charge of his present pastorate, in which he 
has been very successful, and his zealous ef- 
forts for the good and betterment of the com- 
numity have been crowned with tlie best of re- 
sults. His labors are well p'.aimed and he is 
able to get through with a large amount of 
work because of the several years of expe- 
rience he has had in the religious field. Broad 
in his views, sincere and outspoken in his atti- 
tude on living (piestions that concern the lives 
and welfare of the people, and zealous and 
earnest in all that he sets his hand and his 
heart to, Rev. Mr. Steans is a man whose in- 
fluence is felt on all sides, one who will leave 
a lasting ini])ression on the coiununiity in 
which he so zealously labors. Our subject, 
some time a^o, was united in marriage to Jen- 
nie Wells, a daughter of C. H. Wells of Scran- 
ton, Pa. 



ENRY S. BETTS, a successful and ar- 
'^1 tistic photographer of Shamokin, 
- V - , Northumberland County, Pa., was 
born July 2, 1862, in Merthyr Tydvil, South 
Wales. He is a son of Alfred and Zilpah 
(Carr) Betts. 

Our subject was educated in England. He 
followed in the footsteps of his father, with 
whom he learned the father's trade, photog- 
raphy. He also pursued his chosen vocation 
in several London photographic houses, after 
which he engaged in business in his native 
country. 

Coming to the United States in October, 




ISAIAH BOWER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



255 



i88y, Mr. Betts engaged in his business in 
Mount Cannel, Northumlierland County, 
wliere lie prospered and remained until April. 
1898, when he removed to Shaniokin, his pres- 
ent home. Our subject, being of artistic tem- 
perament and having liad valuable experience 
abroatl, hokls high rank as a photographer 
and is well known because of the excellence of 
his photographic work of all classes. 

Mr. Betts was happily married to Margaret 
Chambers of England. Their happiness has 
been crowned by the issue of four lovable chil- 
dren, Frank, Zilpah, Arthur and Ada. 



fSAIAH BOWER, one of the oldest and 
most prominent merchants of Columbia 
County, Pa., whose portrait is shown on 
the opposite page, has been a resident of Ber- 
wick for many years, and it is owing to the 
efforts of such men as he that the borough, 
as a business center and manufacturing point, 
leads all other boroughs of ecpial size in the 
state of Pennsylvania, ^^dlen quite young he 
engaged in business there and in a short time 
was at the head of a large industry, which 
added wealth to the town and aided in its 
growth, as the success of his undertaking 
served as an inducement for other enterprises 
to locate there. Berwick steacHly grew in 
size, and we find that Mr. Bower, from the 
time of making his home there, has been fore- 
most in promoting its interests and has 
erected more residences and business houses 
than any other man. A gentleman in whom 
the people have always reposed the greatest 
confidence, we find in his ad\'anced age a 
large retinue of acquaintances throughout the 
county who are pleased to be called his friends. 
He was born at Evansville, Briarcreek town- 
ship, Columbia County, March 19, 1829, and 



is a son of Michael and Mary (Zahner) 
Bower. 

( )ur subject's grandf.ithcr, George Michael 
Bower, was born in Germany and came to 
this country at the uge of thirteen years, tak- 
ing up the occupation of a farmer. He first 
purchased a farm in the Lehigh Valley, l)Ut 
later settled in Columbia County where he 
purchased a partially-improved farm in Briar- 
creek township of a Mr. Disserand, a French- 
man. At the time, prior to the Nineteenth 
Century, that section was sparsely settled and 
there was but a single house where Berwick 
is ncnv located. Mr. Bower cleared some one 
hundred and twenty acres, wdiich land is now 
owned by Mr. John Fester, and there resided 
the remainder of his life. His wife's maiden 
name was Hill, and their miion resulted in 
the following offspring: Jacob; Michael; 
Solomon; Daniel; Phelina; and Catharine. 

Michael Bower, the father of our subject, 
as a youth was extremel}- precocious and al- 
though little opportunity in the way of 
schooling offered, he acquired a good edu- 
cation as a result of his indix'idual efforts and 
became a teacher, a position for which he 
proved well qualified, teaching in liis own 
home and in those of his neighbors. He 
learned to weave wool and flax, and followed 
weaving for some time, weaving for many 
families in his locality. He came into pos- 
session of a portion of the old home estate 
on which he erected a log house, and there he 
followed farming and reared a large family of 
children. He was united in matrimonial bonds 
with Mary Zahner, a daughter of George 
Zahner, who was also an early settler in Briar- 
creek township, and they had the following 
children : Sarah, the wife of William Whit- 
mire; Isaac; Reuben; Samuel C. ; Daniel; 
Hannah, wife of Henry Martz; George, who 
lives in Briarcreek township; Catharine, the 



266 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



wife of Charles Whitmire. who Hves in Center 
township; Enos, who died young; and Isaiali, 
tlie subject of this personal history. Mrs. 
Bower died at the age of sixty-eight years, 
and her husband died si* years later, in De- 
cember, 1862, at the age of eighty-two years, 
six months, both being buried at Evansville. 
Isaiah Bower early in life learned the trades 
of carpenter and machinist, following the 
former occupation but one year, when he be- 
came a machinist at the plant of The Jackson 
iS: W'oodin Manufacturing Company at Ber- 
wick. After continuing in that cai)acity for 
two and one-half years, he rented the plant 
and manufactured plows with much success, 
making the Bull plow, the Walker plow, and 
the Bower plow, which he patterned himself. 
The Ijuilding in which his establishment was 
located was situated where the casting and 
l)ipe factory of the Jackson & W'oodin com- 
l)any is now located, but has since been burned 
to the ground. In 1864, in association with 
Mr. M. E. Jackson and Air. H. R. Bower, 
and under the firm name of I. & H. R. Bower, 
he established a general merchandise store 
at the corner of Front and Mulberry streets. 
In 1870 Mr. Jackson disposed of his interest 
to the other members of the firm, who con- 
ducted it with the best results and also bouglit 
the ^'oke & Michael Agriculture Works, 
which they conducted until 1880. In that 
year they divided their business, H. R. Bower 
taking the store and our subject the manu- 
facturing plant which he oi)erated until 1884. 
In 1883 he built his present store, w'ith dwell- 
ing attached, located on the corner of Pine 
and East Second streets, and since 1884 has 
given his attention mainly to that business. 
He has a fine store and enjoys a large patron- 
age. He is a man of great enterprise and 
good judgment and the success which he has 
attained is due solelv to his own efforts. He 



owns fifty-six acres of the original family 
homestead on which he has erected substan- 
tial buildings; a farm of ninety-two acres 
which he bought from his brother; the Lay- 
man Morse farm of one hundred and twenty 
acres; and the Morteller farm. He has greatlx' 
improved all the farms and hires men to cul- 
tivate them, being a wonderfully busy man for 
his years. He has over twenty tenement 
houses in Berwick and Nescopeck. 

In 1850 Mr. Bower married Hannah Hag- 
enbach, a daughter of Simeon Hagenbach of 
Center township. They are faithful members 
of the United E\'angelical Church, in which 
Mr. Bower has held a number of of^ces. He 
has always lived an upright, honest, and tem- 
perate life, being a strong advocate of tem- 
perance. He has sympathy for the deserving 
and is very liberal in his charity. In political 
belief he was originally a Democrat, but for 
some years has been a Prohibitionist; he has 
served in official capacit)- as burgess of the 
borough, and has held numerous minor of- 
fices. 




ILTON W. BOTSFORD, a pronu- 
inent merchant of Nordmont, Sul- 
li\an County, is the eldest son of 
John C. and Martha (Pennington) Botsfonl, 
and was born in Davidson township, Sullivan 
County, Pa., August 17, 1849. 

John Botsford, great-grandfather of our 
subject, was the founder of the Botsford fam- 
ily in America. He was born in England, 
came to .\merica, and ser\ed in the French 
and Indian War. He was twice married and 
had two sons, John and Levi; the latter was 
accidentally killed at Utica, N. Y. The for- 
mer. John, grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, was born in Oxford County, Conn., 
and earlv in life was a glassmaker at Utica, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



257 



N. Y. He removed to Schuyler County, Pa., 
in 1S44. Having saved some money he next 
]iurL-hased sixty acres of forest land in Da\id- 
son township, Sullivan County, Pa., now 
owned by William M. Stephens. He engaged 
in clearing and cultivating the land, building 
a dwelling house and other buildings and es- 
tablishing a home for himself and family. He 
died at the age of eighty-four; his wife. Louise 
McEwen, lived to the good old age of ninety- 
two. They were blessed with five children: 
Louisa, Nancy, Emeline, Sarah, and John C, 
the father of our subject. 

John C. Botsford, father of Wilton W. 
Botsford, was born in Oneida County, N. Y. 
Early in life he bought a tract of land in La- 
porte township, cleared it, and there he has 
lived ever since, enjoying the reputation and 
success of a practical farmer. There he and 
his wife are spending their declining years in 
peace and in the same surroundings which 
characterized their years of toil. Their ages 
are, respectively, seventy-four and seventy-six 
years. Six children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Botsford, viz.: Milton W., our subject; 
Jesse, who is married and resides in Nebraska; 
Mary, who married William Stanley and re- 
sides at the Botsford homestead; Arthur, wdio 
married Ella Mosteller, and, together with 
Judson, who married Minnie Kimer, reside in 
Athens, Pa.; and Zenus. 

At the district school Milton W. Botsford 
obtained a good practical education, which he 
found of value to him in after years. After 
he left school he found employment in the 
lumber business for seven years, when he went 
into business for himself by starting a small 
store at L^nityville, Lycoming County, Pa. He 
continued at this business for eight years, then 
sold out and removed to Nordmont and pur- 
chased the C. \V. Reeder store and engaged 
again in the mercantile business. Li this en- 



terprise he was prospering when he received 
an unwelcome visit from fire September 11, 
1897. His store, also his house and barn, near 
by, were destroyed by the fire; but, out of the 
ruins rose a new^ building, typical country 
store, with genial Mr. Botsford again behind 
the counter. 

Mr. Botsford was united in marriage with 
Annie Hirleman, daughter of Henry Hirle- 
man of Waller, Columbia County, Pa. Their 
children : Rush, Ernest, Charles, who died at 
the early age of four years, Harry and Frank. 
The positions of honor and trust held by Mr. 
Botsford are the best evidences of the high 
esteem in which he is held by his frientis and 
neighbors. He has been elected at different 
times overseer of the poor, inspector of elec- 
tions, auditor and justice of the peace, and is 
at present postmaster, which j)osition he has 
held at Nordmont and L^nity\'ille for a period 
of twenty years. Our subject's wife is a faith- 
ful and willing worker in the United Evangel- 
ical Church. 




AY H. DAVENPORT, although a 
young man, is possessed of wonder- 
ful business ability and holds the 
responsible position of superintendent for the 
Berwick Store Company, Ltd., one of the 
largest department stores in the state of 
Pennsylvania. 

The store is located in a handsome three- 
story brick building which is heated by steam 
and lighted throughout by electric lights. 
The south side of the store is devoted to a 
large stock of groceries, crockery, hardware, 
confectionery, etc., wdiile the north room on 
the first floor is stocked with a complete line 
of men's furnishings in the front, and in the 
rear is a meat and produce market. The 



258 



ROOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



second floor is equi]1j)ecl with everything in 
the line of ready-nuuk' clothing', hats and 
caps, boots and shoes, and l)icycles. The tiiird 
floor is heavily stocked with a comprehensive 
line of household furnishings, having a great 
variet}- of the best furniture, carpets, curtains, 
(Irai)cries, etc. In the near \icinit\-, the com- 
pany has a large coal yard, also a store where 
are sold feed, flour and grain. In fact, every- 
thing that could be desired by the i)ublic is 
kci)t in this estabHshment, and thirty-five 
clerks, fl\e delivery-men, and eight book- 
keepers are constantly em])lo^•ed to care for 
the ever increasing business. The store is 
well arranged and everything is carefull}' 
systematized: the clerks are polite and cour- 
teous and it is a pleasure for customers to 
trade there. 

Ray H. Davenport, the subject of this re- 
view, was born February 4, 1874, in Craw- 
ford County, Pa., and is a son of Levi and 
Civil (Hills) Davenport. He remoxed to Ber- 
wick in 1 891 and became entry clerk in the 
store of Jackson & Woodin, serving in that 
capacity for five years. At the expiration of 
that time the firm was merged into the Ber- 
wick Store Company, Ltd., when our subject, 
on account of his thorough knowledge of the 
affairs of the firm, was made superintendent 
and has since faithfully performed the duties 
of that position. He is a man of marked 
abilit)- and has won not only the approval of 
his emploxers. l.)ut the confidence and respect 
of those under his supervision. 

Mr. Da\enport formed a matrimonial al- 
liance with Idella Bloss, a daughter of John 
Bloss of Berwick, and they are the happy par- 
ents of two children, name!)- : Donald H., 
and John B. Socially he is a member of the 
Knights of Malta, and Lodge No. 246, I. O. 
O. F., of Berwick. Politically Mr. Davenport 
is a Republican. 




SCAR LEWIS. The gentleman whose 
name heads this review is a highly es- 
teemed and respected citizen of Sulli- 
van County, Pa., and stands foremost among 
the representative agriculturists of Davidson 
township. He is an ideal farmer, owning one 
hunilred and fiftv-three acres of highly im- 
proved land located near the village of Nord- 
mont, and has been engaged in the prose- 
cution of that independent calling, farming, all 
his life. He was born in Sugarloaf township, 
Columbia County. Pa., March 3. 1838, and is 
a son of Da\id and Hannah (Robbins) Lewis, 
and a grandson of Daniel Lewis. 

Daniel Lewis was a native of the state of 
Xew Jersey and was a blacksmith by trade; 
early in life he became a resident of Sugarloaf 
township, Columl)ia Count}-, k)cating on 
Coles Creek: there he follow^ed his chosen 
occupation in connection with some farming. 
He was the father of the following children : 
l)a\i<l. .\brahani. Aaron. Anna. John, Isaac, 
Jacob, Sarah and Elizabeth. 

David Lewis, the father of our subject, was 
also born in New Jersey, and during his boy- 
hood da_\s he worked in his father's black- 
smith shop, serving an apprenticeship to the 
trade. He continued at that trade all his life. 
In 1838 he began the cultivation of the soil: he 
erected a sawmill, which he also operated. His 
homestead is now in possession of his son Jas- 
per. He was prominently known in his com- 
nnniity as a man of many sterling qualities and 
he enjoyed the respect of a large circle of 
friends. He dei)arted from this life in 1890 at 
the age of seventy-eight years. He was joined 
in marriage with Hannah Robbins and as a re- 
sult of the union ten children blessed their 
home, namely: Catherine: Elizabeth: Mary: 
Martha: Oscar: Clinton: Francis M.; Ja.sper: 
and two who died in infancw The niolher of 




ANDRKW A. HKIM. 




MRS. HESTER K. HEIM. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



263 



our subject passed from tliis eartli at the age 
of sixty-seven years. 

Our subject acquired a liberal education in 
tlie schools of his native township and left the 
parental roof at the age of twenty-six, shortly 
after his marriage, going to White Hall, Mon- 
tour County, Pa., where he worked at farm- 
ing. He soon returned to his native township, 
but remained there but a short time, when he 
remo\ed to Da\'idson township, Sullivan 
County, and rented the John Keeler farm for 
five years. At the ex])iration of that time he 
purchased his present property. Our subject 
has made many improvements upon the farm 
since taking possession of it. such as building 
a new house, new barns and outbuildings, anrl 
to-day his farm ranks among the best in the 
county. Mr. Lewis is enterprising, progres- 
sive, and is interested in all measures that 
tend to promote the welfare of the count)'; 
he is an honest, upright citizen and neighbor, 
and commands the respect and esteem of the 
entire community of which he has so long- 
been a valuable member. 

Mr. Lewis was imited in marriage with 
Catherine Haines, a daughter of Clark Haines 
of Columbia Countw and they are the proud 
parents of two daughters, as follows : Lizzie, 
wife of A. C. Shaw of Shickshinny, Pa., and 
they are the parents of one child, Ruth; and 
Edna, wife of C. Turney, and they have been 
blessed by two children. Myrtle and Grace. 
In politics Mr. Lewis is an ardent Democrat 
and served as supervisor during 1897-98; and 
as tax collector during 1898. 




XDREW A. HEIM, a capitalist and 
business promoter of Shamokin, who 
has been actively and prominently 
dentiticd with the industrial and financial his- 



tory of the ShauKjkin coal fields, is a son of 
John Jacob and Mrs. Christiana (^W'eingarten) 
Heim, nee IVIannal, and was born in the city of 
Philadelphia, October 11, 1828. 

His father, John Jacob Heim, was born in 
the Province of iVlsace-Lorraine, France, now 
of Germany, but later located in the Province 
of W'urtemberg, Germany, where he lived un- 
til 1826. He was one of Napoleon's soldiers 
and was one of the famous Reserve Corps at 
the Battle of Waterloo. Seeking a wider field 
for his industry and talents, in that vear he 
came to America, landing in the city of Balti- 
more, Md. Remaining there but a short time 
he removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where lie 
found employment at his trade, that of silk 
weaver. He married while a resident of that 
city and soon after located upon a farm near 
Muncy, Pa., subsequently locating in Dan- 
\ille. Pa., where he followed various lines of 
business. For some years he was superin- 
tendent of a factory in Danville, but at the 
time of his death in 1869 he was a resident 
of Sulli\an County. He was a man of pro- 
gressive ideas, far in advance of the majority 
of the people with whom he was thrown in 
contact at that day. The common school 
system met with decided opposition on the 
part of a large proportion of the people in his 
section, but in him it found one of its stanch- 
est friends and strongest advocates. At one 
time he was one of six in his township favor- 
ing its adoption, but by strenuous efiforts in 
behalf of the institution the six carried the 
day. So it was in all matters of public im- 
provements, such as canals, roads, etc.. he was 
always among the most potent ad\ocates of 
their adoption and promotion. Politically, in 
his earlv life, the father of our subject was 
inclined toward the Jacksonian school of 
Democracy, but the policy of the old line 
Whigs on the subject of internal improve- 



264 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



niciits appealed to his spirit of progressive- 
ness, and he affihated with the party of Clay 
and Harrison. Rehgiously lie was a consist- 
ent member of the Evangelical Church. He 
married before coming to the L'liited States 
and liad one son, Jacol), an agriculturist of 
I-'reeport, Til. His union with Mrs. Christiana 
Weingarten, nee Rfannal, resulted in the birtli 
of one son, tlie subject of this sketch. 

Andrew A. Heim had few edircational ad- 
vantages as liis was the day f)f the old "sub- 
scription" scIkkjIs, and when the ])ul)lic school 
system was adopted he attended but a short 
time, when he was called upon to tight his 
own \\a\" in the wmld. Howe\'er, he made the 
best of his oppi ntunities and obtained a fair 
schooling, whicli has been supplemented by 
carefid studx- f)f tlie events which happened 
from d;i\- to day and which have been re- 
corded in newspapers and other ])ublications. 
At the age of si.xteen Anchx'w was thrown 
upon liis own resources and he went to a vil- 
lage of 500 inhabitants which lias since grown 
into the city of Scranton, and there he was 
employed as a laborer in building the first 
rolling-mill in that vicinity. We ne.xt find him 
at Danville where he was similarly engaged 
for about six months, when he became an 
apprentice to learn the trade of carpenter. In 
1850 the coal industry was just being opened 
in llic \icinit\- of Trexcrton, and realizing 
that that section offered superior advantages 
for the plying of his trade, our subject went 
there and for two or three years was actively 
engaged in contracting and building. Most 
of the larger and more substantial buildings of 
that ])lace are yet standing as evidence of his 
early enterprise and genius. In 1853 he 
launched in another business enterpri.se, that 
of building coal-breakers, but also continued 
his former business as a contractor, carrying 
it on under the direction of a foreman or su- 



perintendent. Thus he continued until 1863 
when he moved to Shamokin and constructed 
the Rurnside Colliery for Stephen Bittenbend- 
er & Company. In the following year he re- 
built the Hear Valley Colliery and subsequent- 
ly operated it by contract: he also built and 
operated another colliery, the George Fales 
of the Hear \'allev Cnmpan\, o[)erating it by 
contract: he rented both in 1872, operating 
them for se\eral years in connection with 
others. In 1869-70 he built the Monitor Col- 
liery at Locust Gap but sold it tlie same year 
to (ieorge W. Johns & Brother. During the 
autumn of 1874. in association with a number 
of others, he opened up a soft-coal mine at 
KeynoldsN ille, Jefferson County. I'a.. and suc- 
cessfully operated it until 1884. In 1881 he 
and Mr. Audenried l)uilt what is known as the 
Black Ridge Colliery near Hazleton, Pa., 
which they operated until the fall of 1882, 
when they disposed of the plant. 

Recounting the facts of Mr. Heim's life is 
sufificient testimony to his activity and indus- 
try as a business man and a general business 
promoter. In addition to his identification 
with the coal industry he has been active in 
the promotion of other lines of business which 
have resulted in material benefit to the town 
of Shamokin. He has been prominently con- 
nected with the Shamokin Banking Company 
for years, having served as director, vice-presi- 
dent and president, lie also is a director of 
the Shamokin Manufacturing Company; of 
the Shamokin Industrial Company; is largely 
interested in real estate; and always has been 
acti\e in the ])r()motion of the town's inter- 
ests. In ]iri\'ate life ]\lr. Heim is held in the 
highest esteem and has many friends in the 
several localities in which he has resided. ()ur 
subject has been a member of the I. O. O. F. 
since 1855, and he is a prominent Mason, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



265 



l)eing a member of Suiibury Lodge No. 22. 
F. & A. M., and a Master Mason. 

When Lee attempted to invade Pennsyl- 
vania, at the time tlie great battle of Antie- 
tam was fought, Mr. Heim was elected a lieu- 
tenant of a company of his fellow-citizens 
which was hastily organized for the emergen- 
cv, but he declined the position and went out 
with the company as a sergeant. The com- 
])any was Company K, i8th Regiment. 

Mr. Heim was joined in marriage with Bar- 
bara Kester and unto them were born seven 
children, three of whom grew to maturity; 
Arthur ^\■illiam, a merchant tailor of Read- 
ing, Pa.: David \\"., assistant cashier of the 
Shamokin Banking Company; and Charles 
Franklin, who is engaged in the real estate 
business in Philadelphia. Our subject's first 
wife, Barbara, suffered intensely, her health 
having failed. She was for twelve years help- 
less and died in March, 1897, at the age of 
sixty-eight years. Mr. Heim married as his 
second wife Mrs. Hester Eisenhart, nee Kulp, 
who was born and reared on a farm three 
miles southeast of Sunbury and was a daugh- 
ter of Samuel Kulp. 

Politically Mr. Heim is a Republican and 
whilst he has never been an olTiceseeker in 
any sense, although frequently importuned to 
accept office, yet he always has taken a deep 
interest in the cause of good government. He 
was a Democrat up to 1856. but became a Re- 
publican on the organization of the party 
which succeeded the old ^^'higs. A\'hile in 
Trevorton he served as a school director, as 
poor director, and in 1858 was elected justice 
of the peace and served one term. 

Religiously Mr. Heim is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has 
been an active worker since he was nineteen 
years of age, having held various ot^ces. .\t 
the present time he is serving as trustee. 



On preceding pages, in connection with the 
above life history, the publishers of this work 
present excellent portraits of \lr. and Mrs. 
Heim. They will be viewed with interest by 
all the friends and accpiaintances of om- sub- 
ject and wife. 



OHX T. COLT, one of Northumber- 
land's most esteemed retired mer- 
chants, was born in that borough July 
8, 1827, and is a son of Alexander and Mary 
Ann (Taggart) Colt. 

Alexander Colt, our subject's father, was 
born at Cross Roads, in the western part of 
Chester County; his father was of Scotch- 
Irish descent, was banisiied from Ireland dur- 
ing the religious rebellion, came to this coun- 
try and settled in Chester County. Alexander 
Colt migrated to Northumberland, Northum- 
berland County, about 1820, in search of a 
place where he might settle and satisfy his 
aspirations, which were those of a thoroughly 
ambitious spirit. With no trade or capital he 
entered the employ of his uncle, Alexander 
Colt, a skilled blacksniith, and became him- 
self an adept blacksmith; in those days all 
wagon and carriage iron-work was done by 
hand, and in that line of work he became a 
skilled mechanic and succeeded his uncle, car- 
rying on the business at the corner of Water 
street and Weakley's alley. His wife, Mary 
Ann Taggart, who died in the prime of life, 
was a daughter of David Taggart. To them 
were born six children ; Sarah, who married 
John Brantigam; John T., our subject; Mary, 
wife of A. B. Barrett ; Susan, who married Dr. 
McKey; Henry, who married a ]\Iiss Keefer 
and is living in Philadelphia; and Deborah, 
who married John Chesney. Our subject's 
father was active in the politics of the bor- 



266 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



oULjli, siippiirtiii;;- tho NN'liii;' party and later 
IjecHJiiiing- a l\epul)licaii. He was a meml^er 
nf tlie Presln'terian Cluircli. He worked at 
liis trade for many years, accumulating' a tine 
property and spending in retirement the last 
few years of his life, which came to a close 
at the venerable age of eighty years. 

John T. Colt, our subject, was educated in 
the public schools and learned the black- 
smith's trade of his father and followed it for 
about thirty years at the corner of Queen and 
Im-ouI streets: then, selling out, he entered 
the mercantile business and continued in it 
until about 1889, keeping a general store, in 
which he was very successful. He erected sev- 
eral buildings, ])rinci]);d1y on Oucen street, 
and dealt in real estate. 1 le has remodeled his 
]M-esent residence, which is on Market street, 
facing the Ijeautiful I 'ark Scpiare. It was built 
about 1800 by James Lee. 

Our subject was united in marriage with 
Catherine Harri.son, a daughter of William 
Harrison, who was a member of a ])rominent 
family of the borough. Mr. and Mrs. Colt are 
the ])roud parents of two sons: John E., a 
much esteemed citizen, who carries on a large 
insurance Ijusiness, married Emma Kembell, 
and has three children, — Margaret, John and 
Catherine; and James, who assisted in his 
father's .store, and died at twenty-eight years 
of age. Mr^ Colt ser\ed many years as over- 
seer of the poor, was a member of the l:)orough 
council, and was treasurer of the borough for 
three years, and was also treasurer of tiie 
school board several years. He has been a 
member of the Knights of Pytliias for twenty- 
eight years, and during that time he has 
served, without any opposition, as treasurer: 
he is also a member of the Conclave. Our 
subject is a firm Re|niblican. In religious 
\ie\\s he is liberal. 




OR.\CE WILLI.\M BURG, M. D., 
is not onlv a leading and skilful physi- 

- V-cian and surgeon of X'ortlnmiberland 
County, but is also burgess of Xorthumber- 
land borough, and is regarded as one of the 
most active and energetic men of that place. 
He was born May 10, 1852, in Lower Wind- 
sor, York County, Pa., and is a son of Philip 
William and Mary A. (Eckert) P)Urg. 

Philip William Burg, our subject's father, 
was born in .\msterdam, Holland, and during 
the early part of his life, after locating in this 
country, carried on a very extensive tol)acco 
business in Baltimore, Md., and amassed a 
fortune. Selling out his business he pur- 
chased a very fine farm and grist-mill in Low- 
er Windsor townshi]>, York County, Pa., 
where he engaged in farming and milling for 
several years, and li\ed at the time of his 
death. He married Mary A. Eckert, a daugh- 
ter of Jacob Eckert of Northumberland. To 
them were born three children: Clinton, who 
died young: Horace William, our subject: 
and Somers, now deceased, who was engaged 
in mercantile business. Our subject's father 
was a Whig in his political preferences, and 
later a Republican. He served as justice of 
peace, besides officiating in many other minor 
offices. 

Horace William Burg, our subject, was a 
young lad when his mother, after the death 
of his father, returned to Northumberland, 
where she resided the remainder of her life. 
He attended the public and high 
schools there, and then attended the New Ber- 
lin Academy and Dickinson's Seminary at 
Williamsport, Pa., and also graduated from 
the W^illiamsport Commercial College in 1873. 
He read medicine with his uncle, Simon W. 
Burg, M. D., of New Berlin, and at a later 
period with Josejih i'riestly, M. D., of North- 
umberland. 1 le was graduated from Jefferson 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



267 



Medical College in 1877, and at once located 
in Northumberland and opened an office for 
the practice of his profession. His success in 
his chosen calling has been most gratifying, 
and to-day he stands pre-eminent among the 
best physicians and surgeons of the county. 
He has a very extensive practice in the sur- 
rounding country and is called upon to at- 
tend many cases in Sunbury. In 1875 Dr. 
Burg married Cora H. Simpson, a daughter 
of Col. A. C. Simpson, an attorney at Selins- 
grove, who formerly lived in Northumberland, 
Pa. These children have blessed our subject's 
union: Edwin; Stoddard; Mary Blanche, 
who died at the age of three years; one who 
died in infancy; and Dorothy. Dr. Burg re- 
cently enlarged his tine residence and bui'.t a 
new barn; he has also erected on the same lot 
a neat and commodious office with all modern 
improvements. He is a very active Democrat; 
he served one term as burgess some time ago 
and is now filling out the second year of the 
present term; he has also been assessor and 
has held many other minor offices, and in so 
doing he has contributed much to the prog- 
ress and improvement of the borough. 

Our subject. Dr. Burg, is of a social dispo- 
sition, and so has considered it both pleasant 
and profitable to become a member of the fol- 
lowing societies, in which he has served as an 
officer: Jr. O. U. A. M.; Knights of Pythias, 
and Conclave of the same order; and Ivnights 
of Malta. Professionally he is a member of the 
Sunbury Medical Society and of the American 
Medical Association. His wife is an Episco- 
palian, while he is inclined to be liberal in his 
religious views. 



-VVID CAMP, who is interested in sev- 
eral of the most important enterprises 
in Mount Carmel and formerly was a 
very prosperous merchant, is known as one of 



M 



the most enterprising and public-spirited resi- 
dents of Mount Carmel, this county. Mr. Camp 
is a son of Benjamin and Magdalena (Hink'e) 
Cam]) and was born November 22, 1834, in 
Elysliurg, Nortluunberland County. Pa. His 
paternal grandfather, Henry Camp, and ma- 
ternal grandfather, Abram Hinkle, were pio- 
neers who were farmers near Elysburg. Both 
died near Bear Gap and were buried in the 
Reed Church cemetery. Henry Camp and 
his wife reared a family of seven children: 
Benjamin, the father of our subject; Samuel; 
David; Laml)ert: Mary, who became Mrs. 
John Long; Sarah, who married Daniel Hill; 
and a daughter who was the wife of Daniel 
Bloom, all of whom are dead. 

The father of our subject, Benjamin Camp, 
was born in Northumberland County. He was 
a carpenter and builder by trade, also a farm- 
er, combining both occupations very success- 
fully. In 1837 he removed from his farm near 
Elysburg to the lower part of Columbia Coun- 
ty, this state, where he died in 1870 at the age 
of seventy-two years. In politics the father 
was an ardent Republican, having formerly 
been a Whig. Init he never sought office. He 
was an active and influential member of the 
Lutheran Church. To him and his beloved 
wife was born a family of twelve children, two 
of whom died in infancy, and the others were 
reared as follows: Abram; William, who was 
killed in a coal-breaker August 8, 1854, at 
Green Ridge, Pa.; Lavinia, widow of David 
Everett; Samuel, a farmer residing at New 
Media, Columbia County, Pa.; Benjamin, who 
is in the employ of the Dupont Powder Com- 
pany, at Ashland, Pa.; Daniel, who resides in 
r^Iount Carmel; David, the subject of this 
sketch; Mary, the wife of Jacob Gulp of \\'est 
Shamokin; Hannah, wife of Joseph Boyer of 
Mount Carmel; Sarah, who is Mrs. Joel Cox 
and resides near Millville, Columbia Countv, 
Pa. 



268 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Our sul)ject, David Cami), was reared in 
Coluniljia County and lie received a meagre 
education. lie attended a "subscription 
school" and up to the age of twenty-one years 
cducate<l himself by reading and hard study, 
at the same time learning liis trade as a car- 
|)enter with his father. \\'hen he reached his 
majority, in 1H54, David set out on his own 
account and removed to Bear Gap, remaining 
tliere two years; then moved to Mount Car- 
mel, where he resided one year; he then went 
to Ceiitralia. in i83(). where he conducted a 
drugstore for five years, doing unusually we'l 
in that and in his trade, building many of the 
largest coal-breakers. In 1872 Mr. Camp re- 
moved tf) Mount Carmel and engaged in the 
lumber business, in addition to following his 
trade as a builder. For thirteen years he was 
so engaged, building as many as thirty houses 
in one year and putting up many of the most 
substantial and modern residences and stores 
erected in Mount Carmel during the period of 
time referred to. He later engaged in the real 
estate business and, being far-sighted and a 
good judge of values, was very successful. In 
November, 1866, he engaged in business as a 
general merchant and for several years con- 
ducted one of the largest and best general 
stores in Mount Carmel. In 1894 he prac- 
tically retired from acti\e business operations 
and has since devoted part of his time to the 
interests he holds in some of the principal cor- 
])orations of Mount Carmel. 

Mr. Camp was one of the organizers and is 
president of the Mount Carmel Iron Works; 
he was one of the organizers of the Mount 
Carmel Banking Company and is its vice-pres- 
ident, which position he has faithfully and sat- 
isfactorily filled since the com]iany began busi- 
ness: he has been ])resident of the People's 
lluilding &: Loan Association since its forma- 
tion in 1894. 



In ])olitics our subject is an enthusiastic- and 
active Republican. In 1890 he was the nom- 
inee of his party for the legislature, but suf- 
fered defeat with the rest of the ticket of liis 
])arty, making a run, ho\ve\er. which amply 
demonstrated his great popularity with the 
\oters in the district. He has served as over- 
seer of the ])oor for two terms, as a member 
of the school board for two or three terms 
and as a member of the borough council sev- 
eral terms. l\lr. Camj) is a prominent mem- 
ber of Mount Carmel Commandery Xo. 22. 
Knights of Malta; also of Mount Carmel 
Lodge No. 378, F. & .V. M.. and Mount Car- 
mel Lodge No. 630, I. O. O. F. 

Twice has Mr. Camp been happily united in 
the marriage relation. His first marriage was 
to Lavinia Persing, daughter of Peter and 
Mar\- (Taylor) Persing of Columbia County, 
two children being born of the union : Ed- 
ward A., who is engaged in business in the 
Michigan copper region; and Robert E.. who 
resides in Mount Carmel. His second bride was 
Phoebe, sister of his first wife, by whom he 
has had a family of twelve children, seven of 
whom are living, as follows : Ida, wife of Rob- 
ert Davis, a merchant who does a prosperous 
business in Mount Carmel; Joseph, a i)attern- 
maker, who resides in Mount Carmel; Stella, 
May, Garfield and Carrie, who are at home; 
and George W., who is in the employ of the 
Mount Carmel Iron Works. The other chil- 
dren died in tiieir infancv. 



M 



R. JOHN A. ELLIOTT, the oldest 
leading physician and surgeon of 
X()rthuml)erland. Northumberland 
Count}-, Pa., was born in L^nion County, Pa., 
in 1842, and is a son (if William and Christiana 
(Knox) Elliott. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



269 



The paternal great-grandfallicr of our sub- 
ject was of Scotch-Irish extraction, located in 
Nortliumberland County when a young man, 
and worked at the carpenter trade. He was 
s;iid to be a very large man, over six feet in 
height and of powerful strength, but with a 
ciuiet disposition. He married between the 
ages of forty and forty-hve; his wife died at 
the birth of their only son, Alexander. After 
this our subject's great-grandfather formed a 
second marriage with a lady near Pottsville 
and resided there until his death. 

Alexander Elliott, the paternal grandfather, 
was born May 29, 1777, and at the age of four- 
teen years he was apprenticed to a hatter in 
Reading, Pa., where he remained until be was 
twenty-one. He then went into business for 
himself, and manufactured soft hats for several 
years. He died February 5, 1835. He mar- 
ried Mary Morrow and subsequently her sis- 
ter, Florinda Morrow. By the first marriage 
were born eight children, as follows : Benja- 
min J.; Mary; Thomas; Margaret; Sarah; 
William; Ann; and Samuel. By the second 
marriage were born three children: Simon, 
James, and Isabelle. 

Our subject's father, William Elliott, was 
born in NortJiumberland County, November 
5, 1 8 14, and was educated in the public 
schools. He worked for his father and learned 
the hatter's trade, Init, being dissatisfied and 
not wishing to follow in his father's footsteps, 
at the age of fifteen he started out for himself. 
He began at ditch digging, worked on the ca- 
nal and also at farming. During tlie winters 
he worked for his board and attended school, 
paying for his own tuition. In this way, get- 
ting a fair start, he carried on farming, and 
also owned and conducted a canal grocery. 
In company with Henry Wenck he bought a 
half interest in a grocery business and carried 
on a successful trade on the canal. This he 



conlinucd until the 1 'liil;ideli)hia & Erie Rail- 
road was opened, when he became the first 
agent, and afterwards did railroad contract- 
ing, building the Bennet's Branch, Oil Creek. 
Pa., and Erie, at Williamsport. Mr. Elliott was 
then aii])nintcd state canal commissioner and 
superintendent of the canal from Juniata Riv- 
er to Xorthuniberlanil, and later to .Milton. 
In 1880 he was elected to the State Eegisla- 
ture. This ambitious gentleman owned manv 
farms and several hundred acres of land which 
he kept in the l)est possible condition, .\mong 
the farms were those of C. Kohl; J. Heckard; 
Kaler; Oscar Leighon; W. H. Deihl; C. M. 
Stern; and also many others. He bought the 
Rev. Snn'th jM-operty, on the corner of W'ater 
and King streets, which was formerly owned 
by J. Jenkins. This property Mr. Elliott en- 
tirely remodeled into a large and modern four- 
story brick building, the largest in the county 
at that time. He was a member of the I. O. 
O. F. and a stanch Democrat, holding many 
borough ofSces and serving as school director 
for twenty-five years. Mr. Elliott was a man 
of noble character and lofty ambitions, and 
became one of the most prominent and re- 
spected men in his section of the state, and 
when his death occurred in 1896 he was great- 
ly mourned by all. He married Christiana 
Knox in 1837, and her death occurred at the 
age of sixty-one, in 1875. The children re- 
sulting from this union were: Emily, who 
married Charles Davis; Anna; May J., who 
married A. Hartley; and John A., our sub- 
ject. 

John A. Elliott, the subject of this biog- 
raphy, was educated in the public schools and 
at Freebury College. He read medicine with 
Dr. Beard and Dr. Kunca of New 
York, and was graduated from Bellevue 
College, New York, in 1874, practicing 
there for five years. At the end of 



270 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



tliat time he nioxed to Xortlnimberland, 
Xortliuinljerlaiid County, his present location, 
wliere. with liis thorough knowledge of his 
profession, he has built up one of the largest 
practices in the county. If it were not for his 
strong constitution and perfect health he 
would be unable to answer the numerous calls 
for his assistance. Dr. Elliott is a fine-looking 
man. with the (|uiet manners and tastes of a 
gentleman, and for his kindly, pleasant ways 
he is greatly loved and respected. He mar- 
ried Jennie Jackson, daughter of Mordecai 
Jackson of Berwick, and she departed this 
life at the age of twenty. Dr. Elliott resides 
on his father's homestead, where he also has 
liis office. For twenty years he has been a 
Mason, being a member in all the degrees to 
the K. T. He is also a chartei member of 



tlie Scotti.sli Rite of Bloomsburg. 




1<V. JOHN CH. KONSTANKIE- 
W'lCZ was born June lo, 1859, and 
iP V__ ^ rccei\-cd his education in .\ustria, 
completing four lower normal classes in Przce- 
mysl, and eight gymnasial classes in Lemberg 
and, passing an examination of maturity, he 
entered the theological department of the 
University of Lemberg. He completed the 
tlieological course in four years after which 
he was ordained by tlic IJishop of Przceniysl. 
.\fler ])assing examination of maturity, he 
ser\ed one year as a solicitor in the Austrian 
.\rniy according to the prescribed law of Aus- 
tria. 

.\fter being ordained our subject assumed 
the duties of an assistant in a church of Jaro- 
slaw, where he was also appointed by the 
minister of war to the office of army chaplain 
with the 20tli Regiment, Infantry, which of- 
fice he held for three years, after which he as- 
sumed cliarge of a parish in the village of 



; I'alin where he remained eight years. In 1893 
he came to the United States and located in 
Shamokin, Pa., and took permanent charge of 
the Russian Catholic Church. His work here 
and a brief history of the work of the church 
is here set forth : Philip Murdza, John Glowa, 
Alike Demczko, John Aladzelan and Anthony 
Luczkowec were the first Ruihenian immi- 
grants who came to Shamokin from Galicia, 
Austria, in 1880. Many others soon followed, 
but owing to their small numbers and lack of 
funds with which to build a church for them- 
selves and maintain a priest, they at first af- 
filiated with St. .Stanislaus Kostki's Polish 
Caliiolic Church, which financially assisted 
this church, and helped to maintain the priest 
thereof. 

The Ruthenians were illy treated, however, 
both by the priest and many of the Poles; the 
chief cause of this la_\- in the difference be- 
tween the Polish and Russian rites, although 
both classes are Catholics, having the same 
religious beliefs and the Holy Father for the 
highest authority of the church. The Ruthen- 
ians. nevertheless, use their mother tongue, 
the ancient Slavonic language, in all their 
church rites. This language is understood by 
all Ruthenians: while the Poles use the Latin 
language in all their church rites. The dis- 
satisfaction thus created compelled the Ruth- 
enians to erect their own church edifice. En- 
ergetically setting to work and raising the 
necessary funds in their own midst, they suc- 
ceeded in seeing the desires of their souls com- 
pleted in J 889, corner of Pearl and Pine 
streets. The same year the church was con- 
secrated by Rev. John Wolanski, the first Rus- 
sian Catholic priest in America, holding at 
that time the pastorate of the Russian Catho- 
lic Church at Shenandoah, Pa. He adminis- 
tered to this church until 1890 when, accord- 
ing to the request of the parishioners. Rev. 




HENRY EYRE DA\IS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



273 



Th. Obuszkiewicz came to Shamokin; he how- 
ever remained only one year, when he moved 
to Oliphant, Pa. 

In accordance witli tlie ardent desires of the 
Russian parishioners, Rev. J. Ch. Konstankei- 
wicz was sent here from Europe by superior 
authority and took charge of the parish, May 
I, 1893, and has since remained at the head of 
the church. Thenceforth tiie parish increased 
in property and grew in number of parish- 
ioners until to-(hu' the numl)er in tlie congre- 
gation reaches 1,300 and the vakie of church 
property exceeds $15,000. The church prop- 
erty includes the following : Church building, 
the parsonage at Franklin and Pine streets, 
cemetery, two lots located near the Catholic 
Parocliial School building between Shamo- 
kin and Franklin streets, — these lots were pur- 
chased from John Mullen for $8,000 and upon 
this will be built a church and parsonage as 
soon as sufficient funds are raised. Connected 
with the church are four societies with a mem- 
bership of 630, a reading department, a band, 
a political club, and a school. Children attend 
the parochial school for three years in order 
to familiarize themselves with the native 
tongue antl subsequentlx- enter the public 
schools. 



igj b:NRY EYRE DAVIS. Judging by 
"^^ results there seems to be something 
'in the atmosphere of Pennsylvania 
which develops talent for practical affairs. In 
every section of the Commonwealth there are 
to be found young men who ha\e disclosed 
tact and capacity for business enterprises, and 
without the class schooling, which is applied 
elsewhere, they master the details and concpier 
the intricacies of commercial life. Among 
those who have conspicuously achieved this 
distinction is Henry E. Davis, of Sunburv, 



Pa., whose portrait precedes this .sketch. He 
was born in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, on 
June 7, 1845, 'i"d is a son of James K. and 
Agnes (Swineford) Davis. He was always a 
bright and industrious boy. He received his 
rudimentary education in the public schools, 
and took a course in the Selinsgrove Mission- 
ary Institute, a nujdest but efficient institution 
of learning, which won deser\ed praise in the 
state in its time. 

At the age of t\\ ent)- years young Davis be- 
gan his business career and has been active 
in affairs ever since. His hrst experience was 
as clerk in a store in his natix'e town, in 
which position he served one year. Then he 
removed to Meadville. Pa., where he obtained 
a position in a large retail dry goods store 
and remained a year. In 1867 he entered the 
First National Bank of Sunbury, Pa., the most 
extensive institution of its kind in that section. 
He remained there some years and mastered 
every detail of the business. But the arduous 
nature of the work impaired his healtli and 
he was compelled to relinquish the position 
and seek employment of a less confining char- 
acter. 

In 1871 he became the representative of 
Hall Brothers & Co., a Baltimore firm, which 
was the sole agent for the sale of anthracite 
coal mined jjy the Mineral Railroad & Mining 
Company and the Lykens Valley Coal Com- 
])an_\-, both companies being owned and con- 
trolled by the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany. His district eml)raccd Pennsvlvania 
and the West, and his office was located in 
Sunbury. He held this important relation to 
the business interests of his community for 
ten years. At the expiration of that time he 
severed his connection with the firm he served 
so long, so faithfully and so well, and went 
into the business of buying and shipping an- 
thracite coal on his own account. The venture 



274 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



met with o;ratifyin,s; success from the outset, 
and has been prosecuted with characteristic 
energy ever since. Some years ago he added 
to liis jjusiness tlie industry of mining and 
slii])])ing l)ituminous coal from mines which 
he acquired in Somerset County, Pa. 

Mr. Davis has always been one of the most 
progressive citizens of his adopted home, and 
every enterprise which promises the promo- 
tion of the business and the develo))ment of 
the material interests of the connnunity has 
found in him a willing ])romoter. He was first 
president of tlie Sunbury & Northumberland 
Street Railway, which was built by Hon. S. P. 
WoKerton. F. P. Aljcrcomljie and himself. 
He is president and general manager of the 
Bethel Coal Company, of Somerset County, 
Pa.; a director of the First National Bank of 
Sunburv. the institution in which he spent 
sc\eral )'ears of his early life; and a director 
of the First National Bank of Selinsgrove. 
I ic was also |)resident and one of the foremost 
promoters of the Sunbury Electric Light & 
Power Company, which was among the first 
and is now among the most perfectly equipped 
electric plants in the Connnonwealth. In ad- 
dition to that he has always been among the 
lirst and most active men in the community to 
achocate progressive ideas and improvements 
in the affairs of the town, and many of the 
advanced stejis which mark Sunbury as 
among the leading towns in the interior of the 
state are traceable to his enterprise and fore- 
sight. He is a trustee of the Mary M. Packer 
Hospital of Sunbury. 

Mr. Davis is an acti\c and earnest Demo- 
crat. Naturally a m:in of his progressive 
spirit would be called upon by his party to 
serve in official capacity, and he has proved 
himself not only useful, but faithful, in the 
discharge of nnuiicip;il functions imposed on 
him in town council, the school board and 



other honorary cajiacities. He has frecpiently 
been delegate to state and county conven- 
tions, and has discharged every trust which he 
has accepted with scru])ulous fidelity and not- 
able intelligence. But he lias never consented 
to take an office of emolument, and to those 
who have suggested such compliment his in- 
variable answer has been that he had too much 
business to attend to, to .sacrifice his time in 
the discharge of i)ublic diUies, which there 
were plent\' of competent persons willing to 
assume. But while he thus abstained from 
political aspirations on his own account, he 
has always been zealous and active in the ad- 
vancement of his frientls, and thus exercised 
an important intlucnce in the affairs of the 
county. 

Of honorary offices, however, he has had a 
full share, and in 1876 the Democrats of 
Northumberlantl Countv named him for state 
senator, but he readily yielded the district 
nomination to his friend, Hon. A. H. Dill. 
When Mr. Dill resigned to become the Demo- 
cratic candidate for governor two years later, 
the eyes of the party naturally turned to Mr. 
Da\is. but he was among the first earnest ad- 
vocates of Hon. S. P. Wolverton. In 1878 he 
was a member of the state committee, and in 
1880, during the Hancock campaign for presi- 
dency, was on the electoral ticket for the 
Twenty-seventh Congressional District. In 
1886 he was one of the secretaries of the 
Democratic State Convention, and was an 
earnest advocate of the nomination of Hon. 
\\'illiam A. Wallace for governor. In 1898 he 
received the Democratic nomination for Con- 
gress. He has always been a liberal contribu- 
tor to the party campaign funds and is regard- 
ed by the Democratic leaders of the state as 
one of the safest party counsellors and most 
sagacious political advisers. 

On October 18, 18C9, Mr. Davis was mar- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



275 



ried to Kate C. Haas, a member of one of the 
most respected families of Simbury. The fruits 
of the union are two accomplished daughters, 
Helen A. and Alary C. Mr. Da\is lives with 
iiis family in a beautiful and comfortable home 
in Sunbury, the hospitalities of which he takes 
delight in dispensing to strangers visiting the 
town. 




f» 1 RS. ANNIE P. TAGGART, an es- 
timable lady and esteemed resident 
of Northumberland, Northum- 
berland County, Pa., is the widow of Col. 
David Taggart, both being descendants of the 
pioneer settlers of Northumberland County. 

The great-grandfather of our subject's hus- 
band was Thomas Taggart, who was united 
in marriage with Mary Vanderbilt. Thomas 
Taggart was born in Ireland May lo, 1728, 
and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He immi- 
grated to the United States and settled, with 
his brother Robert, in Philadelphia, where he 
engaged in the mercantile business. In 1775. 
when Northumberland was becoming a cen- 
ter of this section, although there were but 
few houses in the village, Mr. Taggart moved 
there with his wife, who was a native of Phil- 
adelphia, and entered the mercantile business. 
His store was located on the corner of Queen 
and Front streets, and, being a man of means, 
he became the leading merchant of the place. 
He died April 13, 1788, and liis wife died in 
1805. Their children were: Elizabeth, born 
June 15, 1753, married \\'illiam Bonham; 
Christiana, born May 12, 1755, married Mr. 
Staple; Robert, born February 13, 1757; 
John, born June 30, 1759, died in infancy; 
Catherine, born September 6, 1760, married 
Capt. J. Painter; Thomas, born January 16, 
1762; Mary, born January 19, 1765, marriel 
Mr. Patterson: John, born July 11, 1767, died 



young; David, born Fel)ruary 21, 1769; Wil- 
liam, born October 3, 1771, died in infancy; 
William, born August 6, 1773; M. James, born 
January i, 1780. 

David Taggart, the paternal grandfather, 
was born in Philadelphia. He was a mer- 
chant, very ]jrominent in politics, being an 
unswerving Democrat, and though a very 
young man, was actixe in all business and 
political affairs. He died at an early age, May 
17, 18 1 2. He married Mary McCalla of 
Bucks County, Pa., who was born September 
13, 1764, and attained a good age. Several 
children resulted from this union, namely : 
John, born Ajiril 12. 1796; James, who be- 
came a prominent merchant and owner of 
packets on the canal; Mary, who married 
Ale.xander Colt; and Sarah, who married L. 
C. McCormick. 

John Taggart, our subject's father-in-law, 
was a well-educated man. One of his tirst 
business enterprises was the large brewery 
which was located near the steamboat land- 
ing, but later was sold to give place to the 
canal, and Mr. Taggart was appointed canal 
commissioner by Gov. Joseph Ritner. He 
married Hannah Collon Huston, and their 
children, all prominent men and women, are 
as follows: Col. David; Matthew Hus- 
ton, born February 18, 1824. teacher, at- 
torney, merchant and nail manufacturer, who 
married thrice, to Rebecca McCurly, Eliza- 
beth McCurly and Ella G. Royer, respectively; 
Hannah, born September 10, 1827, married 
Dr. Joseph Priestly; James, born February 4, 
1827, who served in the Rebellion, and when 
he received promotion to captain formed 
Company B, 5th Pa., in his own store. The 
elder John Taggart was charter member, 
stockholder and director of the First National 
Bank at Northumberland, and was a'so presi- 
dent of the bank from April 30,' 1840, to No- 



276 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



\-eiiiI)cr 2Ct. 1850. rcsii;iiiiiS4' at tlie end of that 
time. lie married Hannali C. Huston of 
I'liiladelijliia, who was Ijorn in Berks County, 
I 'a., h'ebruary 22, 179''), and was a daughter 
of Matthew^ and Hannah (Cox) Huston. Their 
children were: John K., born November 12, 
]82Q. became clerk in the paymaster's depart- 
ment in the army; Mary, born June 13, 1831; 
and Francis A., born February 26, 1833, who 
for many years has been employed in the 
office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
at I'hiladelphia. 

Col. David Tas^-.^art, our subject's husband, 
attended the connnon schools and the acade- 
mies at Dickinson and .Milton, and then read 
law with Ebenezer Greenough of Sunbury. 
He began the practice of his chosen profession 
in NorthumI)erlan(l, Xorthumberland County. 
I 'a., and later in life was a])pointed paymaster 
in the regular army, serving many years in 
the West and South, and giving entire satis- 
faction until he resigned. Col. Taggart was 
verv much interested in agricultural life, and 
for some years was president of the Pennsyl- 
vania State Agricultural Society. He was 
nominated and ran for governor of the state, 
but was defeated by A. G. Curtin. Col. Tag- 
gart was elected to the State Senate beforfe 
the war and served three terms, the last three 
years as speaker of th:it body. He was also 
chairman of the Whig State Central Commit- 
tee; also served as school director and held a 
number of offices in the borough. His death 
occurred on June 30, 1888, and he was much 
mourned by all in the community. On May 
5, 1848, he married .'\nnie P. Cowden, a 
(laughter of John FT. and Hannah (Pleasants) 
Cow'den. 

John H. Cowden, our subject's father, was 
born in Northumberland County, and was a 
son of John Cowden, who was Isorn in Ireland 
and came to this country and settled in North- 



umlierland County, becoming one of the ear- 
liest merchants in that section. He was post- 
master from 1795 uiuil January 12, 1837. His 
store and residence was sold in 1836, when he 
retired from business. He married Sarali 
Hopewell, and they both lived to an old age. 
Their children were: an infant son, unnamed; 
Elizabeth, who married Dr. ^\'allace; Debor- 
ah, who married a Scotch artist, Willi;un Mc- 
Quliar, who painted a miniature portrait of 
Robert Burns, the poet, from life; Sarah, who 
married Judge Merrill of New Berlin, Pa.; 
Mary, who married Judge Bradford; Rebecca, 
who marrietl James Hepburn; John, our sub- 
ject's father; and Amia M., who married 
Judge Donaldson. 

John H. Cowden, the father of our subject, 
was a merchant, also president of the West 
liranch Bank at Williamsport. He was a very 
successful business man and amassed a large 
fortune. For some years he was owner of 
the beautiful Packer Island. He departed this 
life at the age of sixty-fom-; his wife, formerly 
Hannah Pleasants, died at the age of twent_\-- 
seven. They were blessed with four children, 
as follows: John, who died at the age of forty- 
six; Annie Pleasants, our subject; Sarah H., 
who married Capt. James Taggart ; and Han- 
nah P., who lives in West Virginia, and mar- 
ried \\'illiam Potter Withington. 

Since Col. Taggart's death, Mrs. Taggart 
has bought the Martin property on Queen 
street, where she now resides. Her children 
are: Helen T.. who married Da\id H. Clark, 
now deceased, and lixes in New York 
City; John C, who dietl at the age of six 
years; Hannah C. H., of Northumberland. 
Pa.; and James, a farmer of Northumberland, 
Pa. Mrs. Taggart is a woman of great re- 
finement and of admirable character and dis- 
position. She has a taste for literary work 
and is a splendid conversationalist. Through- 




STANLEY S. MERITHEW. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



279 



out the vicinity she is known and loved for her 
ki r.d and charitable deeds. 




TAN LEY S. MERITHEW. an en- 
terprising and progressive farmer 
and business man of Forks town- 
sliip, SulUvan County, Pa., whose portrait is 
shown on the opposite page, is a veteran of 
tlie Ci\il \\'ar, in wliicli he participated in 
many engagements and estabhslied an excel- 
lent record for bravery and coolness in the 
time of danger. He is a son of Merritt and 
Polly (Northru])) Merithew, and was born in 
Wysox township, Bradford County, I'a., in 

1837- 

Our subject is of English descent, his great- 
grandfather, Merritt Merithew, having come 
from England and located in Salem, Mass., 
early in the eighteenth century. His grand- 
father was Samuel M. Merithew, who was 
born in Salem, Mass., in 1752, and removed 
to Wysox township, Bradford County, Pa., 
in 181 2, and purchased what is now known as 
the Strickland farm. Though well advanced 
in years, he continued to follow- the occupa- 
tion of a farmer until he was four-score-and- 
five years of age. He then went to live with his 
son-in-law, James English, at whose home he 
died in 1849, having attained the rare age of 
ninety-seven years. He was the progenitor 
of the following children: Hiram; Samuel; 
Lydia; Merritt; Lafayette; Lloyd; and Delia. 
Politically, he was a Democrat; his religious 
opinions conformed with the doctrines of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Merritt Merithew, the father of our subject, 
was born in Salem, Mass., in 1810, and was 
but two years old wdien he moved to Pennsyl- 
vania with his parents. Pie was reared on his 
father's farm and obtained what education 



he could pick up, for the public-school system 
was not then in existence. At an early age 
he learned the trade of a whipmaker and also 
that of a shoemaker and, although he was 
practically a farmer by occupation, he fol- 
lo\ve<l those trades off and on throughout life. 
While in the prime of life he purchased what 
was known as the William Hinman farm in 
Monroe township, Bradford County, which 
consisted of one hundred acres on the Burling- 
ton turnpike. This property he cultivated 
until 1866, when he disposed of it to our sub- 
ject. Politically, he was always a loyal and 
unswerving Republican and always voted for 
the principles and candidates of that [)arty. 
Religiously, he was a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church. He formed a matri- 
monial alliance with Polly Northrup, by 
whom he had the following children : Phoebe, 
who married U. M. Cox; Wealthy Jane, the 
wife of C. F. Yonkin, of Forks township; 
Charlotte, who died in 1848; Rosanna, who 
married A. R. Moe, of Tompkins County, N. 
Y., — Mr. Moe is dead and his widow resides in 
Rochester, N. Y. ; Stanley S. ; George, who 
married Mary Goss, and now li\es at Towan- 
da; and John, wdio married Mary AVilliams, 
and also lives at Towanda. Mr. Merithew was 
called to his final rest in 1879. 

Stanley S. Merithew obtained his education 
in the common schools of Wysox townshi]j 
and in the old academy at Towanda. Soon 
after leaving school he learned the trade of a 
miller, which he followed at different times for 
many years. In 1863 he enlisted in the 34th 
Reg., N. Y. Independent Battery, and ren- 
dered distinguished ser\'ice in the following 
battles: Vicksburg, Miss., July 4, 1863; Siege 
of Jackson, Miss.; Blue Springs, Tenn.; Len- 
oir Station, Tenn.; Campl)ell Station; Siege of 
Knoxville; Rutledge; Wilderness; Spottsyl- 
vania; on the left of Spottsyhania; North 



280 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Anna; Salem Church: Gaines' Farm; Cold 
Harbor; and Ijefore rcterslnn-.i^, June i8. 
1864. and remained there nine months and 
sixteen days, until Lee's surrender, lie \<'as 
mustered out Jmie ij . 1865. at Hart's Island. 
X. v., after which he returned to Bradford 
County. I'a.. locating at Monroeton, where 
he was made postmaster. In 1873 he bought 
a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of coal 
and wood land in W'estover township, Clear- 
field County, I'a., which he still owns and 
which is a valuable estate. In 1883 our subject 
moved to Campbellville. Sidli\-an County, and 
in the same year was appointed assistant 
postmaster there, which office he held for thir- 
teen years, in connection with which he oper- 
ated a flour and feed mill, w hich is now ow ned 
by Norton & Hotteinstein. In 1896 he rented 
the F. C. W'cuck farm, consisting of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres, in the northwest part 
of Forks townshi]), upon w hich he is now loca- 
ted. Besides engaging in general farming he 
conducts a general store, which is well patron- 
ized. He is widely known throughout that 
section and is highly resjiected by all with 
whom he comes in contact. 

Mr. Merithew was united in marriage with 
Mary Ellen Rockwell, a daughter of .Mien and 
Catherine (Cole) Rockwell, who were the par- 
ents of the following offspring: William: 
Lemuel; Liza; Elizabeth; Franklin; ^lary; 
Ellen: Sally; and Reuben. Our subject and 
his wife are the proud i)arents of three chil- 
dren, namely: Portus L., who married Rose 
lUdlock; George X.. deceased; and Hattie 
lielle, whose union with Charles Phflaum is 
blessed witli three children, — Portus Leon, 
Genevieve, and Wilhelmina. Politically Mr. 
Merithew is strongly affiliated with the Re- 
|)id)lican party, the principles of which he be- 
lieves to be the foundation upon which rests 
the future ])rosperity of our coimtry. .Sociall\- 




he is past grand-master of Burnside Lodge 
No. 679, I. O. O. F., and a member of Swarlz 
Post, No. 72, G. A. R., of .Vlbany, Pa. 



^1 VX. \\1LLI.\.M E. FISCHER, the 
esteemed and honored pastor of Trin- 
ity Lutheran Church of Shamokin. 
Northumberland County, is a son of John 
Henry and Eliza (Gilbert) Fischer. He was 
born October 6, 1849, in Berlin, Somerset 
County, Pa., and received a practical educa- 
tion in the ])ublic schools of his nati\e ])lace. 
-After teaching a couple of years in Somerset 
County he entered the preparatory depart- 
ment of the Pennsylvania College, from 
which he graduated in 1872. Having decided 
to fit himself for the ministry he entered the 
theological seminary, graduating in 1875. He 
at once took charge of a congregation at 
Center Hall, where he was so well liked by 
his parishioners that they retaine<l him for 
eighteen years. 

September 14, 1893, our subject accepted 
the pastorate of Trinity Lutheran Church at 
Shamokin, where his labors are fully ajipre- 
ciated by his congregation. His labor in 
Shamokin has been fruitful of much good, 
both in his church and the community at 
large. Being a man of more than ordinary 
ability, of warm and generous heart, supple- 
mented with dee|) conxictions and Christian 
fer\or, he is the frivnd of all. In times of 
trouble and dee]) distress he is with his people 
in heart and full sympathy: on joyful occa- 
sions no one adds more to the pleasant hour. 
He has made many changes and improve- 
ments in the church, having thoroughly re- 
modeled the edilice. His popularity and suc- 
cessful management are shown in the fact that 
the mendjership of the chiu'ch has been great- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



281 



Iv increased, having now 654 members en- 
rdllcil. I\e\'. Mr. Fisciier also enjoys the dis- 
tinction of having rare literary talent and lias 
l)een a regular correspondent for two of the 
church papers of his denomination for the past 
sex'en years. lie also has prepared a number 
of Children's Day services in music, and con- 
tributes many articles to the Lutheran Quar- 
terly. Since his connection with the ministry 
he has served the church as delegate to the 
general synod about twelve times. His serv- 
ices are frecjuently sought to make addresses 
on public occasions, such as commencements, 
anniversaries, etc. In 1897 the Suscpiehanna 
Uni\-ersity conferred upon him the degree of 
Doctor of Dixinity. Our subject is one of a 
family of twelve children, many of whom have 
led remarkable careers and deserx'e a place in 
this sketch, as does also his father, a man of 
superior education and ability. 

John Henry Fischer, father of our subject, 
was a native of Germany, and was l)orn at 
Hessen Cassel, on the River Lahn, in 1812. At 
the age of twenty he immigrated to America 
and first located near Berlin, Somerset Coun- 
ty, Pa., and afterward mo\'ed to Berlin. He 
was a man of more than ordinary education 
and for years was a correspondent for a Ger- 
man paper published in Germany in the home 
of his boyhood. He was a shoemaker by trade 
and when not occupied at his bench he pur- 
sued his literary work. He was a close stu- 
dent and a careful reader, thereby acquiring 
much valuable information. Being a devout 
member of the Lutheran Church he took 
<|uite an active part in all church work. Eliza- 
l)eth Gilbert became his wife; she also was 
born in 1812, and survived her husband twen- 
ty-one years, he having departed this life in 
1872. while she lived until September 11, 1893, 
having reached the advanced age of eighty- 
five years. Our subject and the following- 



named are the most prominent of their nu- 
merous family: Henry, who was a graduate 
of the Millersville State Normal School, and 
afterward held the important and respon- 
sible office of county superintendent of 
schools of Bedford County. Pa.. — he dis- 
charged the duties of this office with rare abil- 
ity for three terms and is now principal of the 
Seventeenth Ward schools of Pittsburg; John, 
who read law, published a paper for a number 
of years in Bedford County, Pa., now resides 
with a son. who is a very successful attorney 
at Altoona, Pa., — he has been promi- 
nent in Bedford County politics and frequent- 
ly mentioned for the legislature; Rev. A. H. 
Frank, who took a college course at the 
Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, after 
which he prepared himself for the ministry by 
taking a complete theological course at the 
Gettysburg Seminary, — he graduated in 1883. 
and since then has labored in the "\'ineyard 
of our Master," now being located at Eastou. 
Pa. ; Toliias. whom the goddess of Fortune 
guarded with a jealous arm, was a soldier in 
the Union Arm\- and passed through the en- 
tire Civil War. — he was taken prisoner by the 
Rebels and carried by them to the famous 
Libby Prison, and to Salisbury, N. C. from 
which he escaped; Philip, a popular editor of 
an educational journal, resides in California, 
and has served as comity superintendent of 
Alameda County, Cal.. for three years. 

Our subject was united in marriage with J. 
Annie Phil.son, and their home has been made 
happy by the presence of three children : 
Marion L.; Ella P.; and William B. 




ILLL\M F. JOHNSON, who has 
been ser\ing in the responsible po- 
sition of inside-foreman at Buck Ridge Col- 
liery since 1888, enjoys the distinction of hav- 



282 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ing traveled extensively throughout Europe, 
Australia, and India. He is a son of 
Matthew and IMartha (Foster) Johnson, and 
was born July 6, 1851, in Cramlington, North- 
umberland County, England. 

\\' hen two years old our subject was taken 
to Australia by his parents where he was 
reared and educated in the common schools. 
In 1867 he returned to England, but shortly 
afterward located in Westphalia, Germany, 
where he was engaged in what was termed 
"sinking" in connection with coal mining. He 
remained in Germany mitil 1873, at that time 
immigrating to this country and locating in 
Dear Valley, Northumberland County, Pa, In 
1875 he accepted a position at Reynoldsville, 
Jeffersop County, Pa., as foreman for Heim 
& Goodwill, where he remained until 1876; 
returning to Bear Valley, he continued to 
work there until the company sold out to the 
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- 
pany, after which he was inside-foreman at 
the same colliery until 1888, when he was 
transferred to his present position at Buck 
Ridge. Deeds speak louder than words, and 
the fact that he has retained his position for 
the past ten years is high tribute to his abilit}' 
and worth. 

Matthew Johnson, father of our subject, 
was never in America, but left England for 
Australia in 1853, located in Ballarat, and en- 
gaged in mining gold. He returned to Eng- 
land in 1867 and remained there until his 
death, which occurred in 1874, at the age of 
forty-eight years. He had a family of five 
children, whom he named: John, formerly a 
miner, now a merchant in Shamokin, Pa.; 
Matthew, now a gold miner in the mountains 
of Colorado; Susan, wife of Thomas Graves, 
and resides in England; Martha, who is a 
head-nurse in an asylum in England; and 
William F., the sidjject of oiu" sketch. 



A\'e now return to our subject, who was 
miited in marriage with Margaret Jane Good- 
will, daughter of John Goodwill and niece of 
Robert Goodwill, whose sketch api)ears else- 
where in this volume. Our subject and his 
estimable wife are blessed with a family of six 
boys: Matthew, who married Elizabeth Jones, 
resides in Shamokin, and is a water-tender in 
the employ of the Philadelphia & Reading 
Coal & Iron Co., at Buck Ridge Colliery; 
John, who married Agnes Daniels and is a 
miner at Buck Ridge; Robert, a pump engi- 
neer at the same mines; Franklin, Sidney and 
William, who are at home preparing them- 
selves for the battle of life by getting a good 
education. Politically our subject is an ear- 
nest Republican and believes the principles of 
that party will best advance the interests of 
his countrv. 



M 



R. JOHN C. FAUGHNAN, a skilful 
veterinary surgeon of Shamokin, Pa., 
was born April 17, 1865. in Lycom- 
ing County, near Williamsport, Pa., and is a 
son of Frank and Fanny (Crimmis) Faugh- 
nan. 

Frank Faughnan, the father of our subject, 
was a native of Ireland, but came to the 
United States about 1848, and died where our 
subject was born and reared, at Bodines, Ly- 
coming County, Pa. 

Dr. John C. Faughnan, our subject, was 
educated in the common schools of his native 
place, worked upon the farm where he was 
reared and then engaged in the lumber busi- 
ness at the age of sixteen years, which he con- 
tinued six years. At the age of twenty-tw'o 
he entered the veterinarj- department of the 
Cni\ersity of Pennsylvania, remaining there 
one \ear: then he entered the Ontario \'eter- 




ROBERT M. CUMMINGS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



285 



inary College of Toronto, Canada, from which 
he was graduated in 1890. In the spring of 
1891 he located in Shamokin. Pa., where he is 
now practicing his profession. Since January 
18, 1896, he has also engaged in the livery 
business. Dr. Faughnan is a memher of the 
Veterinary Association of Schuylkill \'alley. 
Pa. 

In the spring of 1891. just prior to our suh- 
ject's removal to Shamokin, he was appointed 
assessor of Gamble township, Lycoming" 
County. 




OBERT M. CUMMTXGS, a promi- 



nent and well-known attorney-at-law 
''^^ of Montandon, Northumberland 
County, Pa., a recent portrait of whom ap- 
])ears on the opposite page, was born in Chil- 
liscjuaque' township November 21, 1833, and 
is a son of ^^'illiam and Hannah (Erwin) Cum- 
mings. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
John Cummings, was of Scotch-Irish descent, 
and was born in Londonderry, Ireland, immi- 
grating to this country with his fifteen l)roth- 
ers and settling in Chester County, Pa. He 
was commissioned captain of a company in a 
Chester County regiment and served in 
the Revolutionary \\'ar until its close. 
In 1794 he went to Chillisquaque town- 
ship, Northumberland County. There he 
bought between 300 and 400 acres 
of land, which had been taken u]) by Peter 
Boor in 1769. On this land Mr. Cummings 
carried on farming, after it had been cleared 
and improved generally, and also built and 
conducted a distillery. Part of this land he 
divided with our subject's father, and it was 
on this farm that Mr. Cummings departed this 
life, at the age of eightv years. His wife, whose 



maitlen name was Elizabeth Church, lies be- 
side him in the Northumberland cemetery. 
Their children were: Ann, born April 29, 
1782, died November 29, 182 1, married a Mr. 
Fordsman; Thomas, born July 7, 1784: James, 
born December 7, 1786, was a farmer of Chil- 
lisquaque township; Elizabeth and Polly, born 
January 10, 1790, died in infancy; William, 
our suljject's father, who was born November 
19, 1791; John, born October 5. 1793: and 
Polly, born Januar}- 11, 1799. 

William, the father of the subject of this 
personal history, settled on a part of the 
homestead and followed farming all his life. 
He remodeled and enlarged the original 
house: a part of the old house remains as it 
was in former days, being made of logs with 
weatherboard covering. William Cummings 
married Hannah Erwin, daughter of William 
and Alary Erwin. He died in 1865. and his 
wife passed away in 1883. Several children 
blessed their union. John Andrew Jackson, 
who was born without hands, in spite of 
the fact became an expert penman, received 
an excellent education, taught school, and for 
two terms served as register and recorder for 
Northumberland County; he was also the 
publisher of the latest maps of Northumber- 
land, Montour and Columbia counties. He 
married Helen M. Sisty. Robert M.. our 
subject, was the second child l)orn to his par- 
ents. Mary Ann, who resides at ^^lontandon, 
is the widow of Thomas T. Baker. Mr. Baker, 
a son of Jacob Baker, was born in Hunting- 
don County, Pa., and was one of the eight 
sons who served in the Civil \^'ar. He was a 
member of Company I, i92d Reg., Pa. Vol. 
Inf. He died at the age of sixty-one years. 
He was the father of the following children: 
Clara A.: Elmer E.; Ella J.; Carrie M. and 
Hannah Mary, postmistress of Montandon. 
Sarah Jane, who lives at Montandon, is the 



286 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



widow of Da\i(l Kingsberry, of Luzerne 
County. Annie C, the fifth child of William 
and Hannah Cummings. married Wesley 
.\uten and resides in Baltimore. Harriet J., 
deceased, marrieil j. W. Taylor. Margaret 
Agnes, wlio married Amandus I""reize, resides 
on the old homestead. Eliza T. died at 
the age of seventeen years. William Cum- 
mings was an ims\ver\ing Democrat; he was 
a member of the I'resbytcrian Church. 

Robert M. Cuuunings, the subject of this 
biography, attended the common schools and 
Lewisburg .Academy, later studying law with 
G. F. Miller, of Lewisburg. He was admitted 
to the Northumberland County Bar in 1859. 
In i8')5. when there were only two buildings 
on the site, Mr. Cummings and his brother, 
John, purchased land and laid out what is now 
known as the village of Montandon. There 
our subject erected a large Ijrick residence 
and office, where he carries on his practice. 
He has dealt e.\tensi\cly in real estate, and 
has done nuich to further the i)rogress of the 
village. His practice has been mostly in the 
Orphans' Court and in cases involving real 
estate, and he has established an excellent 
rei)utation, his judgment being eagerly 
sought 1)_\- ])eoj)le for miles around Montan- 
don. 

Mr. Cummings married Mary E. Albright, 
a daughter of John .Mbright, of Xorlhumber- 
land County, Pa., and late of Turbot tow^n- 
ship, that county. This marriage has been 
blessed by seven children, as follows : Clara 
Elizabeth, who married F. B. L-\in, of Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., and has three children. Miriam, 
Kathryn E. and Beulah E.; John W., who is 
a teacher by vocation; Herbert W., who. in 
partnership with Lewis Dewart. is engaged 
in the practice of law at Sunbury; Mary A. 
and Harriet J., l)oth at home; and three who 
died in inf;mc\'. 



Mr. Cummings has served for ten \ears on 
the school board. He has served officially in 
the Methodist Church, materially assisting to 
build the church edifice. Politically, he is a 
stanch 1 )emocrat and lakes an active interest 
in the political affairs of the town. He is a 
member of Lodge No. 623, L O. O. F., of 
Pottsgrove, and has served as district deputy 
grand master of Xorlhumberland Count\-. Bv 
all with whom he is acquainted Mr. Cum- 
mings is spoken of only in the highest terms 
and he is respected by ever}- one. 



pf RANKLIN W. LUCKENBILL has 
_J_ ^ won an important ])lace among min 
ers of the Seventeenth Congressional District, 
that of mine foreman of the North Franklin 
Colliery of Trevorton, Zerbe township. He 
began working in the nnnes as a slate-picker 
at the age of fourteen years, after which he 
began mining, worked his way up to pro- 
motion as fire-boss and finally advanced to his 
present position as mine foreman in 1893. He 
fills his position exceptionally well; all his 
success has been achieved by hard and well 
directed eftorts on his jiart. He was l)orn on 
Christmas Day, 1855, in Wayne township, 
Schuylkill County, Pa., is a son of William 
and Sarah (Yeich) Luckenbill, and grandson 
of Henry Luckenbill. who was a practical 
farmer and a valued resident of Schuylkill 
County, who died when the father of our sub- 
ject was \ery young. 

William Luckenbill, our subject's father, 
was born in 1835. Since 1869 he has lived in 
Branchdale and is still there spending his de- 
clining years. He is a strong believer in the 
])rinci])les of the Reformed Church and takes 
(|uite an active part in all church affairs. In 
his younger days he served as an officer of the 
church. He is a carpenter by trade and has 



•SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



287 



worked continuously at that calling all his 
lifetime. Our subject was one of a family of 
twelve children: seven boys and five girls, as 
follows: John, now deceased: Franklin \V., 
our subject: William, engaged in the collieries 
at Branchdale; Emma Rebecca, who died in 
childhood: George, who is now a minister 
of the German Reformed Church in Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y., — he had excejnional educa- 
tional advantages and made good use of them, 
is a graduate of Ursinus College, also of 
Franklin and Marshall College at Lancaster, 
Pa.: Alice, the wife of George Fisenburg, now 
residing at Minersville. Schuylkill County: 
Ida. wife of John Salem of Tremont. Pa.: 
Harvey, a miner at Branchdale: Charles, also 
a miner in his native town: Mary Ann, who is 
at home; and Emma and Edmond, both de- 
ceased. 

Franklin W. Luckenbill was united in mar- 
riage with Mary L. Brodt. March 13. 1880, 
and their home is blessed with two bright and 
attractive daughters: Edna May. born De- 
cember 4. 1889. and Bertha Estella, born 
March 9, 1891. 

Our subject, just in the jirime of his life, 
is filling his position of trust and grave re- 
sponsibility to the best of his ability. He is 
an afifable and congenial man and has a host 
of friends and acquaintances who delight in 
his prosperity. 

Capt. Henry Brodt. father-in-law of our 
subject, well deserves mention in this sketch. 
He was a native of France, imniigratefl to 
America in 1850 at the age of seventeen years, 
locating at Llewellyn and continued to reside 
there until his death. He was a mason and 
plasterer by trade. He rendered valiant ser- 
vice to his country during the Civil War. en- 
listing in the Union Army as a private in 
Company A. 50th Reg.. Pa. \'ol. Inf., serv- 



ing throughout the war, and was promoted to 

2d and 1st lieutenant and finally to captairi. 



OHX RAUP, one of the pioneer resi- 
dents of Mount Carmel, Northumber- 
land County. Pa., is now living a re- 
tired life. Iiaving spent many years in unceas- 
ing activity. He is a son of George and 
Martha (Marks) Raup. and was l)orn in Roar- 
ing Creek township. Columbia County, Pa., 
November 23, 1830. 

^Ir. Raup is of German ancestry and is a 
grandson of Leonard Raup, a native of Ger- 
many, who, upon coming to the United 
States located in Eastern Pennsylvania, finally 
settling in Columbia County: during his en- 
tire life he followed the occupation of a 
farmer. 

George Raup, the father of our subject, 
was born in Columbia County, Pa., where he 
made his home throughout his life. Like his 
father, he took to agricultural pursuits, in the 
prosecution of which he met with fair suc- 
cess. In religious attachments he was a mem- 
lier of the Lutheran Church. He was joine;l 
in the holy bonds of wedlock with Martha 
Marks and their union was blessed by the 
birth of the following children : Hannah. Ra- 
chel. Elizabeth and Polly, deceased: Henry, 
who lives in retirement in Columbia County: 
John, the subject of this biographical record; 
George, who resides at Elysburg. Northum- 
berland County, and is a merchant: Jonas, 
who resides near Catawissa: David, a farmer 
who also resides near, Catawissa, Columbia 
County: William, a farmer residing in Kan- 
sas: Solomon, who died young: and Charles, 
who also died young. 

John Raup was reared and educated in Co- 
lumbia County, attending the common 
schools in all but the summer months, when 



288 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



he worked out. Just after attaining his ma- 
jority he went to Danville, Montour County, 
Pa., having no means \vliatc\er, and there he 
wtjrked at whatever employment he could get 
until 1854, when he remo\ecl to Mount Car- 
mel. He was among the first residents of 
what is now a nourisliing horough. hut at the 
time there were hut two houses in tiie village. 
He acceptetl a position in Schall's Powder 
I"act(irv, remaining for a jjeriod of live years. 
He then enlisted in Company G, 129th I-ieg., 
Pa. Vo]. Inf., served nine months and returned 
home May 20, 1863. He hecame a hoss in the 
(.-mplov of the Coal Pidge lm])r<)\ement & 
Coal Com])an)'. Ik- was always faithful to 
the charge entrusted U> him and remained in 
that capacity for ten or twelve years and then 
moved to E.xcelsior and accepted a similar 
charge. He was an industrious and energetic 
man and for the long period of nineteen years 
and eight nicmths he discharged his duties 
in a manner ahove criticism, acquiring the 
good will and approval of his employers and 
the respect of his suhordinates. In Octoher. 
1895, he returned to Mount Carmel, where 
he has since lived in retirement, in the midst 
of his family and a host of stanch friends. 

Mr. Raup was united in marriage with 
Sarah J. Treaher, and the follow ing children 
were born to them: Roland and Juhvard, de- 
ceased; Aaron, who resides in Sunhury, Pa.; 
Efifie, deceased, who was the wife of (jeorge 
Hough; Charles, who is employed at the col- 
liery at Excelsior; Lottie May; Minnie; Mary, 
the wife of Chester Williard; Harry, who lives 
at Atlantic City, N. J.; and Ray, deceased. 
Religiously oiu" subject is a member of the 
Lutheran Church, of which he is a deacon. 
In politics our subject is a Republican. He 
has ser\-ed three years as a member of the 
board of school directors and also three years 
in the borough council of Mount Carmel. 



^yOHN CARL, who by reason of his 
years of experience in connection with 

the mining interests, is widely known 
throughout the vicinity of Mount Carmel, 
Xorthumberland County, Pa., is superintend- 
ent of the collieries of the Philadelphia & 
Reading Coal & Iron Company. He is a son 
of ITenry and Catharine (Kline) Carl, and was 
born in Prussia, October 2, 1835. 

Ilenry Carl, the father of our subject, was 
born in Germany, in which coimtry he fol- 
lowed the occupation of a farmer, also that 
of a weaver for some time. In 1853 he imiui- 
gr;ited to America and located at St. Clair, 
Schuylkill Coiuit)', Pa., where he took up the 
trade of a weaver. He contimied at that until 
1881, when he remoxed to Shenandoah and 
there spent the remaining years of his life, 
dying in 1893, at the advanced age of eighty- 
fi\e years. He was joined in Hymen's bonds 
w ith Catharine Kline, to whom were born the 
following offspring: Philopena, the wife of 
Peter Bauer; John, the subject of this per- 
sonal history; Frederick: .\nna, the wife of 
.\(Iam lionnersborough: Conrad; Peter; and 
Ilenry. Jn religious attachments Mr. Carl and 
his family were iueml)ers of the Lutheran 
Church. 

John Carl, our subject, was reared in his 
nati\e country and there oljtained his intel- 
lectual training in the public schools, after 
w-hich, at the age of eighteen years, he came 
to this coiuitry with his parents. He began 
work in the mines and continued at that until 
the outbreak of the Civil War when he took 
up arms for the cause of the Cnion. On April 
27, 1 861, he enlisted in Company A, 9th 
Reg.. Pa. \'ol. Inf., but in the following 
August, he re-enlisted in the 7th Pennsyl- 
\;ini;i Ca\alry. He remained in the service 
until the termination of the terrible struggle. 
He served with credit to himself and his regi- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



289 



ment, was cool and collected at critical mo- 
ments, and was ever eager to discharge his 
full duty. After the close of the war he re- 
turned to Schuxlkill County and was em- 
ployed in the capacity of a miner from 1865 
to 1867, when he became a superintendent in 
the colliery. He was three years later sent 
to Berks County hy the company by which 
he was employed to look after ore mines in 
that section, but he remained !)ut seven 
months. Returning to Schuylkill County he 
again became colliery superintendent and 
served as such for seven years, when he was 
appointetl to his present position with super- 
vision oxer seven collieries. He moved to 
Mount Carmel. Northumberland County, in 
March, 1879, where he has since been one of 
the most active and enterprising citizens. He 
is a man of high character, thoroughly con- 
versant with the ways of the world, and is 
highly respected by his fellow-men. Politically 
he is a Republican and is a member of the 
local school board. 

On September 26, 1865, Mr. Carl was 
united in marriage with Elizabeth Kline, who 
was born in Bavaria, Germany, and was a 
daughter of Leonard and Lena (Best) Kline. 
Leonard Kline, a native of Germany came to 
America with his family and located at St. 
Clair, Schuylkill County. Pa., where he was 
an ore-worker in the mines. His union with 
Lena Best resulted in the birth of the follow- 
ing children: Mary, who died in Germany; 
Peter, who died in St. Clair; Christina, the 
wife of John SchafYer of Delaware, Schuylkill 
County; Helen, the wife of Frank Erb of 
Mahanoy City; Mary, the wife of Michael 
Hilbert, deceased, who resides in Mount Car- 
mel ; Lena, the widow of Joseph Tabold ; John 
of Mount Carmel; Nicholas, a resident of 
Mahanoy City; and Elizabeth. 

Our subject and his worthv wife are the 



parents of eight children, as follows : John, 
who married Polinda Kramer, and is a super- 
intendent of collieries at Mount Carmel ; 
Peter, who married Carrie Philip, is also en- 
gaged in the same line of business; Mary, 
the wife of Charles Miller, who is engaged 
in the hotel business at Fountain Springs; 
Josejih; Lizzie; Millie; George; and Alice. 
Socially our subject is a member of the Ma- 
sonic Order, the Odd Fellows, and the (Irand 
Army of the Republic. Religiously he is con- 
nected with the Lutheran Church. 



(MIX P. WILLIAMS, a very success- 
ful, energetic and enterprising busi- 
ness man of Mount Carmel, North- 
umberland County, is a son of Abram and 
Anna (Whitehead) Williams. He was born 
near Centralia, Columbia County, Pa., De- 
cember 7, 1859. 

When twelve years of age, following in the 
footsteps of his father, the subject of this re- 
view, John P. Williams, began to earn his 
living by working about the mines at Girard- 
ville. He worked his way up until he was 
made loader-boss at the Shenandoah City Col- 
liery which position he faithfully fufilled for 
some time. He then removed to Strong, the 
mining suburb of Mount Carmel. where on 
September 7, 1892, he took the position of 
assistant inside-boss at the Pennsylvania Col- 
liery. Mr. Williams is also engaged in the 
ice business in Mount Carmel, being a mem- 
ber of the firm of Cross & Company, extensive 
dealers in ice, his son-in-law, Mark Cross, 
being the active manager of the business. 

Li politics Mr. Williams is an active Repub- 
lican. He was api)ointe(l postmaster at 
Strong a year after removing to Mount Car- 
mel and engaging in the mines at Strong. 



290 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Fraternally our subject is a member of Shen- , 
andoab Lodtje. Xo, lu. I'. ( ). S. of A., of 
Shenandoah. 

Mr. Williams won as his wife Mrs. Mary 
U'illiams. widow of Hector Williams, ami 
their family consists of four very brii^ht rmd j 
interesting children : Ruth, who married Mark i 
Cross of Sunbury on June 17. I(S96, and they 
have one child. Stuart; .\brani; Letitia, and 
Jolm. In mining and in general business our 
subject has exhibited excellent ability and he 
has |)U>hrd r;i|)iilly to the front. He is re- 
garded as one of tlie most energetic and pro- 
gressive of the younger business men of 
Mount Carmel and his friends unite in i)re- 
dicting for him a vvrv bright and prosperous 
business career. 

.\bram Williams, father f)f our subject, was 
a native of Wales wliere he was born in 1825. 
He left his native home and came to the 
United States when fourteen years of age. He 
first settled at Minersville. Schuylkill County, 
where he followed mining. Subsecjuently he 
went to the bituminous coal fields but later 
he returned to the antliracite fields and be- 
came a boss for the Rijjplcr Colliery between 
.\shland and Centralia and he was a boss or 
superintendent in mines during the remainder 
of his acti\'e lifetime, excepting a brief period 
when he was engaged-in the grocery business 
at Shenandoah. He was an earnest member 
of tlie Methodist Church in which he was 
very active. He died at the age of sixty-eight 
years, lea\ing these children : Jennie, born in 
1850, who tirst married Thomas Gibson of 
Danville, Pa., and had one child. .\nna. and 
whose second marriage was with William 
Wiest of I'hiladelphia; William, born in 1854; 
Aljrabam, born in 1857; Lizzie; John P., the 
subject of this review; and .\dam. William is 
an assistant inside-boss at the Strong Col- 
lierv and m.nrried Hattie Worthlv who has 



borne him a son. Lear. .Mjraham. who mar- 
ried Mary Harris, is a fire-boss at the Shen- 
andoah City Colliery and has three children : 
Annette, Lizzie and .\braham. Lizzie is the 
wife of .\sbury Wilde, of \\'est Pittston. Pa., a 
screen manufacturer, and they have five child- 
ren : Harry. Kenneth. Harriet. Eugene and 
Leon. Adam was born January 26, 1868. 
worked about the mines in various capacities 
and in 1894 removed to the Pennsylvania Col- 
liery where lie has since been a stable-boss. 
He is a Republican and a member of the 
Jr. (). C. .\. M. He manied Cora Moll on. 
January 28, 1893, and to them have been born 
four children, as follows: Anna; Harold, who 
died in infancy: Cora: and Addison. 




ENRY BEDFORD, a prominent and 
highly respected citizen of Elkland 
township, Sullivan County, Pa., 
was born in Yorkshire, England, September 
22. 1822, and is a son of Henry and Sarah 
(Seeker) Bedford. Mr. Bedford has already 
passed beyond his three-score years and ten, 
the length of life allotted man; and, although 
he has had two strokes of paralysis, he and 
his friends still hope he may li\'e at least to 
Fee the dawn of a new century and. if it be 
God's will, much longer. 

Our subject's father came to America in 
1822 and landed in New York City. Soon 
after he found emploxincnt in a starch factory 
at Bull's Head, New Jersey. He worked there 
for several years and then sent for his wife 
;uid children, who had remained in England. 
Aliiiiu litis time he moved to Sullivan County, 
w here he ])urchased a tract of land, now occu- 
pied by Thomas King. He built a suitable 
house and barns and busied himself clearing 
the land ;uid culli\ating the soil. Li those 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



291 



primitive clays tlic women were very strong, 
able-bodied and accustomed to working out- 
of-doors. It was so with our subject's mother. 
She was as handy with the axe as her husband 
and assisted him in clearing and tilling the 
land, besides rearing a famih' of children; thus 
she accompanied him in a befitting manner 
through all trials and tribulations to prosper- 
ity. They had both attained the age of about 
seventy when the final smnmons came for 
them to lay down their earthly burdens and 
enter into rest. Their children were all born 
before coming to America. They were : John, 
Ann, Richard, James, Harriet, Jonas and 
Henrv. Our subject's father was a strong be- 
liever in the principles taught in the old En- 
glish Church. He was a sturdy, hard-working 
man, and was well liked by all who knew 
him. 

Henry Bedford, our subject, lived the or- 
dinary life of a boy on a farm in those pioneer 
days, and when grown to manhood, pttrchased 
loo acres of the Thomas B. Merritt tract and 
laid the foundation of a fine farm. Later he 
added another loo acres to it, this last pur- 
chase being ofif the Bishop White tract. All 
this was heavy timberland and in those days 
there was very little market for wood. Our 
subject had before him the gigantic task of 
clearing this land before he could cultivate the 
rich soil. This he accomplished, little by lit- 
tle, as by perseverance and patient ettort he 
expects to accomplish all he sets out to do. 
He built a log house, like other i)ioneers of 
his day, and in time had the lower lOO acres 
cleared into fine fields, surrounded by wind- 
breaks. These fields he cultivated and they 
soon yielded him handsome returns; thus, 
by inheritance and by his own exertions, he 
became the owner of a fine fanu of large di- 
mensions, the greater part of which he cleared 
in the subsequent years of his occupancv. 



With the exception of the few years in which 
he dealt in horse-rakes he has followed gen- 
eral farming. He has Ijecn a hard wt)rker and 
of sterling worth to all. On September lo, 
1846, our subject was united in marriage to 
Martha Ann \'augh, who was born in 1825 
and died in 1856. leaving four sons as a legacy 
to her husband. Three of these sons are now 
Methodist ministers. Pier children were: 
Rev. Sylvester, who married Elizabeth Rath- 
l)one and now has a family of foiu' children, 
Harry C, Dean, Anna, and Edna, located at 
Houghton, N. Y.; Rev. John X., who is a 
teacher in theology at Houghton. N.V.. where 
he lives with his wife, who was a Xellie Rud- 
duck, and has a bright little child named 
.\lpha; I-Jcv. Oliver, whose wife's naiue was 
Bertha Wing, — their home is blessed with two 
little ones, Clayton and Dena; and Sunuier. 
who now' has charge of the homestead farm, — 
he married Carrie Fields, and has the follow- 
ing children, Bruce, Lynn, Grace. Nellie and 
George, who died at the age of four. After the 
death of his first wife our subject contracted a 
second marriage, being united^ to Mary, 
daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Brobst) Hun- 
singer, in 1859. She was born June 2, 1831, 
"and has been a cheerful help-mate and com- 
panion for more than forty years, and is still 
a solace to Mr. Bedford in his old age. This 
second union was Ijlessed with three children, 
namely: Cordelia, who died aged four years; 
Ulysses, wdio married Sarah Brackman, and 
was the father of twins, Edna and Edgar, now- 
deceased; Clara, wife of Frank Black, who 
now reside in Delaware and have four child- 
ren. Floyd, Mabel. Delia, and Lulu Edna. 

Mr. Bedford was for many years a strong 
adherent to the principles of the Republican 
party, but, believing that intemperance does 
more to ruin oiu" nation than anything else, 
he became an ardent Prohibitionist. He never 



292 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



sought office but was persiiailcd 1>y his friends 
to serve as supervisor for a sliort time. Mr. 
I'edford was so firm in liis belief in tlie doc- 
trines of tile W'esleyan Methodist Cliurch 
tliat his tliree oldest sons became \\'esleyan 
Methodist ministers as before-mentioned. 
This church i^rew out of a sc|)aration from 
the Methodist Church, the result of its con- 
nection with slavery. W'esleyan Methodists 
o])posc all kinds of oppression, believing God 
to be the governor of nations and that the 
supreme authority of Tfis revealed will should 
be acknowledged 1)\ tlie constitutions of 
states and nations. 




i\CA)/ 1 M-I.\A1 U. PAULES, M. D. The 
subject of this narrative is one of the 
foremost physicians of the Seven- 
teenth Congressional District of Pennsylvania 
anil is a valued citizen of Danville, in which 
town he owns and conducts a large drug 
store. Jle was born in Marietta, Pancaster 
County, Pa.. November 24, 1863, and is a son 
of i)a\id and Elizabeth (Rumbaugh) Pau'es 
David Paules is of German descent and was 
born in Lancaster County, Pa. His father 
was one of the leading agriculturists of his 
connnunity and, having been reared upon the 
f.-iriu, it was but natural that David should 
follow that occupation. .Attaining his major- 
ity he purchased a farm near the village of 
Marietta ancl bv his good luanagement and 
industrious efforts he has accuiuulated a 
small fortune and has one of the best farms in 
T-ancaster County. In the spring of 1898 Mr. 
Panics retired to the town of Marietta to en- 
joy the emoluments of his past progressive 
.and honored life. He formed a matrimonial 
alliance with Elizalieth Pmnb.augh ;ind a fam- 
ilv of eight children was born to theiu, all of 



whom received a liberal education and arc 
poi)ular and well-to-do citizens in the com- 
munities in which they reside. 

Dr. Paules was reared njion his father's 
farm, attended the district school imtil he was 
twelve years of age and then entered the higii 
school and was graduated four years later. 
He then continued his studies at the Millers- 
ville State Normal School, from which he 
graduated with the class of 1883. He then 
engaged as a teacher, but not being satisfied 
with a position that afforded work only a few- 
months in the year, he decided upon a medical 
career, and accordingly took up his studies 
with 1 )r. Norris, a prominent physician of 
.Marietta. In 1886 he located in Danville and 
clerked in the drug store owned by Dr. S. Y. 
Thompson. He next entered the Jefferson 
Medical College of Philadelphia and was grad- 
uated witli the class of 1890. He soon after 
entered upon the practice of his profession at 
Danville, and lias since followed it continu- 
ously with markcil success. He also owns a 
neat and well-kept drug store, which has 
proven a profitable venture. He purchased 
the Clrier property on the corner of Bloom 
and Ferry streets and has enlarged and re- 
built the same into a handsome residence. 

Our subject wedded Florence Peifer, a 
daughter of George \V. Peifer, and the follow- 
ing children have blessed their happy home, 
naiuely : Parvin Elwood, born Jul}' 24, 1892; 
and Mary Elizabeth, born June 15, 1897. 

Dr. Paules is a member of Dan\ille Lodge 
Xo. 780. L O. O. F.. and Lotus Conclave, L 
( ). H. His wife is a member of the Lutheran 
Clun-cli of Danville. Dr. Paules has labored 
diligently and industriously to perfect himself 
in his ])rofession and has been remarkably suc- 
cessful. He is a popular man, has built up an 
extensive jiractice, and has won a place among 
the foreiuost of his profession. 




SAMUEL McKAMEY. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



295 




AMUEL McKAMEY, who for many 
years lias efficiently serNcd as fore- 
man of the Pennsylvania Canal 
yards at Espy, Columbia County, is a progres- 
sive and enterprising citizen and is held in 
high esteem. He is a son of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (Caldwell) McKamey, and was born 
in Espy, Scott township, Columbia County, 
October ]6, 1830. 

The McKamey family is of Scotch-Irish or- 
igin, and Samuel McKamey, the father of our 
subject, was born in the North of Ireland. 
He emigrated from that country with his wife 
and one daughter. They first located in New 
York City, but soon after removed to Ply- 
mouth, Pa., where he lived for a few years. 
He then came to Espy, Scott township, where 
he lived until his death, aged si.xty-two years. 
His trade was that of a weaver, which he fol- 
lowed throughout his life with fair results. 
During the War of 181 2 he served as one of 
the emergency men. He was united in matri- 
monial bonds to Elizabeth Caldwell, by whom 
he reared a family of nine children, all of whom 
have passed away but our subject, as follows : 
Mary, who married George Shuman, of Maine 
township, Columbia County; Catherine, who 
was the wife of Samuel Boone, of Catawissa 
Valley; Dr. Alexander, who served as lieu- 
tenant in the company commanded by his 
uncle, Capt. James Caldwell, during the Civil 
War, — his imcle ha\ing been killed in an en- 
gagement, Alexander was made captain and 
served in that capacity until the close of the 
war, — prior to the war he had practiced medi- 
cine and, after its close, he went to Williams- 
burg, Blair County, where he practiced until 
his death; Isaac, who w-as a boatbuilder and 
justice of the peace at Espy; John, who was 
a chairmaker and painter at Espy; the others 
died in infanc\-. In religious attachments 



Mr. ]\K-Kamc)' was an adherent to the faith 
of the Episcopal Church. 

Samuel McKamey, the subject of this 
sketch, was educated in the public schools of 
his nati\x' town and early in life learned tlie 
trades of a carpenter and stairbuilder, which 
occupations he followed until 1873, when the 
Pennsylvania Canal Company built a boat- 
yard at Espy. He became one of the em- 
ployees of that company, for whose interests 
lie worked faithfully and conscientiously, and 
in 1883 he was promoted to the position of 
foreman and general manager of the yard. 
He has since conducted that business in a very 
satisfactory manner, although the business 
transacted now is but a shadow of that done in 
former times, owing to the advent of railroads 
in this vicinity, which have usurped a large 
share of the traffic. About twenty-five men 
are constantly under the supervision of Mr. 
McKamey. By his excellent methods of hand- 
ling his men he not only derives the best pos- 
sible results from their labor, but also retains 
their goodwill and respect. When Lee's in- 
vasion into Pennsylvania caused such a stir 
among the residents of this .state, he, with a 
number of other patriotic citizens, volun- 
teered his services and marched with them as 
far as Hagerstown, Md. 

Mr. McKamey has twice been united in 
the holy Ixinds of wedlock, his first union be- 
ing with Martha Hicks February 12, 1856, by 
whom he had ten children, namely: Ella, 
Elizabeth and Anna all died of scarlet fever 
within four days; Lottie, who died at the age 
of two years; Susie, who died at five; Sallie, 
deceased, who was the wife of Seymour Phoe; 
Jennie, who was the wife of J. M. Lehman, of 
Espy; and Anna and Blanche, who are at 
home. Mrs. McKamey was called to her eter- 
nal resting i)lace in March, 1875, aged forty- 
five years. In May, 1876, our subject married 



296 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Mrs. Symaiillia Monlaii, of Espy. Religious- 
Iv, Ini-slKind and wife arc memljcrs of the M. 
E. Churcli, of wliicli our subject is a trustee. 
Politically, Mr. McKamey is a Republican and 
lias served as school director for three years. 
We are jileased to announce that a portrait 
of tlie subject of the foregoing biograi)hy ap- 
pears on a preceiling page. 



M 



Win FRED REICHERT, wholesale 
,„ . agent, is one of the representative 
(jerman-.\merican citizens who are 
so prominent and active in the ranks of the 
responsible business men of America. In- 
deed, it is sometimes said that to be a Ger- 
man-. \iuerican means to be a better citizen 
than the native-born American and in that re- 
s])ecl Mr, Reichert is one of whom any nation 
might be proud. Honorable and upright in 
every way, he takes a deep interest in the wel- 
fare of his county and is ever ready to forward 
its interests, either b\- ])ersonal service, or 
Hnancially. as seems most desiraljle. Air. 
Reichert was born in Trevorton, Pa., .\pril 
21, 1862. lie is a son of John Charles and 
Caroline ( ^'uengling) Reichert, and grandson 
of (iottleib Reichert of Rohordorf, Germany, 
who spent his entire life in that country. 

Not so with the fatliei- of our subject who 
was born in Rohordorf in 1819 and immi- 
grated to this country when a lad, starting out 
in life with less than one dollar, thus giving an 
e.\ami)!e of the courage and get-ahead spirit 
which has so fully descended to his son, the 
subject of our sketch. Before leaving his na- 
tive country Mr. Reichert had learned the 
brewer's trade; but not immediately succeed- 
ing in getting work in that line he at once 
began to earn his living bv hewing timber in 
and about the mines of .Sclunlkill County, 



Pa., and spent two years in the mines at West 
\\'ood as a laborer, .\fter a short time spent 
at that occupation, working at Swatara, near 
Tama(|ua, Pa., he accepted the position of 
brewer with the \'uengling Brewing Com- 
pany of Pottsville, Pa., where he remained for 
five years. At the expiration of that time he 
removed to Northumberland County where 
he, in company with (iottleib I'ritz. founded a 
brewery, now known as the Eagle Run Brew- 
ery and operated by Furmann & Schmidt. 
After three years of partnership, Messrs. 
Reichert and Fritz decided to separate their 
interests and that was done, the former selling 
out to the latter. Mr. Reichert then removed 
to Trevorton, Pa., where he accepted the po- 
sition of wholesale agent for the Yuengling 
Brewing Company in Shamokin and Trevor- 
ton, this being in the year 1857; and at the 
same time was united in the bonds of holy 
matrimony to his present widow; he retained 
this position until his death on Sei)tember 29, 
1883. His wife, who is a daughter of Jacob 
Yuengling of Aldingen, Germany, and to 
whom he was married in 1857, is still living. 
Mr. Reichert was one of the founders of the 
I^utheran Church in Trevorton, Pa., and a 
regular attendant thereof. To his marriage 
four children were born; Mary, who is mar- 
ried to Clement Martz of W'illiamsport, Pa.; 
Caroline, who li\es at home; l)a\id I'^red, our 
subject; and Clara, the wife ui Walter Grant 
of Philadeljjhia, Pa. 

David Fred Reichert was educated in the 
public schools of his native town, Trevorton, 
and remained at home with his father until 
1880, wdien he began to work in the mines; 
how^ever, he only remained there for fifteen 
months, when he was so seriously injured that 
he was compelled to lay of¥ for six months; 
at the end of that jieriod he again entered the 
employ of his father and retained the position 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



297 



until his father's deatli. That event caused the 
transfer of the business to his mother for one 
vear, during which time he remained as man- 
ager. At the expiration of that period the 
business was put entirely into ^Ir. Reichert's 
hands, his mother retaining a nominal interest 
in it. As a wholesaler of beer and liquor, 
Mr. Reichert has a large trade and in connec- 
tion with that he carries on a bottling busi- 
ness, putting up sodas, porters and beers. He 
is also interested in real estate in the vicinity 
of Trevorton. Politically 'Sir. Reichert is a 
Democrat and has tilled several oftices, show- 
ing the esteem in which he is held by his 
fellow-townsmen, having been township audi- 
tor for two terms, tax collector for one term, 
township treasurer for one term, and at the 
present writing he holds the position of town- 
ship school director. Following in his fath- 
er's footsteps, Mr. Reichert is a devout Lu- 
theran, and was largely instrumental in ob- 
taining the funds for the erection of the fine 
church of the Lutheran congregation which 
now adorns the town of Trevorton, and upon 
which was expended nearly $6,000, a large 
sum to be raised in a small town. 

Mr. Reichert was married to Jane Dunkel- 
berger, daughter of Simon S. Dunkelberger of 
Trevorton, Pa., Ji-ine 7, 1887, and their union 
has been blessed with the birth of five child- 
ren : Esther Mabel, born October 20. 1888; 
Bertha Clara and Frederick William (twins), 
born March 26, 1889: Charles S., born ]\Iay 
19, 1890: and Roy R.. born September 10, 
1896. As a good citizen, husband and father, 
Mr. Reichert stands among the first of Tre- 
vorton's influential men. 



OHN H. BECK, a prominent farmer of 
Rockefeller township, Northumber- 
land County, was born in Fraley 
township. Schuylkill County, Pa., August 30, 



1850. He is a son of John Jacob and Eliza- 
beth (Shadel) Beck, of Lykcns X'alley, Dau- 
phin County, Pa. 

John H. Beck, our subject's paternal grand- 
father, was born in Northampton County, Pa., 
and settled in Lykens Valley, Pa., where he 
made a life-work of farming. He married Su- 
san Greenswicht of Northampton County and 
the following children blessed their union : 
Daniel; John and David, twins; Jonathan; 
George; John Jacob, our subject's father; 
Polly; Harriet; Susanna; and Christianna. 

David Shadel, the maternal grandfather of 
our subject, was a native of Northunil)erland 
County. He married Polly Hofifey of Lykens 
Valley and to them were liorn six children: 
Elizabeth, our subject's mother; Henry; Car- 
oline; Sarah; Catherine; and Eve. He was 
engaged in the lucrative business of hat man- 
ufacturing and lived most of his life in Ly- 
kens \'alley. 

John Jacob Beck, our subject's father, was 
born June 24, 1820, and died May 15, 1883. 
He lived in Audenried, Pa., for several years 
and was a coal miner; he resided near Hazle- 
ton. Pa., three years. He was married in the 
spring of 1848 to Elizabeth Shadel, who was 
born in Schuylkill County, .\ugust 24, 1822, 
and after his marriage he moved to Rockefel- 
ler (then Lower Augusta) township, North- 
umberland County, and bought a farm of 
eighty acres of David Shipe, and there he 
lived until his death. He carried on general 
farming and later invested in more land and 
added to his farm. He was a Republican in 
politics, but preferred to advance his friends 
in office rather than himself. He was an ac- 
tive niemlier of the Lutheran Church. Three 
children were born to our subject's parents, 
namely: John H.; David, who died at the 
age of seven years; and Louisa, who married 
W. B. Eister, Esq., a merchant and post- 



298 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



master oi Se\cii Points, ]';i. Jolm 11. and 
Loui.sa were e<lucate(l in the common scliools 
of tlie neigiil)orlux)(l and have lived all thck 
lives in Rockefeller township. 

Our subject bought the old homestead and 
has since added to it so that he has now 260 
acres of valuable land u])on which he has 
raised a great deal of stock, but is now en- 
gaged in general farming. He was united in 
marriage January 2, 1868, to Abbie R. Zost- 
man of Lower Augusta, a daughter of Daniel 
and f'^sther (Raker) Zostman, Ijoth of that 
townshi]). Daniel Zostman, after the death 
of his first wife, was married the second time 
to Susanna Conrad of Lower Augusta. He 
was a tanner by trade and died in 1890. The 
children by his hrst miion were: Sarah Ann; 
one. who died in infanc}-; Alexander; Har- 
riet; \\'illiani; Mary Jane; Rebecca; Cath- 
erine; Abbie R., our subject's wife; one, who 
died in infancy; Daniel; and Esther. Our 
subject and wife have had thirteen children, 
and do not consider the nundier unlucky, as 
follows: William Edward, born January 13, 
j868, died April _>i, 1872; David Albert, born 
May 6, 1871, married Alberta Dunkelberger, 
and is a dairyman at Irish \'alley, Shamokin 
township, Nortluunberland County; Mary 
Alice, born August 26, 1872, married Harvey 
E. Miller, a butcher, at Sunbury, Pa.; Daniel 
J., a farmer of Rockefeller township, born 
December 13, 1873, married Emma J. 
Maurer, and has two children, Laura V., and 
Lloyd E.; George \V., born June 18, 1875, 
and works on a pipe line at Buffalo Valley, 
Pa.; Harry Luther, born July 18, 1877, mar- 
ried Susanna Dunkelberger, and lives in 
.Shamokin township; John Norman, born 
June 26, 1881 : Susan Elizabeth, born October 
12, 1883, and married Theodore P. Bennett 
of Columbia County; Eranklin W., born Jan- 
uary 20, 1886; .\bbie M., born Sejjtendjer 30, 



1888; Kate ]•'., born May 30, 1890; Esther 
X., born September 13, 1892; and Orville E., 
born July 23, 1895. The seven younger 
children live at home. Mr. and Mrs. Reck 
are members of the Lutheran Church, lie 
has held many townshi|j oflices; is a stanch 
Republican; is a member of Lodge No. 414, 
E. & A. M., at Elysburg, Pa., of which he is 
past master; a member of Camp No. 139, P. 
O. S. of A., of Seven Points. 

Our subject is a good musician and has 
contributed to his own and others' enjo\nient 
by i)laying the B-tlat cornet for seven years 
in the Seven Points Band and tenor horn for 
five years in the same band. His hard work 
and sterling business ipialities have brought 
the success which he deserves, the impro\e- 
ment of his property, and the respect and 
fa\or of the community in which he lives. 




ILLIAM A. HARTZELL, the 
popular proprietor of the City Hotel 
and the l-'ashion Livery, is one of 
the leading and enterprising business men of 
the town of Bloomsburg. He is a son of Wil- 
liam and Martha (Clark) Hartzell, ami was 
born in Danville, Montour County, January 
8, 185 1. His gradfather is Solomon Hartzell, 
a prosperous farmer of Northumberland 
Count}-. 

William Hartzell. the father of our suliject, 
was born in Norllnnnberland County, Pa., 
and his first work in his own interest was as a 
rail-straightener in the shops at Danville. He 
also ownetl a farm and was engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits. He was a stockholder in the 
Danville Nail Manufacturing Company and 
spent the latter years of his life in retirement. 
He afifiliated in marriage with Martha Clark, 
a daughter of Rew Clark, of Northumberland 




LLOVU T. ROHRBACH. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



301 



Count}', and they reared the following chil- 
dren : Mary; Alice; Amanda; Minnie; Isa- 
bella, deceased; WilHam A., the subject of this 
sketch; (leorge W., deceased; and Edward C, 
of Sunbury. ]Mr. Hartzell died at the age of 
sixty-four years. 

William A. Hartzell was reared on his 
father's farm and received his education in the 
common schools in the vicinity. He spent the 
early portion of his life in farming on the old 
homestead and in 1876 he moved to Blooms- 
burg and established a teaming and trucking 
business and also opened a boarding and feed 
stable at the Exchange Hotel barns. He con- 
ducted his affairs in a successful manner and 
remained in these businesses until he pur- 
chased the Stearns Hotel, which is now 
known as the City Hotel. He has made many 
improvements in the hotel, which has seven- 
teen well-furnished rooms. The landlord, by 
the genial and courteous manner which he 
manifests toward every one, has won a large 
share of the patronage of the public and is 
respected and esteemed as a man of real worth 
to the community. The hotel is at No. 121 
West Main street and is a handsome three- 
story brick structure. In connection with the 
hotel Mr. Hartzell conducts one of the finest 
livery barns in the town, known as the Fashion 
Livery. He is a good judge of horse flesh and 
has aliout fourteen of the best roadsters to be 
found in the vicinity of Bloomsburg. He also 
owns several valualile trotting horses, which 
he keeps merely for his own pleasure. His 
vehicles are in keeping with the horses, being- 
very stylish turnouts of every kind. Mr. 
Hartzell and his family reside at the hotel, 
but he owns a large double tenement house 
in Bloomsburg, which he rents. 

Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Hannah Brewer, a daughter of Henry 
Brewer, of Danville, and they have been 



blessed by eight children : Edward, Flora, 
Harley, and Eugene, deceased; George W., 
who is clerk in the hotel; Charles, who has 
charge of the livery; Martha G.; and Mag- 
gie E. 

Politically, Mr. Hartzell stanchly supi)orts 
the principles of the Democratic party. 




LOYD T. ROHRBACH, ex-prothono- 
tary and clerk of Northumberland 
County Courts, treasurer of the 
Sunbury Nail, Bar & Guide Iron Manufactur- 
ing Company, treasurer of the Sunbury Water 
Company, dealer in ice and coal, and manu- 
facturer of brick, is also a lawyer by profes- 
sion, and an active, all-around business man. 
He was born in Upper Augusta township, 
Northumberland County, Pa., January 22, 
1839, and is a son of George and Mary C. 
(Artley) Rohrbach. 

The family is of German descent 'and was 
among the earliest pioneers of Eastern Penn- 
sylvania, where our subject's grandfather was 
engaged for many years in conducting a char- 
coal furnace in conjunction with farming. He 
was a sedate man who attended strictly to af- 
fairs of his own concern; he was adverse to 
praise or flattery, had no aspirations for i)ub- 
lic life, and strictly adhered to his occupation 
and was a very successful and influential busi- 
ness man. He married Catherine Fenster- 
macher and they reared a large family of 
children, among them George Rohrbach, 
father of our subject. 

George Rohrbach was born in Cohunbia 
County, Pa., in 1808. He became interested 
in the iron industry and was engaged in the 
foundry and furnace business all of his active 
days. In 1838 he located in Upper Augusta 
township where he resided a few years, then 
removed to Sunbury, living there more than 



;M2 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



half a century and passing from this life in 
1894. He was an active member of the Lu- 
theran Church and was one of the founders of 
that church in Sunbury; he filled the ofifice of 
trustee for a long time and also served in other 
offices of the church. He chose for his life 
companion, Mary C. Artley. They had a 
family of nine children, two of whom died in 
infancy. The others were: Clinton, who mar- 
ried Sarah Engle and was engaged in lumber- 
ing, farming and the foundry business, mak- 
ing a success of this trio of enterjjrises, — he 
died in L'pper Augusta township: Jacol). who 
was also engaged in the foundry business, was 
afterward appointed postmaster at Sunbury, 
and is now living a life of retirement; Eliza- 
liclh. the widow of Thomas G. Cooper of Sun- 
bury; Catherine, the widow of Harry Bourne, 
also of Sunbury; Lloyd T., subject of this 
sketch; Edward, who died at the age of eigh- 
teen years: William, who engaged in foundry 
work for many years, later was superintendent 
of the Sunbury Water Works, and died Feb- 
ruary 9. 1898. Our subject's mother passed 
to the life beyond in 1887, at the advanced age 
of eighty-eight years. 

Lloyd T. Rohrbach received his primary 
education in the Sunbury ])ublic schools after 
which he entered Pennsylvania College at 
Gettysburg, passing through the freshman 
class, and subsequently entered the Susque- 
hanna L'niversity at Selinsgrove, Pa., and 
was graduated therefrom in 1861. In A])ril 
of the same year he enlisted in the L'nion 
Army and was assigned to Company F, nth 
Reg., Pa, Vol. Inf., and served as clerk of the 
company. He was in the battle of Falling 
Waters, Va., and did army ser\ice for about 
three months, when he returned home and 
entered upon the study of law, reading in the 
otifice of the late Horatio Wolverton, and 



later in the ofifice of Judge William M. Rocke- 
feller of Sunbury, Pa. 

In 1865 our subject was admitted to the 
bar of Northumberland County and innne- 
diately began the practice of his profession in 
Sunbur_\- anil continued the same to the ex- 
clusion of all else until 187J. meeting with 
much success and bringing himself promi- 
nently before the people. In 1868 he was ap- 
pointed L'. S. commissioner and filled that 
ofifice until 1872 when he resigned to accept 
the oftice of prothonotary and clerk of the 
Orjihans" Court. He was re-elected to the 
same office in 1875. serving in all a ]:)eriod of 
six years. Air. Rohrbach has always been a 
Republican, taking a leading part in the coun- 
cils of his party, in county, state and national 
politics. At the time of his first election the 
county was conceded to be Democratic by a 
majority ranging between 1,200 and 1,500, yet 
Mr. Rohrbach was elected on the Republican 
ticket by a majority of 600 votes, and was re- 
elected by a majority of about 300 votes. In 
1896 he was a prominent candidate for the 
nomination for state treasurer and had a 
strong following, but withdrew his name be- 
fore the balloting began. In 1878 he engaged 
in the manufacture of lime, also dealing in 
coal and ice, which business he has since con- 
tinued, excepting the manufacture of lime, 
which he relinquished a few years ago. He 
assisted in organizing the Sunbury Water 
Works Company, which organization was ef- 
fected in 1883, and has since been its secre- 
tary and treasurer. 

On December 20, 1866, our subject was 
united in the bonds of wedlock with Jennie C. 
Haas, daughter of John P. Haas of Sunbury, 
whose biography appears elsewhere in this 
volume. They are the parents of three chil- 
dren, John Haas, deceased; George Edward; 
and WilHam R. George Edward is a mem- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



303 



her of the firm of Rolirl)ach & Son. dealers 
in coal and ice. He is also engaged exten- 
sively in dealing in land and hnnber, having 
an interest in the firm of jVI. H. Kulp & Com- 
pany. To reach a correct idea of the magni- 
tude of the land and lumber speculations of 
this enterprising tirni, M. 11. Kulp & Com- 
])any, see personal history of Al. II. Kuli), to 
be found in another part of this \olume. 
George E. is also interested in the sand busi- 
ness. William R. is attending Sus(piehanna 
University. 

For many )ears our subject has been elder 
of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun1)ury 
and is a prominent and leading church work- 
er, contributing liberally to the support of 
his favorite denomination. He has always 
been an aggressi\e business man, and his suc- 
cess is not surprising to those who know his 
traits of character. He is a gentleman, pleas- 
ant and genial in his manners, large-hearted 
and liberal in his views, and thoroughly tem- 
perate in all his habits; in fact, he is a model 
citizen, one whose presence would be wel- 
come in any connuunity. Socially he is a 
member of Sunbury Lodge, No. 22, F. & A. 
M., also of the Chapter. His portrait is 
shown on a page in pro.ximity in connection 
with the foregoing sketch. 



JB 



R. CHARLES \V. RABB, a young 
and very popular dentist of Blooms- 
burg, has a well-established patron- 
age and his work in dentistry is unexcelled in 
Columbia County. He was born in Blooms- 
burg June 13, 1873, 'Ti'l is a son of William 
and Abigail (Bell) Rabb. 

His grandfather was Frederick Rabb, a 
native of Lubeck, Prussia, who came to Amer- 
ica with his family in 1839 and settled in Lit- 



tle York, York County, Pa. In 1842 he came 
to Bloomsburg and ojjened a bakery on Third 
street, where Schuyler's hardware store now 
stands, and was later associated in business 
with his son-in-law, John Rheam, who suc- 
ceeded to the ownership of the business. He 
was united in marriage to Caroline Young, 
and they were the parents of the following 
children: Augustus; William; Lewis, de- 
ceased; twins who died in infancy; Hannah, 
deceased; and Charles F., the only one of 
whom was born in America. Mrs. Rabb 
passed into the world of rest in 1870, at the 
age of seventy years, and was followed by her 
husband in 1872, aged seventy-three years. 

William Rabb, father of our subject, was 
born in Lubeck, Prussia. June 3, 1828, and 
came to this country in 1S39 with his parents. 
He served an apprenticeship to the cabinet- 
maker's trade in Norristown. L^pon attaining 
man's estate he came to Bloomsburg and 
started in business where Ringler's drug store 
is at present, where he continued for thirty 
years. \\\ 1891 he built the building which 
is now standing upon that site. At the expira- 
tion of the period in which he followed cabi- 
netmaking, he sold out and purchased a farm 
of 116 acres in Madison township, Colundjia 
County, where he lived for three years, and 
then, renting the farm, returned to Blooms- 
burg. He then conducted a grocery store 
until 1890, with good results; but in that year 
he retired and is spending his declining vears 
in the peaceful (piiet of home life. He is a 
shrewd business man and a successful mana- 
ger, and during the active period of his life 
he accumulated a comfortable competency. 
He has owned as many as forty stores and 
houses and at present owns fourteen, all of 
which are very valuable and well located. He 
takes great interest in educational matters 
and for many years served as school director. 



304 



BOOK OF RIOGRAPHIES. 



He was also a member of tlie town council for 
eight years. In 1856 he was united in mar- 
riage to Abigail Bell, a (laus;hter of .\liraliam 
Bell, a native of tlie county, ami they are the 
liappy parents of the following children: 
Luther Isaiah, a dentist, who married Camilla 
K. DeSheppard and the\' ha\e si.K children, — 
Fredericka, ^^'illiam, May, Inez. Robert and 
Arthur; Martha A., at home with her parents; 
Clara E., wife of Charles W'elliver. and they 
have three children, William, Walter and 
Charlotte; Ida \'.. wife of (ieorge 1'. Ringler, 
druggist; and Charles \\'.. in whom the inter- 
est of tliis sketch centers. ^Iv. and Mrs. Rabb 
are enjoying the best of health and their many 
friends join in wishing them many more years 
of continued happiness. 

Dr. Charles W. Rabb attended the public 
schools of Bloomsburg and the Bloomsburg 
State Normal School, after which he took uj) 
the study of dentistry with his brother and 
graduated froiu the University of Pennsyl- 
vania in 1896. He then took a special course 
in gold-crowning from that well-known in- 
structor, Frederick Pesso, of 1'hiladelphia, 
and in that line of work he has no superior 
ill this section of the state. Immediately after 
completing his course of study he came to 
Iil()t>nisburg and opened dental parlors at No. 
6 Fast Main street, wliich are handsomely 
furnished. He was successful from the start 
and his patronage has ever been on the in- 
crease. He has great fondness for his profes- 
sion and he gives the strictest attention to his 
work. He is a young man just entering tiie 
prime of life and has a brilliant future before 
him. 



AMES VAN DYKE, proprietor of a 
drug store, located on Third street, 
Sunbury, Northumberland County, 
Pa., and a leading and progressi\'e citizen of 



that borough, was born in Northumberand 
County, Pa., in September, 1853, and is a son 
of James and Hannah (Bell) Van Dyke, and 
grandson of Joseph Van Dyke. 

Joseph Van Dyke, the grandfather of our 
subject, is of Hollandish extraction, and was 
a nati\e and life-long resident of Northum- 
berland County. He was one of the greatest 
pilots on the Susquehanna River and piloted 
boats from Northumberland to Fort Deposit 
to New York City; he ])ursued that line of 
business many years prior to the building of 
railroads in this section of the state. In later 
years he conducted a hotel and was one of the 
leading men of his community. He was united 
in marriage to Miss Elsworth, an English 
lady, and they were the parents of a large fam- 
ily of children. 

James Van Dyke, the father of our subject, 
was also born in Northumberland County, 
where he resided until 1857. In 1856 he was 
elected high sheriff of Northumberland 
County and January i, 1857, moved to Sun- 
bury. Northumberland County, Pa. In 1865 
he returned to Northumberland borough, re- 
maining there until 1869. when he again 
moved to Sunbury, where he resided the rest 
of his active days. He passed from this life 
in 1880, at the age of hfty-five years. During 
his younger days he was a pilot on the Susque- 
hanna Ri\-er, but later he embarked in the 
hotel business, conducting the Washington 
Hotel. After he was elected sheriff' he discon- 
tinued the hotel business to take up the duties 
of sheriff. In 1860 he built the Central Hotel 
at Sunbury and conducted it until 1865, when 
he erected the Van Kirk House in Northum- 
berland. Later he built the Keystone Hotel 
at Sunbury and, after conducting it for two 
years, it was destroyed by fire in 1870. Mr. 
Van Dyke enlisted in the Civil War in 1862 as 
(|uartermaster of the 47th Reg., Pa. \"ol. Inf. 




DAMKL A. WIKST. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



307 



He also dealt extensively in horses, selling 
them to the government during the Rebellion. 
He was married to Hannah Bell and they 
reared and educated a family of two sons and 
two daughters. 

James Wan Dyke received his mental train- 
ing in the public schools of his nati\'e town 
and at New Berlin Academy. Leaving school 
when young, he was employed in the drug 
store owned by Dr. Haupt, of Sunbury. with 
whom he remained six years, giving up his 
position on account of ill health. He then 
worked on the railroad for two years, after 
which he returned to Sunbury, and in Decem- 
ber, 1877, entered the drug store owned by 
Dr. Charles AI. [Martin, remaining in his em- 
ploy fifteen years. In 1893 '^^ engaged in the 
drug business on his own account and opened 
a store on Third street, which he has since 
managed, doing a large business. 

Politically, Mr. Van Dyke is an unwaver- 
ing Republican and has served in the liorough 
council and as clerk. Socially, he is a member 
of Sunbury Lodge No. 203, L O. O. F. ; Sun- 
bury Lodge No. 267, B. P. O. E. ; Col. James 
Cameron Camp No. 160, Sons of \'etcrans 
of Sunbury: the A. O. JJ. \\'.; also a member 
of the Royal Blue. 

In January, 1877, our subject was united in 
the bonds of matrimonv with Hannah Noth- 
aker, of Sunbury, and two children bless 
their home, namely : James P. and Mary L. 



M 



\NIEL A. WIEST. whose portrait. 

executed from a recent photograph. 

appears on the opposite page, is a 
pronn'nent citizen of Trevorton, Zerlie town- 
ship, and is outside foreman of the North 
Franklin Colliery; he accepted his present 
situation in 1888 and realizes and fulfils to the 



fullest extent the responsibilities of his duties. 
Mr. W'iest has led a varied and remarkable 
career and is still in the prime of his life. He 
was born March i, 1849, in Sacramento. 
Schuylkill County, Pa., and is the only son 
of Edward F, and Elizabeth (Smeltz) Wiest 
He was highly educated, passing through the 
high school of Pottstown, and afterward at- 
tended Dickinson Seminarw 

.\t the age of twenty years our subject 
joined the engineer corps of the Philadel- 
phia & Reading Railroad and continued at 
that occupation for o\er a year. He subse- 
c|uentiy took a trip West and combined busi- 
ness with pleasure by clerking for nearly a 
year at Denver, Colo., after which he" drifted 
back to Pennsylvania and at Mount Carmcl 
began railroading on the Sunbury Branch of 
the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, re- 
maining about one year and serving as fire- 
man and brakeman. He next accepted a po- 
sition as shipper for the Reading Company 
at Locust Summit and worked there for sev- 
en years, discontinuing the same only to 
accept a similar and more lucrative position 
at the North Franklin Colliery, where he was 
also telegraph operator. He retained this 
position also for seven years, after which he 
was advanced to his present situation. Per- 
severing, continuous and energetic efforts 
are factors of his success. 

On May i, 1873, our subject was united in 
marriage with Mary J. Evans, and they have 
one son and three daughters, namelv: An- 
nie, Frank, Katie and Beulah. Air. Wiest 
takes an active interest in educational mat- 
ters, being a member of the l)oard of school 
directors of Zerbe township. Fraternally he 
is a member of Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, 
F. & A. M.; Shamokin Chapter: Shamokin 
Commandery; and Camp No. 124, Sons of 
X'eterans, at Trc\'orton. Religionslv he is 



308 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



an active member of tlie Methodist Episcopal 
Cliurdi and is ])resi(lciit of tlie 1)oard of trus- 
cees of that churcli and also superintendent 
of the Sunday School, lie has faithfully and 
lionestly performed the duties of every posi- 
tion he has held and he has i^ained the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen to 
the fullest extent. 

Daniel \\'iest. ^grandfather of oiu" subject, 
was a native of Berks County, but removed 
to Klingerstown, Pa., and subsequently to 
Sacramento, lie was a drover and was also 
engaged in the mercantile business. At one 
time he was a large real estate owner, own- 
ing the greater ])arl of the land now in- 
cluded in the Brooksiile Colliery at Tower 
City. Later he operated a colliery at Ranch's 
dap. 

Edward V. W'iest, father of our subject, 
was born in January. i8j8. and was reared 
and educated in Schuylkill County. He be- 
gan life as a farmer, but later went into the 
hotel business at 'rremont. He rendered 
valuable service to his country in the Civil 
War. He was among the first to enlist, first 
.serving in Company C, 25th Regiment, for 
three months: he then re-enlisted in Com- 
])any A, 50th Regiment, as first lieutenant, 
and served three years four months and ten 
days. After the war he engaged in the coal 
operating business as foreman at Mahanoy 
Valley for a short time, after which he again 
adopted the calling of an agriculturist, and 
is now spending" his declining years in retreat 
at his elegant country home at Gratz, Dau- 
phin County. When Gen. Kossuth, the Po- 
lish patriot, made his famous visit to .America 
in 1S54, ]\Ir. AX'iesl was on the staff of (len. 
Wyncoop. He holds four commissions from 
different governors of the state of Pennsyl- 
vania. He was a member of the old state guard 
fir militia and took a very prominent jiart in 



the organization. He was aide-de-camp on 
Gov. William Bigelow's stafT with rank of 
lieutenant-colonel. He and his wife were 
blessed with two children: Daniel .\.. the 
subject of this sketch, and Katie, wife of Pu- 
laski Gensel of Ashland, Pennsvlvania. 



.\MES L. RIEHL. president of the 
Agricultural Society of Dan\ille, and 
owner of the Montour Hotel, which he 
conducted for many years, is one of the popu- 
lar and esteemed residents of the town of Dan- 
\ille, and is s])ending his latter days in enjoy- 
ing the fruits of the labors of his younger 
years. He was born in Northampton County, 
Pa., near the town of Easton. in July, 1829, 
and is a son of John and Susanna (Shinier) 
Riehl, and a grandson of John Riehl. Sr. 

John Riehl, the father of our subject, was 
born at Easton, Northampton County, Pa., 
and his early days were spent working in a 
blacksmith shop; later he purchased a fine 
farm and was one of the leading farmers of his 
connnunily. By the e.xercise of economy, he 
succeeded in accumulating enough money to 
purchase another farm, and now owns two of 
the best farms in his section of the county. 

Our subject was reared upon his father's 
farm, where he assisted him in his labors, but 
in 1851 he became a hotelman, which proved 
to be the calling to which he was best adapt- 
ed, as he built u]) a reputation that will stand 
as an example to the rising generation. His 
first hotel was known as the American House, 
at Easton. Pa., but ;i few years later he mo\'ed 
to Bethlehem, Pa., where he opened the 
.American House and conducted that hotel for 
some time, when he mo\ed to Mauch Chunk, 
Pa., and opened the Mansion Hotel. In i860 
he went to Danxille and boutjht the Mon- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



309 



tour House, wliicli was a part of the Mont- 
gjomery estate, of Magill & Boyd. He en- 
larged and remodeled his purchase into a 
three-story building, which has fifty-six finely 
furnished rooms and a large dining-room, 
office and salesroom. The hotel is on the cor- 
ner of Mill and Market streets, one of the best 
locations in Danville for his business. In 1892 
our subject retired from active life and has 
leased his hotel to his nephews, Augustus L. 
and Samuel B. Cressman. who have contin- 
ued the business to the present time. 

In 1888 Mr. Riehl was made president of 
the Danville Agricultural Society. This asso- 
ciation dates hack to February i. 1856, when 
the first fair was held in Montour County, 
then Columbia County. For many years 
Danville held the largest fairs in this section 
of the state; May 8, 1892, the name of the so- 
ciety was changed to the Montour County 
Agricultural Society of Danville. The society 
owned a tract of land consisting of seventy-six 
acres, well equipped for a fair ground. In 1896 
the buildings on the grounds were destroyed 
l)y a heavy wind and Mr. Riehl, being a large 
stockholder, purchased the fair ground. For 
some time our subject has contemplated put- 
ting the fair ground into a farm, as the land is 
well adapted to farming purposes, but as yet 
the ground is still used for the fair. 

Mr. Riehl was united in marriage to Eliza- 
beth Cressman, a daughter of Samuel B. 
Cressman, of Bucks County. Pa., and our sub- 
ject was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
beloved companion, who passed from this life 
in 1887, at the age of fifty-nine years. One 
child was the result of their union, Lizzie, who 
died, aged six months. Mr. Riehl purchased 
of Mrs. Susan W'oodside the property at No. 
9 East Front street; he has remodeled and en- 
larged the same into a handsome residence. 
He is a member of the Danville Lodge Xo. 



224, F. & A. M.; Danville Chapter No. 239, 
R. A. M., and Cal\'ar_\- Commandery No. },~. 
K. T. 




GRACE G. SUPPLEE. who efficient- 
ly served as manager of the Farmers' 
Produce Exchange from 1886 until 
he purchased the establishment in 1898, is one 
of the leading citizens of Bloomsburg. He 
was born at White Hall. Pa., October 27, 
1859. and is a son of George W. and Sarah 
(Hamer) Supplee. 

His grandfather was Samuel Supplee, who 
was a prosperous farmer of Chester County, 
and who married Catherine Reinwald, both of 
whom lived to reach an advanced age. George 
W. Supplee, the father of our subject, was 
born near Phoenixville, Chester County, and 
settled on a farm in Montour County in 1857, 
and eight years later purchased a farm at 
Jerseytown, upon which he made man\- im- 
provements and followed agricultural \)W- 
suits for many years. Subsequently he sold 
the estate, which is now owned by A. J. Zeis- 
loft. and retired to Bloomsburg, where he re- 
sided until his death, in October. 1896. aged 
seventy-one years. His wife, whose maiden 
name was Sarah Hamer, was born July i, 
1826, and is a daughter of Murphy and Mary 
(White) Hamer, both of whom died at an 
early age. and were survived by the following 
children: Martha; Jane; William; James; 
Sarah, our subject's mother; Hannah: and 
Robert. As a result of their union I\Ir. and 
Mrs. Supplee became the parents of the fol- 
lowing children : .Vntoinette. wife of C. De 
Mott; Gertrude, whose union with A. Girton 
resulted in the following issue. — Raymond. 
Frederick, Otto, Robert and Archie; Horace 
G., the subject of this personal history; .\nna. 



310 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



who married J. Nuss, and has two children, 
Ruth and Preston; and George, wlio (Hed at 
the age of seventeen years. 

Horace G. Supplee, after comi)leting the 
prescribed course in the ])nblic schools, at- 
tended Greenwood Seminary and the Blooms- 
hurg State Normal Schot)l. He then engaged 
in teaciiing for se\en terms, uv until 1886, 
when he acce])ted his present position as man- 
ager of the Farmers' Produce E.xchange, one 
of the most enterprising concerns in the town. 
It was established in iSSj, in a large brick 
building, three stories high, which was erect- 
ed at a cost of $8,000 and was incorporated 
with a capital of $10,000. In the fall of 1898 
Mr. Supplee purchased the entire i)lant. He 
carries a complete line of general merchan- 
dise, grain, fertilizers, ]>laster, salt, groceries, 
llour. feed. hay. wooden and willowware. 
boots, shoes and all kinds of country produce; 
in fact, everything that is needed by a house- 
keeper, including furniture and caqiets. The 
.store is well arranged, neat in appearance, and 
everything about it has an air of prosperity, 
which bespeaks the excellence of Mr. Sup- 
plee's management. The Exchange is very de- 
sirably located, being situated at No. C)Oi 
Market street. 

Mr. Supplee was unitetl in matrinionial 
bonds to Eleanora Bryfogle, a daughter of 
Daniel and Emma (Gould) Bryfogle, and they 
are the hai)py parents of two children : Mabel, 
born in Bloomsburg November 4, 1889; and 
George W., also born in Bloomsburg Febru- 
ary 21, 1894. Mr. Supplee served in the town 
council one term. He is a Republican in his 
political views. He is a member of the Bap- 
tist Church, of which he has been a deacon 
for several years. Socially, he is a member of 
Washington Lodge No. 265, F. & A. M.; 
Chapter No. 218, R. A. M.; Crusade Com- 
niandcry No. 12, Knights Templar; and Cald- 



well Consistory of Bloomsburg, of which he 
is treasurer. 




AMERON SHULTZ. M. D., is one of 
the rising young physicians of the 
town of Danville, Pa., and a highly 
esteemed citizen of the community. He is a 
son of Benjamin F. Shultz, one of the oldest 
and most highly-respected physicians and 
surgeons who ever practiced in the borough of 
Danville. 

Peter Shultz, grandfather of our subject, 
was a resident of Plainfield, N. J., for a num- 
ber of years, but later he became a resident of 
Derry townshi]), Montour County. Pa., and, 
l)urchasing a large tract of land, he erected a 
hotel, which he conducted for several years; 
he also carried on general farming. During 
his latter days he gave up his hotel business 
and devoted his entire attention to agricul- 
tural pursuits. He was joined in marriage to 
Sarah Robbins and a family of nine children 
was born to them. 

Benjamin F. Shultz, the father of our suIj- 
ject, was born on the old homestead in Derry 
townshi]). Montoiu" County, March 19, 1828. 
He first atteiuled the primary schools of his 
native town.ship. He taught school in the 
borough of Danville and, while teaching, 
studied medicine under Dr. James Straw- 
bridge, A. M., M. D., of Danville. Subse- 
(|ucntly he studied under Dr. Pancoast, of 
I'hil;idelphia, and then entered the Jefferson 
Medical College of that city, and was gradu- 
ated from that institution in 1852. He then 
began ])racticing his chosen profession in 
Danxillc, I 'a., where his labors were crowned 
with success and he soon won the confidence 
and esteem of his community. He continued 
in his ])rofession with great success, but in 
1S77 he was obliged to retire from the medical 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



311 



field because of poor Iiealtli. He accordingly 
purchased a farm of three hundred acres, 
which is now the property of his daughter, 
Mrs. Vincent, and there he quietly and happi- 
ly spent the last six years of his active life. He 
also ownetl a large block. No. 425 Mill street, 
and one at No. 510 Bloom street. Politically. 
Dr. Shultz was an unwavering Republican and 
always lent his aid towartl the success of his 
chosen party. In religious views he was in- 
clined to be liberal. He passed from this life 
February i, 1896, and left a good name, that 
will stand as an incentive to the rising genera- 
tion. In 1857 he was united in the bonds of 
matrimony to Elizabeth Mower, a daughter 
of John Mower, and two children blessed the 
union; Dora Elizabeth, who is the wife of 
O. R. Drumheller, who is proprietor of the 
Windsor Hotel, at Shamokin, Pa.; and Clar- 
rena, who died in infancy. Mrs. Shultz died 
in 1861 and he formed a second marital union 
with Mary Heckert, a daughter of John 
Heckert. She died at the age of forty-eight 
years, leaving the following children : Cam- 
eron, our subject; Florence, wife of A. H. 
Grone; Deborah, who wedded T. G. Vin- 
cent; Arminda, a student at Irving College, 
Mechanicsburg, Pa.; and Maggie and Wil- 
liam, who died in infancy. 

Our subject acquired a good education in 
the public schools of Danville and then read 
medicine in his father's office for some time. 
He then entered the JefYerson Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia, and was graduated with 
the class of 1892. He immediately returned 
to his home and opened a general practice, 
which he continued until 1896, when he went 
to New York City and took a special course 
in the diseases of the stomach. He has since 
built up a large and successful practice and is 
the only specialist on diseases of the stomach 
in this part of the state. Dr. Shultz pur- 



chased the handsome mansion on Market 
street, which was built by Peter Baldy at a 
cost of forty-five thousand dollars, and in 
which he has his offices and parlors. Dr. 
Shultz's mansion is located on a large lot 273 
by 80 feet in dimensions and the house is sur- 
rounded b\' a beautiful and well-kept lawn, 
wliicli greatly adds to the beaut)- of his home. 
Dr. Shultz chose for his life-companion 
Margaret Frances Thompson, a daughter of 
Hon. S. Y. Thompson, M. D., of Danville, 
and one child is the result of this happy union, 
namely; Amiie Mary, born in Danville, Pa., 
August 19, 1893. The Doctor is a member 
and past grand master of Montour Lodge No. 
109, I. (). O. F. ; a member of Washington 
Camp No. t,C^. P. O. S. of A., and of Lotus 
Conclave No. 127, I. O. H. 



OHN FLEMING, who for many years 
was a prosperous farmer near Camp- 
liell's Mills, Forks township, Sullivan 
County, Pa., is now living in happy retirement 
in the town of Forksville, where he is held 
in the highest esteem. He is a son of John 
and Ann (Curl) Fleming, and was born in the 
state of New Jersey, April 29, 1827. 

John Fleming, the father of our subject, lo- 
cated in Luzerne County, Pa., and there fol- 
lowed his trade as mason during the remain- 
der of his life, dying at the age of fifty-five 
years. He married Ann Curl, who died at 
the age of about eighty years, and their child- 
ren were as follows; Martha; Mary Ann; 
Rebecca; Julia; Rosella; Daniel, who was 
killed in war; John, the subject of this sketch; 
Russell, a resident of California: and two who 
died in infancy. 

John Fleming upon reaching the age of 
twelve years went to live with Joseph Warren 



312 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



of Forks townsliip, a faniKr l)y occupation, 
and after allainini; man's estate. lic ])urcliasecl 
a tract of one hundred and twenty acres of 
timl)erland and inunediately set about to clear 
it. Tliis land is located near Campbell's Mills, 
Forks township, Sullivan County. There he 
erected a house and other substantial build- 
ings necessary for carrying on his business. 
He transformed the tract from a wilderness 
to a beautiful farm, and beginning with little 
or no means he applied himself with great 
energy and accumulated sufficient wealth to 
enable him to retire in 1889. Tie disposed of 
his estate to F.dward I'ahl, and purchased a 
valuat)!e lot in Forksville at the corner of 
Water and Main streets upmi which he built 
a handsome house and a good barn. He has 
since resided there and has gained a large 
number of friends who hold him in the high- 
est esteem. 

Mr. Fleming formed a marital union with 
Zili)ha Ann Rogers, who was born .\ugust 2, 
1829, and is a daughter of Moses .\. Rogers, a 
record of whose life ajipears elsewhere in this 
Bocjk of Biograijhies. This union resulted in 
the following issue: Isaac R.. born October 
25, 1854. a merchant of I'ictiirc Rock, and 
who married Minerva Matthews, by whom he 
has three children. Ora, Carl, and Bruce: 
Annie J., born April 7, 1856, married Charles 
Nye. and has one son, Claire; Clara B., born 
October 7, i860, married to O. IT. Gardner 
of the city of Minneapolis: Melvia .\.. born 
December 15, 1861, married Barton Moly- 
neux of Buffalo, N. Y., and tlu-y have three 
children, Lee. Myrtle, and Chester; Mary S., 
born January 2, 1863, married (ieorge Snyder 
of ForksN'ille, and they have two children: 
Marion, and Lou; Delia J., born February 14. 
1868, married Dr. ^^'illiam F. Randall, a resi- 
dent of Dushore, and they have a son, Ralph; 
William R.. born .\ugust 18. 186^. resides in 



Grafton, X. D.; C. Q., born October 14, 1870, 
who lives in Scranton, Pa.; Bertha, born Sep- 
tember 21. 1872, lives at home with her par- 
ents; and Blanche R., who was born March 
28, 1875, "I'l*' ''''^'' January 17, 1897. aged 
twenty-two years. 

Politically Mr. Fleming is an independent 
Republican and has held several minor offices 
of the township, such as assessor and tax col- 
lector. Religiously he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 




fplAjou i-:maxcel clay IIA.M- 

ILTON. The subject of this re- 
view is gratefully remembered 
as one of the most energetic, progressive and 
public-spirited citizens of Xorthumlierland 
County. He is survived by his witlow, who 
is now a beloved resident of Shamokin, and 
by four children. Our subject was born in 
the city of Lancaster. Pa., February 13, 1835, 
and was.a son of Peter Hamilton and a great- 
grandson of a former governor of this state 
who was reared in the Colonial days. Mr. 
Hamilton traced his ancestry to an English- 
Scotch origin, the family being one of the 
earliest to settle in Eastern Pennsylvania. 
Part of the site of the city of Lancaster is 
ground which originalh- was deeded to our 
.'.ubject's ancestors by William Penn. 

When cjuite young our subject evinced 
a great fondness for study and he applied 
himself diligenth- to obtaining an excellent 
education. |)rincii'>ally through his ow'n effort, 
and well e(|uipped himself for the active and 
unif(/rmly successful career he subsequently 
enjoyed. In 1852 Mr. Hamilton went to 
Baltimore, Md., where he resided five years; 
then he returned to this state and located in 
Lewistown. When the darine Rebel leader. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



313 



Gen. Robert E. Lee, sought to invade Penn- 
sylvania our sul)ject was one of the first to 
grasp a musket and assist in repulsing the 
Confederates and driving them out of the 
state. Early in 1865 Maj. Hamilton was ap- 
pointed postmaster of T.cwistown by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, which position he most accept- 
ably filled for some time. He also was agent 
for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Lewistown 
borough, having entire charge of the com- 
pany's interests there. While at Selinsgrove 
Maj. Hamilton did most effective service and 
won an enviable rei^utation as a shrewd and 
capable detector of criminals and acted as as- 
sistant to Detective W. V. Lyon of Reading, 
Pa. With Detective Lyou our subject solved 
the mvstery and arrested the ])erpetrators of 
one of the worst crimes ever committed in 
this state, the murder of the aged Knistlers, 
a case which was celebrated. I>ink liy link 
the chain of evidence was put together by 
the sleepless and vigilant officers and the 
crime fastened upon L^"iah and Jonothan 
Moyer, Emanuel Ettinger and Israel Erb. 
The Moyer brothers were hanged. Ettinger 
committed suicide in jail and Erb was sen- 
tenced to life imprisonment in the peniten- 
tiary in Philadelphia. 

In 1877 Maj. Hamilton removed from 
Lewistown to Adamsburg, Pa., where he con- 
ducted the Merchants' Hotel for three years, 
then locating in Selinsgrove, where he a'so 
engaged in the hotel business for si.x years. 
He removed to Shamokin in .1887 and became 
proprietor of the Exchange Hotel, which he 
ran until 1890, when he retired from the lousi- 
ness and devoted his attention and his marked 
aljility to promoting and successfully insti- 
tuting street railway enterprises. He was the 
leading spirit in the formation of the Shamo- 
kin Street Railway Company in 1892 and he 
was the first president of tlie company, hold- 



ing the office for two years, when he sold his 

stock in the corporation and immediatelv be- 
gan to agitate the formation of the Shruuokin 
& Mount Carmel Street Railway Comi)any. 
which was tpiickly organized, the line being- 
built and put in operation in 1894. He was 
made president of the company and subse- 
quently was succeeded in that ofiice by G. M. 
Snntli, remaining one of the directors until 
iiis death. 

Our subject was united in marriage to 
Cornelia Beam of Lancaster, Pa., on July 26, 
i860. Their happv union was blessed with 
five children, as follows: John D., now dead, 
wdio was station agent at .Vdamsburg when 
fifteen years of age, and who married Cora 
Earhart of Snyder County, Pa., who bore 
him two children, E. C. and Mertie Irene; 
Samuel A., who has been in the employ of 
the Pemisylvania Railroad for eighteen years, 
since he was fifteen years of age, and is now 
a resident of Roaring Springs. Blair County, 
Pa.: a daughter, the wife of Charles A. 
Heintzman of Shamokin. who was one of the 
first letter-carriers in that city and is now in 
the postal service: Nellie, who is the wife of 
Charles La^rk, a leading attorney of Shamo- 
kin: Bertie, who is with her mother. Maj. 
Hamilton took great interest in fraternal so- 
cieties and was a Mason, a Knight Templar 
and Shriner: an Odd Fellow: and an enthu- 
siastic member of the Benevolent Order of 
Protective Elks. In politics he was a stanch 
Republican and was ver_\' active in the coun- 
cils of his party. 




LISHA M. ECKMAN of Kline's Grove 
is postmaster and one of the most 
prominent and active men in the 
community. He was born in Upper Augus- 
ta township, Northumberland County, Pa.. 



314 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



May lo, 1847, and is a son of Charles and 
Elizal)eth J. (Kline) I^cknian. 

The i)atcmal .qrandfather, Cliarles Eck- 
nian, was horn in \e\v Jersey and was the 
first of the family to locate in Upper Augusta 
townshi]). He married a Miss DeWiu. and 
they raised a large family of children. The 
maternal grandfather was John Kline of Rush 
township, who married i'lleanor Campbell. 
He was a shoemaker and always practiced his 
tr.ide in Rush township. His children were 
as follows: Rol.ert; Elizabeth: Caroline: 
Elisha; David. 

Our subject's father, Charles Eckman. was 
bnrn in l'p])er .Augusta township and lived 
there all his life, following the trade of black- 
•smith, and later in life was a farmer. Mr. 
Eckman was well known in politics, being 
an active member of the Whig i)artv. and 
during the war held many township ofifices. 
He was treasurer of the Bounty Fund and a 
member of the Alethodist Church, being 
clas.s-leader in the church for many years. 
His death, which occm-red in February. 1890. 
M-as greatly mourned by all, for he was a man 
of knid deeds and w.-u-ni heart, always willing 
to lend a helping hand. His wife. Elizabeth 
J. Kline Eckman. came from Ui)per .Augusta 
township and now li\es on the old home- 
-stead. She bore him ti\e children: John Ed- 
gar, a .soldier in the Rebellion, who died in 
1868, and who married Theresa Forrester: 
I'llisha M.. our subject; Margaret, deceased; 
Claris.sa Ann, deceased, who married H. C. 
Savidgc, and l)ore him two children, Grace 
and ICdgar: James 1^.. who lives with his 
mother on the old homestead and has been 
a teacher for a number of years. 

Elisha M. Eckman, the subject of this bi- 
ography, was educated in the common 
schools and lived at Ik. me until he was twen- 
ty-eight years of age. working at the car- 



i)enter tra.le for several years. On Januarv 
-'6, 1875. he married Mary Elizabeth (Reed) 
Campbell, widow of Harmon K. Campbell of 
Upper Augusta township, who died in 1871. 
Ho was a miller and also a farmer at Kline's 
Cirove, and had one son, Edward R. Camp- 
bell, who was bom January 18, 1865. Edward 
R. is a farmer, merchant and assistant-post- 
master at Kline's Grove. He was married 
March 30, i88r,, to Afary E. Hanpt of Snn- 
Inu-y, Ra., and they are blessed with two chil- 
dren, Melville, born July 22. 1887; and Har- 
mon E.. born July 10, 1897. 

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Eckman. our sub- 
ject's wife, was born January 19, 1840, at 
Reed's Station, Shamokin township, and is a 
daughter of Jacob G. and .Maria (HofYman) 
Reed; the latter was born November 13. 
1818: both, however, were born in Shamokin 
township. Mr. Reed was a farmer and died 
January 12. 1852; his wife .still resides on the 
old homestead. They were the parents of sev- 
eral children, as follows: Elizabeth, the wife 
of our subject: Sarah Jane, who died single; 
John H., who also died single: .Abraham H.. 
a farmer in Shamokin township, who married 
Lucy .\. Bugner; T.ydia .\nn, deceased, who 
was the wife of Peter Overdorf; Jacob G.. 
wheelwright and blacksmith at Pottsgrove, 
Pa., who married Elizabeth Teets, and who 
has two daughters. Belle and Gertrude. 

After his marriage our subject took up 
farming in Rush township, also working at 
his trade, continuing this until 1883, '^vhen he 
bought the Kline's Grove Mill property, a 
Mour and grist-mill. Mr. Eckman now runs 
a chop and saw-mill. He is a firm upholder 
of the Re])ublican party and has always voted 
Its ticket. He lias been postmaster at Kline's 
Grove for twenty-five years. He is known 
all o\er the county as an honest, upright cit- 
izen. Mr. lu-kman is also known for his 





^^i^^::^^^ 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



317 



warm and generous heart, never refusing help 
to a person in distress or in misfortune. 
Religiously ]\Ir. Eckman is an attendant of 
the Methodist Church. 



Ygl OLDEN CHESTER, a retired mine 
r^H operator of Shamokin, whose por- 
-^ V_^' trait is shown on the oppo- 
site page, has won an enviable reputa- 
tion among the best business men and is 
recognized as the personification of honor 
and integrity. He was born in the Green 
Mountain state, near tiie Canadian line, Sep- 
tember 30, 1833. He is a son of Joseph and 
Hannah Chester. He went with his parents 
to Schuylkill County, Pa., when quite young 
and was reared in that county. As his father 
died on a trip west when Holden was still a 
lad, he received no education worthy the 
name, but began life in the mines at the age 
of nine years, first working as a slate-picker. 
He continued working in and around the 
mines in that capacity, also assisting miners 
and dri\ing horses and mules inside, until he 
attained the age of fourteen years. At that 
age he apprenticed himself to learn the trade 
of a blacksmith at Tamaqua. serving six years 
and working from Pottsville to Tamaqua, a 
distance of sixteen miles. Having served the 
full apprenticeship and completely mastered 
the trade, at the age of twenty he began black- 
smithing in the coal regions, working at var- 
ious places, and continuing until about 1854, 
when stationary engineering engaged his at- 
tention for six years. He then served as out- 
side mine boss in the Schuylkill coal region 
until .\ugust, 1861. 

Our subject, in August, 1861, enlisted in 
the Union Army as a private in Company L. 
3rd Reg., Pa. \'ol. Cav., serving for three 



years; his service during the last six months 
was as a veterinary surgeon, acting under a 
commission from the Secretary of War, and 
as such he was mustered out of service, 
after serving all three years in the Army of 
the Potomac. After the war he again engaged 
as mine boss, taking charge of the erecting of 
a large collier)- at Williamstown, Dauphin 
County, remaining there for eight years as 
foreman or boss. In 1873 he removed to Sha- 
mokin, and has remained there ever since. 
He engaged as superintendent of the Mineral 
Railroad & Mining Company, comprising five 
collieries, all in the vicinity of Shamokin, antl 
served in thrit capacity until the Ijeginning of 
1880, when the Lykens \'alley and Williams- 
town collieries, three in number, were added 
to the five previously described, and Mr. Ches- 
ter was appointed general superintendent of 
all those collieries, which position he held un- 
til 1886. About that time he purchased an in- 
terest in the Union Coal Company, which op- 
erated three collieries in the vicinity of_ Sha- 
mokin; after taking charee of the mines he 
continued as superintendent of those collier- 
ies until 1893, when he sold his interests and 
withdrew. Since then he has looked after 
other affairs and has been interested in the 
bituminous coal fields of West Virginia, be- 
sides other enterprises in Shamokin. 

In 1883 Mr. Chester assisted in organizing 
the Shamokin electric light companies and, 
with the exception of one year has served as 
president. He is also president of the Sha- 
mokin Gas Company; is a director of the 
Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company; is 
a director of the Shamokin Pow-der Com- 
pany, and has been ever since its organiza- 
tion; he is president and largest stockholder 
of tiie Shamokin Packing Company. 

In the autunm of 1857 Mr. Chester was 
united in marriage with Christina C. Wilson, 



318 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



a native of Scotland. He and his wife have 
no cliil(h-en of tlieir own, but have reared sev- 
eral. Mr. Chester is actively interested in the 
subject of education, having served as school 
director for several years. He is a trustee of 
the Presbyterian Church and, fraternally, is a 
member of Lincoln Post No. 140, G. A. R.; 
Millcrsburg Lodge, F. & A. M.; Shamokin 
Cha|)ter No. 264, R. .\. M., and Shamokin 
Commandery, Knights Templar. 




()R1!1':S Jl. \'.\NN.\N, a born mechanic 
^ and a member of the firm of Curry & 
\'annan. who (i])erate a large foundry 
and machinc-sho]). is one of the popular and 
enterprising citizens of the town of Dan\ille. 
Pa. He descends from the sturdy Scotch 
race, liaxingbccn born in Glasgow, Scotland, 
and is a son of James \'annan. who was also 
a native of Scotland. 

James X'annan, father of our subject, re- 
sided in Scotland many years, where he was 
engaged as a machinist. He departed from his 
nati\'e country and settled in Carbondale, 
Luzerne County, Pa., where he followed his 
trade as a machinist. Later he nioxed to 
Kingston, Luzerne County, Pa., then to 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., where he sjient the 
remainder of his life in retirement. He 
died at the ad\anced age of eighty-two 
vears. He was joined in the l)onds of weillock 
to .Mar\- Ijinning, who ]);issed from this life 
aged forty-five years. .Mr. and Mrs. Vannan 
were tiie parents of a family of five children, 
as follows: Mary, who is the wife of James 
Eaton; James, a machinist in the shops of the 
D. & H. R. R. at Carbondale, Pa.; Joseph, a 
foundryman, and also a resident of Carbon- 
dale, Pa.; Forbes H., our subject; and 
Thomas, a tinsmith and gasfitter, who resides 
at Carbondale. 



Forbes H. A'annan, our subject, came to 
this country with his father and served an aj)- 
prenticeship to the machinist's trade in the 
D., L. & W. R. R. machine shops at Scranton 
and, owing to his rapid progress, he was soon 
made foreman of the D., L. & \V. R. R. shops 
at Kingston, Pa. He subsequently became 
superintendent of the Wyoming Valley Manu- 
facturing Company at Wilkesbarre. Pa., from 
whicli place he remo\ed to Danville in 188S 
and accepted a position as master mechanic 
in the rolling mills of that town. On Septem- 
ber 10, 1895, in partnership with Daniel M. 
Curry, he leased the Mahoning Foundry and 
Machine Shops and the firm has since been 
doing a large and successful business. \\ hen 
the rolling mill property went into the hands 
of a receiver, Curry & \'annan ])urcliased the 
entire foundry and machine-shop plant. -The 
firm manufactures all kinds of machinery, has 
the latest and most improved machinery in 
the shops and employs from fifty to ninety 
men continuously. They have also erected a 
large three-story pattern-house and have one 
of the best machine-shops in the town of Dan- 
ville. 

Mr. \'annan was imited in marriage to 
Emeline A. Parr, and three children ha\e 
blessed their home: Irvin, a mechanic: 
George, who died in infancy; and Walter. 
Mr. Vannan and family are highly esteemed 
by their neighbors and acquaintances and are 
amply filling their station as good citizens and 
valuable members of their community. In 
politics, our subject is a stanch Republican 
and cast his first presidential vote for Lincoln. 



OHN E. GALLAGHER, a youn- 
and enterprising business man of 
]\hmcy Valley, Sullivan County, holds 
the responsible iiosilion of bookkeei)er of 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



319 



the Union Tanning Company, the duties of 
which he has performed faitlifully and in a 
manner sucli as to gain llie Iiearty appnnal 
ot Iiis employers. He was born at Dushore, 
Sullivan County. January 15. 1865, and is a 
son of James and Mary (Brown) Gallagher. 

His paternal grandfather was Michael Gal- 
lagher, who was born in County Mayo, Ire- 
land, and inmiigrated to America, locating on 
a farm which he purchased at Dushore. Pa. 
This he cleared and resided upon until his 
death, at the age of sixty-five years. His 
wife was Sarah Dougherty, who died at the 
age of eighty years. Their union was blessed 
by eight children: Michael; James: An- 
thony; Sarah; Mary; Catherine; Bridget; 
and Ellen. 

James Gallagher, father of our subject, was 
also born in County Mayo, Ireland, and immi- 
grated to this country with his father. He 
succeeded to the ownershio of the family es- 
tate at Dushore and there has since followed 
farming. He is one of the substantial citi- 
zens of the community ami is held in high 
esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. He 
was united in marriage with Mary Brown. 
a daughter of Patrick and Mary (O'DonakD 
Brown, by whom he had se\'en children : 
Martin; Michael P.; John E. ; James J., 
and William, deceased; Thomas H.; and 
Mary E. 

John E. Gallagher attended the public 
schools of Dushore. after which he took a 
course at the Mansfield Normal School, and 
finally at Rochester University, from which 
he graduated in 1889. Previous to that 
time he taught for seven years in the public 
schools. After leaving college he moved to 
Sioux City, Iowa, where he was employed 
as a bookkeeper for two years. He then re- 
turned to his home at Dushore, where he 
accepted the position of clerk to county 



commissioner in 1894. and continued as such 
for three years. In 1S98 he accepted his 
present position with the Trust or L nion 
Tanning Compan\-, and is located at their 
Muncy \^alley ofticc. He has had years of 
experience in that line of work, and his rec- 
ord since assuming the duties of bookkeeper 
stamps him as a man well cpialified to bear 
its responsibilities. He is of a genial dispo- 
sition, is a pleasant companion and is very 
popular with his fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Gallagher was joined in matrimonial 
bonds with Catherine Kennedy, a daughter 
of Jeremiah Kennedy of Laporte. Sullivan 
County, whose biograjdiical record appears 
elsewhere in this volume, and they became 
the parents of the following children : James 
F. ; Thomas E.; Margaret; and Agnes. Po- 
litically our subject has always supported the 
Democratic party ami has held numerous 
local oiifices. In religious faith he is a Ro- 
man Catholic. 




OSEPH KOPP, a veteran of the Civil 
War. and inside-foreman at the Ster- 
ling Colliery near Shamokin. Xorth- 
umberland County, was born May 11, 
1 84 1, in Schuylkill Haven. Schuylkill Coun- 
ty, Pa., and is a son of Jacob and Harriet 
(Hain) Kopp. 

Jacob Kopp. our subject's father, a native 
of France, upon 'coming to the United States 
located in Schuylkill Haven, where he was 
engaged in mercantile business. He died 
when our subject was about five years of age, 
leaving two children: Joseph; and Mary. who. 
when she grew to womanhood, married Wil- 
liam Steinmetz, a boss at the Big Mountain 
Colliery. Northumberland County. 

Joseph Kopp, our subject, was reared in 



320 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Schuylkill County and was employed in col- 
lieries until he was eighteen years of age, 
after which he traveled around the country 
for about two years. In i860 he located in 
Shamokin, Pa., and became a coal miner, 
w orking in various collieries about Shamokin 
for several years. He then held the position 
of assistant foreman for Patterson, Llewellyn 
& Co. for about a year, after which he was 
promoted to the position of inside-foreman 
and remained with the company twelve years. 
Mr. Kopp next entered the employ of the 
Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Co., at 
Burnside Colliery, as inside-foreman, and in 
January, 1893, assumed that position at the 
Sterling Colliery, where he has since remained. 
During- the progress of the Ci\il War, in 
1862, he enlisted in Conii)any K, 36th Reg., 
Pa. Vol. Inf., and served about three months, 
but did not participate in any engagement, 
arriving on the tiekl just one day too late for 
the battle of Gettysburg. 

On Independence Day, 1861, Mr. Kopp 
married Henrietta Voder, a daughter of 
Isaac and Catherine (Beisel) Voder. Mrs. 
i\o]ip was born August 3, 1841, in Mahan- 
tango \'alley, Schuylkill County, where her 
father was born and reared, but when she was 
two years old, he removed to Shamokin and 
assisted in building the first railroad in that 
section of the county. Our subject's family 
consists of the following children : William 
and Mary, both deceased; Adam, who mar- 
ricil Susan Specht, is a loader-boss at the 
Sterling Colliery, and makes his home in the 
Mahanoy Valley; E^■a, the wife of Daniel 
Phillips, a miner and resident of Shamokin; 
Joseph D., a loader-boss at the Sterling Col- 
liery, who married Annie INIiller and resides 
in Shamokin; Jacob, deceased; Nora, the 
wife of William Bonscr of Potts\-ille, a car- 



penter by trade; and Sallie and Bertha, who 
are both at home. 

Socially our subject is a member of I>in- 
coln I'ost, No. 140, G. .\. K.; Schickalamy 
Tribe, No. 148, 1, O. R. M.; and also the De- 
gree of Pocahontas, all of Shamokin. 




^ I EV. WILLIAM A. HOUCK, a prom- 
inent clergyman of Mount Carmel, 
Pa., is a man of superior mental 
endowments and of e.xcellent education and 
character. He is a native of Huntingdon 
County, I'a., was born January 25, 1837, and 
is a son of Adams and Mary (Clark) Houck. 

The paternal grantlfather of our suljject was 
of German origin, and lived in Virginia; from 
there he went to Maryland, and thence to 
Huntingdon County, Pa., and was one of the 
pioneers of that county. One of his brothers, 
William Houck, served in the Revolutionary 
War. Adams Houck, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Huntingdon County, and 
followed farming and lumbering in that coun- 
ty until his death. Our subject's mother was 
of English origin; her father was Thomas 
Clark. 

Rev. William A. Houck, the sul)ject of this 
biography, was reared and educated in Hunt- 
ingdon County, attending the common 
schools and also the seminary at Cass\ille, 
Huntingdon <^"ounty. He taught school 
three winters, also taught in a select school, 
and then began the study of theology. In 
March, 1859, he joined the East Baltimore 
Conference and since that time he has 
preached continuously, most of his labors hav- 
ing been in what is now called the Central 
Pennsylvania Conference, He entered the 
Union Army in 1864 as chaplain of the 205th 
Reg., Pa. \'olunteers. and remained with that 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



321 



regiment until it was mustered out, in June, 
1865. He was presiding elder of the Harris- 
burg district for four years. Among his more 
proniineiU appoiiUnients ha\'e been Williams- 
port, Danville, Lock Haven, Bellefonte, Mil- 
ton, Hazleton, and Mount Carmel. Rev. Mr. 
Houck has the largest congregation in Mount 
Carmel, and the church has had continual 
and sul)stantial growth under his cliarge. 

Our subject married Lydia M. Dorland of 
Blair County, Pa., and several children have 
resulted from this union, as follows: Gertrude, 
the wife of W, B. Norris, an attorney of St. 
Joseph, Mo., who at one time held the otifice 
of district attorney; Florence N., the wife of 
W. T. Hildrup, a manufacturer of Harrisburg, 
Pa.; Evangeline M., the wife of Dr. H. M. 
Stine of Harrisburg, Pa.; Charles .\. B., an 
electrician at Hazleton, Pa.; Grace 15., living 
at home; William Herbert S., in the Auditor- 
General's Department at Harrisburg, Pa.; 
and Frank D., in the employ of the Pennsyl- 
vania Telephone Company at Lebanon, Pa. 

Rev. Mr. Houck is well known throughout 
the eastern and central parts of the state, and 
is a man of strict princiiiles and sjilendid judg- 
ment. He is highly respected, and is known 
to be a man who thoroughly practices all that 
he preaches. He is a man of much learning 
and wide experience, and has done nuich to 
advance the religious welfare of Mount Car- 
mel. 



» 



R. JAMES R. 



has a large ant 



and 



^MONTGOMERY 
ucrative practice in 
about the beautifully situated 
and prosperous village of Buckhorn, Colum- 
bia County, Pa. He is a son of Hugh R. 
and Sarah (Moll) Montgomery, and was born 
in Liberty township, Montour Countv, May 
15,1858. ' ." 



The Montgomery family is of Scotch-Irish 
origin, and James Montgomery, our subject's 
grandfather, was born in the North of Ire- 
land, and after following his profession, that 
of sea-captain, for some years he came to 
America about 1760, locating on the banks of 
the Chillisquaque Creek, in what is now Lib- 
erty township, Montour County, when that 
section was almost a wilderness and inhabited 
onlv by Indians and wild beasts of the forest. 
He was joined in wedlock with a Miss Shed- 
den, and they reared a family of children, one 
of whom was Hugh R., the father of our sub- 
ject. He formed a second alliance with a Mrs. 
Burns, nee Harvey, who was a native of that 
section of the county. 

Hugh R. Montgomery was born on the old 
homestead in Liberty township, in 1819, was 
one of the leading agriculturists of that sec- 
tion, and followed farming in the fertile val- 
ley of the lovely Suscpiehanna until his death 
in 1881. In his political afifiliations he was a 
Democrat and served as justice of the peace 
for manv years. He was a consistent member 
of and elder in the Presbyterian Church. As 
a result of his union with Sarah S. Moll, a 
daughter of Daniel F. and Mary (Seidel) Moll, 
five sons and four daughters were born, name- 
ly: James R., whose name heads these lines; 
John S., a merchant of Pottsgrove, North- 
umberland County; Mary E., the wife of 
Charles N. Marsh of Milton, Northumber- 
land County; Sarah A., the wife of William 
H. Eckman, a farmer of Chillisquaque town- 
ship, Northumberland County; Daniel M., a 
merchant of Pottsgrove; William A., a farm- 
er who lives on, and owns, the old homestead; 
H. Bryson, a photographer of Milton; Clara 
B., who with her mother lives at Pottsgrove, 
Pa.; and Alice J., the wife of William B. 
Shedden, a theological student at Princeton, 
N.J. 



322 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Dr. James R. Mi)iit,<^oniery was rearc<l on 
the farm, and received his education in tlie 
public schools of his native town and at Mil- 
lersvi"e State Norma! School. Upon leaving 
school he began teaching at the age of seven- 
teen years, during which time he also studied 
for the medical profession in the office of Dr. 
C. H. Dougal of Milton, I'a., and in 1880 he 
graduated from the Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege of Philadelphia, Pa. He also took a 
number of special courses in surgery, anato- 
my, etc. Immediately after graduation he en- 
tered upon his first practice at Twelfth and 
Mifflin streets, Philadelphia, where he con- 
tinued for two years. In 18S2 he removed to 
lUickhorn, Pa., where he has since resided 
and has accjuired a large practice in the vi- 
cinity. He is an active member of the Co- 
luml)ia County Medical Society; of the Penn- 
sylvania State Aledical .Society; and of the 
.American Medical .\ssociation. He is a pub- 
lic-spirited man and is much interested in the 
advancement of his village and county, being 
closely connected with the following business 
enterprises; stockholder in the Columbia 
County Agricultural Society and of the 
])looms1)urg Desk Factory; and a stock- 
holder and director of the North Branch Fur- 
niture Factory of Bloomsburg. 

Dr. Montgomery takes a lively interest in 
the schools, churches and business enterprises 
of his chosen home and is always ready to 
encourage by word or act all, especially the 
young, who are endeavoring to improve them- 
selves and their surroundings. He is much 
interested in politics and, not being a seeker 
after office either present or prospective, can 
fairly lay claim to the title of independent 
voter. The Doctor thinks that the desire to 
be a physician was "born and bred" in him, 
and fairly proves it by the fact that two 
uncles, two brothers-in-law and a nephew are 



niend)crs of that arduous but noble profession. 
In October, 1887, Dr. Montgomery was 
united in hymeneal bonds with Daisy M. Har- 
ris, a daughter of the late Jacob and Sarah .\. 
(Shoemaker) Harris, a merchant and general 
business man of Buckhorn, by whom he has 
two children, James R., Jr., and Maud. 



77^ HARLES L. KREMER. In the 
I J| whole of Northumberland County 
^^ -^ there is no more popular or more 
efificient public oflicer than the gentleman 
whose name appears above, who is no\v hold- 
ing the county office of prothonotary. Si.x 
years' ser\ice as deputy sheriff and three 
years' faithful work as deputy county treas- 
urer ser\'ed to develo]i and perfect all his ad- 
ministrative abilities and to render him a pow- 
er in the politics of the Seventeenth Congres- 
sional District. .Although a veteran in po- 
litical experience his career has been singu- 
larly free from embitterments and rankling 
enmities, for he considers friendship to be a 
thing that should not count too much in i)oli- 
tics, and tries to exclude the element in his 
own struggles for political supremacy. \\'e 
mean by this that Mr. Kremer does not 
choose his friends only from his own party, 
for f)fttimes his l)itterest ])olitical antagonist 
may be his warm ])crsonal friend. Our sub- 
ject has a splendid record behind him and, 
judging from the good-will extended toward 
him and the good-will in which he is held 
everywhere throughout the county, he is 
destined to serve the best interests of his fel- 
low-citizens for nian_\- years to come. 

Mr. Kremer was born in Allenwood, Union 
County, Pa., January 4, 1857, and is a son 
of Jacob L. and Julia (Allen) Kremer. The 
familv ori"inallv was of German stock, but it 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



323 



is now thoroughly Americanized by many 
years' residence in tlie United States. Our 
subject's grandfather, who was a native of 
(Jley township. Berks County, Pa., was a 
weaver by trade. In 1829 he located at Mil- 
ton, Northumberland County, to pursue his 
trade, but soon decided to engage in farming 
also, and was a tenant successively of the Sit- 
zel farm near McEwensville and the De Ar- 
mond farm near the ^^'arri()r Run Churcli. 
(Jn each place he remained two years, follow- 
ing the weaver's trade for the most part, but 
also doing some farming. In 1834 he en- 
gaged in farming in White Deer Valley, 
Union County, after which he kept hotel one 
year in White Deertownship. Later he re- 
moved to Allenwood. Union County, and 
kept a hotel the remainder of his life, dying 
in 1845, aged forty-five years. He married 
Sarah Levan, and their family consisted of 
three sons and three daughters. 

Jacob Kremer, the father of the subject of 
these lines, was born in Albany township. 
Berks County, Pa., April 30. 1837. He went 
with the family into Northund)erland County, 
and then into Union. The common schools 
of the localities where his boyhood days were 
passed furnished him with the rudimental 
principles of an education that was never fully 
completed in the schools, but was gradually 
built up by experience in varied walks of life. 
Upon attaining his majority Jacob engaged 
in dealing in live stock at Allenwood, contin- 
uing to be thus employed until 1867, when he 
removed to Armstrong township, Lycoming 
County, Pa. Williamsport became his place 
of residence in 1869 and there he continued 
on an extensive scale his dealings in stock, 
and also engaged in raising thoroughbred 
horses. In the month of April, 1875, our sub- 
ject's father located at Dewart, Northumber- 
land County, as proprietor of a hotel. Four 



years later he became the proprietor of the 
Mansion House at Watsontown, which he 
successfully conducted during the remainder 
of his life, his death occurring in that borough 
in 1892. While the War of the Rebellion was 
in progress Mr. Kremer dealt very extensive- 
ly in horses, furnishing animals for all 
branches of the army service. 

For many years Jacob Kremer was a leader 
in the Republican party of Northumberland 
County and the present ascendancy of the Re- 
publican organization in the county came in 
great part from his own indefatigable exer- 
tions. When he was first nominated for the 
ofifice of sherifif in 1881 by the Republican par- 
ty he was defeated by a large Democratic ma- 
jorit}-, but nothing daunted, he allowed his 
name to be used again in 1884 and threw him- 
self with force and vim into the canvass, with 
the result that he became the first Republican 
sheriff the county had had for many years liy 
the comfortable margin of 274 votes. He 
gave the best of satisfaction throughout his 
term of three years, which expired in 1887. 
In that year, before the expiration of his 
term, he received his party's nomination for 
the office of county treasurer, and was elected 
to that position by a majority of 764 votes, 
the largest gains having been made in his 
own district, where he was better known, but 
still the gains were not confined to the one 
district, being spread over most of the coun- 
ty. In 1890 he was again nominated for 
sheriff', but he was defeated along with the 
whole Republican ticket. It was one of those 
rexerses that come like a late frost in the 
spring. On January 6, 1854, he married 
Julia A. Allen, eldest daughter of Isaac and 
Jane (Piatt) Allen of Allenwood, Union 
County, Pa. Isaac Allen was of Scotch-Irish 
descent; the village where he lived and of 
which he was the most prominent resident 



324 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



was named Alleinvood in lioiior of liim. In 
the parental family were burn nine children, 
five of whom sur\ive at this date, and these 
last are as follows: Sarah A., wife of C'harles 
G. Pursell of Jersey City, N. J.; Allen I., one 
of the i)roprietors of the ^lansion House at 
Watsontown, the successor of his father; 
Daniel A., who is interested with Allen I., 
in conducting the Mansion House; Charles 
L., the subject of this historical notice; and 
Jennie Lee, who resides in Watsontown. 

Charles L. Kremer, in wdiom the interest 
of this sketch centers, was educated in the 
^\'illiamsport public schools. Leavins; school 
in 187J he entered a C(iuntr_\- store in Allen- 
wood as a clerk and remained there in faith- 
ful, diligent service twelve years, until 1884. 
In 1885 he removed to Sunbury as deputy 
sheriff under his father and served three 
years, milil 1888, when he was made deputy 
county treasurer under his father. In Jan- 
uary, 1891, without the loss of a day's time, 
he became deputy sheriff under Robert Mont- 
gomery, stejiping from one office directly to 
another. Mr. Montgomery was tlie man who 
defeated our subject's father in the last polit- 
ical contest in which Jacob Kremer engaged 
before his death; it is a decidedly singular 
occurrence that a successful candidate for 
office should choose as his assistant the son 
of his political antagonist, but this graceful 
act only goes to show the good feeling that 
prevailed all through the campaign and made 
defeat all the easier to bear, and victory the 
better to enjoy. In the fall campaign of 1893 
Charles L. Kremer was elected prothonotary. 
taking possession of his office in 1894; he 
was re-elected in 1896 and will continue to 
serve until the expiration of his term in 1900. 

The marriage ceremony that united the 
lives of oiu" subject and his wife, then Mrs. 
Kate \'an Horn, nee Finney, daughter of 



Hamilton Finney of Kansas City, Mo., was 
performed February 25, 1897. Mr. Kremer 
is a gentleman of noble instincts, congenial 
and friendly, and always aims to please those 
with whom he is thrown in contact. His 
firmness, however, is a trait that should not 
be overlooked. Fie has made an excellent 
official for Northumberland County and is 
regarded as a verv influential citizen. 




t-j| EV. GEORGE H. HEMINGWAY, 
who was called to the pastorate of 
the Presbyterian Church of 
Bloomsburg February 19, 1897, has won his 
way into the hearts of his parishioners by the 
conscientious manner in which he labors to 
elew'ite the moral and social condition of the 
church and conmumity at large. He is a na- 
tive of England, having been born in York- 
shire, February 4, 1858, and is a son of Jo- 
seph and Sarah (Furniss) Hemingway. The 
Hemingways are an old and well-known 
family of \\'est Riding, 'S'orkshire, England, 
where for luany years thev ha\e been chietly 
engaged in mining pursuits. 

Joseph Hemingway, the father of our sub- 
ject, who is now living in retirement, was en- 
gaged in mining and the manufacture of 
bricks. He formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Sarah Furniss and they became the 
proud parents of a son, George H., a record 
of whose life is here given. 

Rev. George H. Hemingway, after com- 
pleting his academic education, took up the- 
ological studies under Drs. Milner and Ben- 
nett of Huddersfield, and later passed the ex- 
amination at the Sunderland Theological In- 
stitute in England in 1880. In 1882 he left 
his native soil and sought a home in freedom- 
loving America. He went to Kansas and was 





JOSEPH L. SHANNON. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



327 



licensed to preach in the Wesleyan Methodist 
Church at Beloit, Kans.. September 20, 1884, 
remaining there one year. He moved to Col- 
lege Springs, Iowa, where he held a charge 
for three and one-half years, and in October, 
1889. lie united with the Presbyterian 
Church, in which he preached for one year 
at ^lapleton, N. D. Again returning to Iowa, 
he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church 
at West Branch for three years, and for one 
year preached at Tipton. His next charge 
was the First Church of Carthage, Mo., which 
he held for three or four years, and on Feli- 
ruary 19, 1897, he was called to his present 
pastorate, that of the Presbyterian Church of 
Bloomsburg. In June, 1897, the degree of 
D. D. was conferred upon him by the Presby- 
terian College at Hastings, N. D. 

Dr. Hemingway is of a kind and sympa- 
thetic disposition and has made friends rap- 
idly in the various communities in which he 
has lived. On July 29, 1883, be and Sarah 
Swift, a daughter of Dean Swift and a native 
of Mirfield, Eng.. took the marriage vows, 
and they are the happy parents of four chil- 
dren : Reginald S.; Vera E. ; Rowland !•".; 
and Harold G. 



OSEPH L. SHANNON'. The largest 
and best e(|uipped meat market in 
Danville is that conducted Ijy Joseph 
L. Shannon, the subject of this biographical 
sketch, and his son. under the firm name 
Shannon & Company. The establishment is 
located on Mill street, in Danville, but Mr. 
Shannon makes his residence in Riverside, 
Northumberland County, where he owns a 
fine home at D avenue and Sixth street. 

Mr. Shannon was born in Muncv tdwiisbip, 
Lycoming County, Soptcnilicr 14, 1S32, and 



is a son of Jesse and Rebecca (Lewis) Shan- 
non. His grandfather was Daniel Shannon, 
w ho was a native of New Jersey and a pioneer 
farmer of Northumberland County, Pa., 
where he lived during his latter days. He was 
the father of the following children: Daniel; 
John; Jesse; Wesley; Susan; Mary; and 
Hettie. 

Jesse Shannon, the father of our subject, 
was born in Milton and, after learning the 
cooper's trade. mo\ed to Bloomsburg, Co- 
lumbia County, in 1834. He followed his 
trade in that town until 1843, when he moved 
upon a farm and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits until he retired to spend his declining 
years in ease. He passed into the unknown 
beyond in 1884, at the advanced age of eighty 
years. He served as constal)le of Blooms- 
burg for three years, and was also tax collec- 
tor for some time. He was one of the old 
pioneers who established the INIethodist Epis- 
copal Church in Bloomsburg and \icinity and 
helped to build two churches. He was an act- 
ive worker in the Sunday School and was a 
liberal supporter of the church financially. He 
was united in marriage with Rebecca Lewis, 
a daughter of Joseph Lewis, and they were 
the happy parents of the following children; 
Samuel, who died at the age of forty-three, 
was a Methodist minister; Joseph L.. in 
whom the interest of this sketch centers; John 
W.; Jared Y., deceased; Jesse, deceased; 
James, who died in childhood; and Mary J., 
the wife of H. F. Omens. Mrs. Shannon 
passed to her eternal rest at the age of forty- 
nine years, and Mr. Shannon formed a sec- 
ond alliance with Annie E. Evans, and their 
children were; Joshua A.; Sarah Iv.: and 
one who died in infanc_\". 

Joseph L. Shannon attended the i)ublic 
schools and at the age of eighteen years be- 
came an ai)i)rentice to the harnessmakcr's 



328 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



trade witli John Markle of Providence, Pa. 
After a period of three years lie moved to 
Ploomsburg, Columbia County, w here he en- 
tered the employ of J. K. Grotz, remaining 
with that gentleman until i>>^.\. when he en- 
gaged in the boating business for one year. 
He then associated himself with a Mr. Bom- 
boy, under the firm name Bomlwy & Shan- 
non, in the meat Inisiness at Bloomsburg, 
which they followed with good results until 
the spring of iSbj, when the firm was -dis- 
solved by mutual consent, fn October, 1862, 
our subject was drafted to serve in the Union 
Army during the Civil War. but sent a sub- 
stitute. In i8C)5 he enlisted in Company B, 
103d Reg., T'a. \'ol. Inf., as a sergeant, serv- 
ing faithfully to the close of the war. In 1866 
he again opened a meat market in Blooms- 
burg, to which he added a com])lete stock of 
groceries, and conducted it with good results 
until 1870, when he disposed of it and took 
u]) his residence in Riverside, where he has 
since resided. On market days he conducted 
a curb market in Danville until October i. 
1884, when, in partnership with his son, Jesse 
H., lie established a meat market on Mill 
street in Danville, which they still conduct. 
Mr. Shannon's varied experience and com- 
IM'ehen.sive knowledge of the bu.siness has 
given to him the skill by which he is enabled 
to choose only the best meats for bis custom- 
ers. He not only handles beef, but deals in 
pork, mutton, lamb, veal and pt)u!lry, as well 
as cured and smoked meats and sau.sage. The 
tirm does a very large business and numbers 
among its patrons the leading citizens of Dan- 
ville. Our subject is a courteous and agree- 
able gentleman, highly esteemed in business 
circles as a man of strict integrity, and fully 
deserves the success he is meeting. 

On May 17, 1853, our subject was joined 
in wedlock to .\nna ^1. Hess, a daughter of 



Jacob and Margaret Hess of Bloomsburg, Co- 
Ir.mbia County. To them have been born the 
following children: John Lewis, deceased; 
.\nna Maria, deceased; Ralph C, a florist of 
Ri\'erside; Jesse H., who is in business with 
his father, married Maggie Gulick, and they 
have three children, Helen, Ethel and Clyde; 
Charles L., deceased; Rebecca Jane, the wife 
of William Kimble; Emma A., the wife of 
R. B. Bird, a record of whose life appears else- 
where in this Book of Biographies; Joseph 
Wellington, Esq., a resident of Phila(lel])hia. 
with ;ui olTice at 1414 South Penn Scpiare; 
So])liia .\nn, a teacher in the pulilic schools, 
is one of twins born to her parents, the other 
dying in infancy; Eva Mary, who is Mrs. 
John Landua, abso had a twin sister who died 
yoimg; and Catherine Elizabeth, a teacher. 

Mr. Shannon has l)een very active in pub- 
lic affairs and was chief burgess of Riverside 
for four successive terms. Religiously he is 
a Methodist and in 1871 organized the first 
class in the Sunday School of the M. E. 
Church, and the meetings were held in the 
school house. In 1872 he assisted materially 
in building a church edilice for that denomina- 
tion, in which ( irace ICpiscopal Church is now- 
located. In J 878 he aided in building the 
present M. E. Church, of which Rev. F. S. 
Vought is the ])re,sent ])astor, and has since 
acted as steward, trustee and an active class 
leader. Mr. Shannon's portrait is shown on 
another page in connection with the above 
sketch. 




XTIK ).\A- CLOCKLER. In the lit- 
tle country village. Lake Run, the 
gentleman whose name appears on 
the aboxe line is successfully engaged in con- 
ducting a grocery store and is also the pro- 
prietor of a farm in that vicinity. He was 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



;i29 



born in Phifendirf, Baden, Germany, May 8, 
1826, and is a son of Martin and Rosalia 
(Glockler) Cilockler, both of whom were na- 
tive and life-long residents of Germany. 

Anthony Glockler was brought up in his 
native country and was apprenticed to the 
cabinet-making trade, which he pursued many 
years. Convinced that the United States af- 
forded more opjiortunities for a young man 
just starting out in life, in 1854 he left his 
nati\'e country and shortly after his arrival in 
New York City he learned of other German 
families residing in Sullivan County. Pa., and 
consequently he joined them. Having but 
little capital he purchased fifty acres of land 
north of his present home; there he cleared 
the land and erected a house and, in addition 
to carrying on farming, he also made chairs 
and other household furniture for the settlers. 
Our subject, who had been quite successful 
up to that time, with many other settlers 
found that his title to his purchase was worth- 
less, which meant the loss of a home and con- 
siderable money. By perseverance and cour- 
age he bought his present homestead of fifty 
acres of George Schill. He has erected a 
house and substantial barns and outbuildings 
and made many other improvements, putting 
the land under a fine state of cultivation. He 
has erected a small store, carries a good stock 
of groceries and also keeps the postoffice for 
the village. Mr. Glockler is a shrewd, sub- 
stantial business man and is greatly respected 
by his many friends for his sterling worth. He 
has reared and educated a large family of chil- 
ilren, all of whom are highlv esteemed and 
classed among the prominent citizens of the 
different communities in which they reside. 

Mr. Glockler was wedded in Germany to 
Margaret Bannnmk, a daughter of Philip and 
Elizabeth (Retig) Banmunk. 1 ler parents 
reared the following children : .Margaret, Bar- 



bara, Adam, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Louisa. 
Mrs. Glockler was born in Reisenbach, Hcs- 
sen-Darmstadt, Germany, August 3, 1834. and 
is the mother of the following family of chil- 
dren : Josephine, born in New York City, 
August 10, 1856, wdio is the wife of Frederick 
Knepper, and they are the parents of three 
children, — Annie, Carrie, and Mary; Rose, 
born March 9, 1858, was wedded in 1878 to 
.Austin Brown and four children were born to 
them, Carrie, deceased, Maggie, Julia, and 
Alyra; Elizabeth, born May 8, i860, wedded 
to E. J. I'orter and their home has been 
blessed by four children, — Rosalia, Georgia, 
Orphelia, and Roy; David, born June 21, 
1861, was united in marriage in i88g to Mat- 
tie Whiteleg, by whom he reared three chil- 
dren, — .\lbert, Charles, and Koy; Caroline, 
l)orn August 18, 1862, was united in mar- 
riage in 1882 to Charles Heinze, and three 
children were born to this union, — Anthony, 
Lillie, and Nora; Anthony, born May 26, 
1864, and in 1884 wedded Annie Hugo, 
who bore him two children, — Mamie and 
Julia; Philip, born March 13, 1866, was 
wedded in 1898 to Carrie Hess; Charles, born 
March 24, 1868, wedded Rose Bowers in 
January, 1896, and died March 31, 1896; 
Adam was born February 19, 1870; Ada, born 
June 27, 1872; Christina, born March 15, 
1875, and died May 18, 1876; and Annie, 
born July J 3, 1877, the wife of Glen Warner, 
and the)- are the parents of two children, — 
Ruby P. and Ira. Religiously our subject is 
a Lutheran. In politics he is independent. 



OHN K. GROTZ, who for many years 
was engaged in the harnessmaking 
trade and conducted a tannery, is now 
living in retirement in the town of Blooms- 
burg where he is held in high esteem and has 
the confidence and respect of his fellow-citi- 



330 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



zens among- wlnnn lu- lias spenl nearly liis 
entire life, lie has a distinct recollection of 
P.loomslnirg when it was in its infancy and 
there were but two frame hotises in the town, 
in one of which he was born October 22, 
i<Sio. He is the .son of Abraham and Mary 
(Knhn) Grotz, who at his birth dwelt in a 
fiamc house on the corner of Iron and Sec- 
ond streets. 

Abraham Grotz, father of our subject, was 
l)()rn in I-'aston. Pa., and in 1806 removed to 
r.loomsburg, where he built the first frame 
housein the town. Tiierehewasengaged in the 
manufacture of silk and fur hats by hand until 
1832, wlien he moved to Ohio. He located 
near Uniontown, Stark County, ()., where he 
purchased a farm and became a prosperous 
farmer, remaining there until his death, which 
occurred at the age of seventy-five years. He 
was united in marriage to Mary Kuhn, a 
daughter of John Kuhn, who also attained an 
advanced age before overtaken by death, and 
ihey became the parents of the following chil- 
dren : Eliza; Julia .Ann; David; Rachel; John 
K., in whom the interest of this sketch cen- 
ters; Maria; Rebecca; Susan; and .Xbraham. 
These children were reared under religious in- 
fluences and upon reaching maturity became 
a credit to the various communities in which 
lliey lived. 

John K. Grotz learned the trade of a har- 
nessmaker early in life and followed the trade 
with Isaac Green until September,- 1830, at 
the head of Market street. In 1830 Mr. Green 
went west and our subject succeeded to the 
ownership of the establishment. He then pur- 
chased the lot where he now resides and 
erected a shop there and later a residence. He 
continued to follow harnessmaking until 1866, 
when he retired to devote his attention to a 
tannery wliich he built in 1851 on a lot on 
llendi)ck street, which he purchased in 1850. 



He continued to operate his tannery with al- 
most phenomenal success until 1870, when, 
on account of his declining years, he decided 
to retire. Our subject is a typical self-made 
man, having had nothing but his own efforts, 
industry and enterprise to aid him when he 
started in business. He is an enterprising 
man, ever having the interest oi his native 
town and county at heart. He has been iden- 
tified with many other local business ven- 
tures and has always been regarded as a valu- 
able counselor, much respected for his excel- 
lence of character, gentleness and kindness of 
disposition, and politeness of maiuier. He 
has an excellent memorv- and is almost dailv 
referred to in regard to some event which 
transpired during his young manhood, and 
he ne\er fails to answer correctly and satis- 
factc^rilv all queries ])Ut to him. Mr. (irotz 
is wonderfully ])reserved for one of his years, 
his mental faculties being unimpaired, and 
physically he is as strong and active as men 
manv vears his junior. 

Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Elizabeth Fister, a daughter of fienry 
Fister of Catawissa, I 'a., and they became the 
]irnud parents of five children: Mary ^I., 
widow of the late Norman J. Hendershot; 
Hervey H., cashier of the Bloomsburg Bank- 
ing Compan}-; Henr)- C, wlio li\es in a house 
in Hemlock township, where the tannery for- 
merly stood; and a daughter, who died in 
infancy. In religious belief Mr. Grotz is a 
faithful member of the Lutlieran Church. So- 
cially, he was fornierlv a meml)er of the Odd 
Fellows Lodge. He has been closely identi- 
fieil with numerous enterprises, and was one 
of the original stockholders and directors of 
the National Bank of Danville; was one of 
the original organizers and stockholders of 
the h'irst National Bank of Bloomsburg, but 
sold his interest in 1870 and became a director 




KKW KUWAKl) A. SllARRKlTS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



333 



of the Banking Company of Bloomsl)uig; lie 
is a director of the B. & L. R. R., and a stock- 
holder in the D., L. & \V. R. R. He is a 
Democrat in his political belief and has served 
many times as treasurer of tlie board of poor 
directors for the district of Bloomsburg, 
which ofKice he has held for the past twenty 
years, and has held many other mincjr offices. 



Tk^ EV. EDWARD A. SHARRETTS, 
I r\ one of the oldest ministers of Colum- 
-L V,_^ bia County, who has had charge of 
the Lutheran Church at Briarcreek, Colum- 
bia County, for the ])ast twelve years, was 
born in Carlisle, Pa., October 8, 1825, and is 
a son of Frederick and Catherine (Gaugler) 
Sharretts. 

Frederick Sharretts, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Bea\'ertown, Sn}-der Coun- 
ty, Pa., and in his early manhood learned the 
trade of a harnessmaker, which business he 
followed a number of years. When the War 
of 1812 broke out he enlisted in the army and 
at the close of the war held the rank of ma- 
jor. Returning to that |jart of Union County 
now known as Snyder County, he followed 
farming a few years and then moved to Car- 
lisle, Pa., and after residing there a short 
time he became register and recorder of Cum- 
lierland County, which office he tilled several 
years. In 1838 he moved to Johnstown. Pa., 
where he became collector of tolls on the 
Pennsylvania Canal and the old Portage Rail- 
road, having been api)ointed i)y Gov. Ritner. 
Later he took up his trade as harnessmaker. 
whicli he followed until his death. Politicallv 
he was a stanch Whig, and served as justice 
of the peace for a number of years, and up 
to the time of his death. In religious views 
lie was a member of the Lutheran Church 



and served as deacon and elder of that church 
a number of years. He was united in mar- 
riage with Catherine Gaugler, a native of 
Snyder County, and as a result of the union 
se\en sons and si.x daughters were liorn to 
them, namely: Rev. Nicholas (i., deceased, 
who was a Lutheran minister residing at In- 
diana, Pa.; Elizabeth, deceased, who was 
twice wedded, — first to John Rudisill, and 
upon his death, to Moses Canon of Johns- 
town, Pa.; John Frederick, a retired citizen 
of Baltimore, Md., who was for many years 
a clerk for the U. S. Government at Wash- 
ington; Isabella, widow of the late William 
Swartz of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Benjamin, de- 
ceased; William, deceased; Cordelia, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of William Dysert 
of Gettysburg, Pa.; Jacob R., a soldier of the 
Rebellion, who is a resident of Johnstown, 
Pa.; Susanna, who married John K. Sheyock, 
both now deceased; (George li. \\'., a prom- 
inent merchant of Smicksburg, Pa.; and Ed- 
ward A., the subject of this sketch. 

Edward A. Sharretts supplemented his pri- 
mary education received in the common 
schools by a thorough and complete course 
of study at Pennsylvania College at Gettys- 
burg, and graduated from that institution in 
the class of 1851. He then entered the Luth- 
eran Tlieological Seminary at ( Jetty sburg, 
where he remained one year. He then taught 
school at Selinsgrove, Pa., for eighteen 
months, and while there accepted an oft'er 
made by John S. Crumbacli, then principal of 
the Lancaster High School, to assist him in 
teaching his classes and to study theology at 
the same time, and a short time later was 
licensed to preach by the Lutheran Synod of 
Pennsylvania, in 1853. Rev. Mr. Sharretts 
was ordained at Bloomsburg in 1854 and re- 
mained in charge of the Bloomsburg charge 
si.x years, when, on account of his health, Iil- 



334 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



moved to Mount I'leasant. I'a. After a rest 
of six months, he accejjted a i)astorate at 
Orangeville, wliere he remained six _\ear,s. 
He next had charge of tlie Lutheran Clmrch 
at Danville. T'a., and then was called to Mun- 
cy, Lycoming County. This charge was com- 
])osed of two churches, Muncy and Huglies- 
ville. He remained there three years. He 
then returned to t'oliunhia Countv and ac- 
cepted a call to the Eriarcreek Church, re- 
maining there eight years. He was tlien sent 
to Es])y to preach, and after nine vears of 
service there returned to Briarcreek, and has 
retained his position as pastor of the churcli 
for the past twelve years. Rev. Air. Sh;ir- 
retts has been a minister of the Lutheran 
Church for forly-lne years. 

( )ur sul)jecl is a nu-ndier of the .Masonic 
h;ilernity: lias been a uieuilier of the board 
of directors of the .Sn>(|uelianna Cni\ersitv 
for the ])ast ten years; was one of the found- 
ers of the Sus(|uehanna Synod, and has l)een 
;i member since it was organized, in 1868. He 
has been united in marriage three times; his 
first wife was Sophia Slrickhouser of Gettys- 
burg. His second wife was Charity Creveling, 
a daughter of the late Andrew Crev- 
eling of Bloomsburg, am 
three children were born, 



to this union 
iiamelv; Luth- 



er Keller, 



employee of the B. &■ O. 



I\. I\. at Bnmswick, Aid.; .\ndrcw Fred- 
erick, a machinist residing at Berwick, Co- 
lumbia County: and iMlward Lincoln, who 
is employed by The Jackson & Woodin Man- 
ufacturing Company of Berwick. He formed 
a third matrimonial alliance with I'iliza A. 
Kelchner, a daughter of Abraham .Martz 
Kelchner, deceased, who was a jiromiiient 
citizen of Briarcreek township, Columbia 
County, Pa. Mrs. Sharretts died November 
26, 189S, aged sixty-four years and three 
months. 



-\s one who has labored long and well in 
the service of the Master, we take pleasure 
in announcing that a portrait of Rev. Mr. 
Sharretts ap])ears on a preceding page in con- 
nection with the above sketcli of his life. 



-\MLS 11. MLUCIlR, postmaster and 
I)roprietor of the leading drug-store 
of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, 
I'a., aiid one of the representative citizens of 
that town, was born at Mt. Vernon, Otis 
townshi]), Knox Countw Ohio, June 20, 1858, 
and is a son of \\'illi;iin and Nancy (Honey) 
Mercer. 

William .Mercer is a son of Levi Alercer 
and is a iiatise of the st;ite of l'eniis\l\ ani;i. 
! !e li\ed the most of his life in Kno.x County, 
wliere he was engaged in tilling the soil on 
the old homestead; he was also local preacher 
in the PjajHist Church of his town for many 
years. He was joined in marriage to Nancy 
Honey, and the following children were born 
to them: Albaii R.; James H.. the subject 
of this sketch: iMank T. ; Carrie E., deceaseil; 
Clement L. ; William C; George S.; Susan 
M.; and Lee 1). 

James H. Mercer attended the public 
schools and remained under the parental roof 
until he was eighteen years of age and then 
began clerking in a store at Utica, Ohio. 
Later he entered the College of Pharmac\- at 
I'liiladelphia and was graduated from that 
institution in 1881; he immediately went to 
Mt. Holly, N. J., where he was employed as 
a clerk in a drug-store. In 1884 he removed 
to Bloomsburg and purciiased the drug-store 
of J. H. Kinport, which he enlarged, and to- 
day he conducts one of the best patronized 
drug-stores in Bloomsburg. On February 8, 
1803, our subject was a])i)ointed postmaster 
of liloomsburg. which position he still holds 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



335 



and fills to the satisfaction of the pnl^hc and 
Post Office Department. 

Our subject was joined in the bonds of 
matrimony to Annie Mary Brugler, a daugh- 
ter of Peter Brugler, a granddaughter of 
Jolm Brugler and great-granddaughter of Pe- 
ter Brugler. Peter Brugler, Sr., was a native 
of Limestone, Montour County, Pa., and 
about 1790 he nxoved to Jerseytown, Colum- 
liia County, Pa., and later to Hemlock town- 
ship, Columbia County, where he purchased 
200 acres of uncultix'ated land. He cleared part 
of his farm and engaged in farming, ana was 
one of the pioneer settlers of that district. 
He passed from this life aged ninety-four 
years; his wife died at the age of seventy 
years. They reared one son, John, who mar- 
ried Mary A. King of New Jersey; they re- 
sitled upon the old homestead, and he pur- 
chased a tract of 160 acres which adjoined 
the original homestead. He retired to the 
town of Bloomsburg, where he died, aged 
sixty years; his wife died aged fifty-nine 
years. They were the parents of three sons 
and two daughters : Peter; James R.; Elisha; 
Martha, wife of Layton Runyon of Blooms- 
burg, and Mary, widow of Rev. Edward War- 
din, formerly of Bloomsburg, who died in 
Carthage, Mo., in 1897. Peter and Elisha 
carried on agricultural pursuits until 1872, 
when Peter Brugler nio\ed to Bloomsliurg 
and retired from active life, with the excep- 
tion of looking after his estate. He erected 
on the corner of Third and Jefferson streets 
a handsome residence and spent the remain- 
der of his life there, living in happiness and 
comfort. He entered the worfd of rest Jan- 
uary 7, 1888. He was wedded July 16, 1862, 
to Sue Billig, a daughter of Daniel and Mar- 
tha (Talbert) Billig, and they reared five chil- 
dren, namely: Anna May, the wife of our 
subject; Lizzie J., deceased; John, deceased; 



Elmer, a tlruggist residing in Philadelphia: 
and Martha, a school teacher residing in 
BloomsI)urg. Mrs. Brugler survives her hus- 
band and resides with our subject in Blooms- 
burg. Peter Brugler, the father of our sub- 
ject's wife, was born in Hemlock township, 
Columbia County, October 7. 1824, and was 
one of the foremost agriculturists of tliat 
township. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer have been 
blessed by the following children : James 
Clyde, born September 20, 1887; L-ene B., 
born January 4, 1889; one, who died in in- 
fancy; and Robert Honey, born in May, 
1896. 

Since ]\Ir. Mercer's arrival in the town he 
has been prominently identified with its in- 
terests and is considered one of its most val- 
ued citizens. He does all in his power to as- 
sist in the building up of the community and 
is considered one of its mainstays. He is an 
esteemed citizen, carrying on his business in 
a quiet and unostentatious manner, and is 
honorable and upright in his transactions. 




ARVEV A. :\IcKILLIP, a distin- 
guished attorney-at-law and a highly 
respected citizen of Bloomsburg, 
was born in Martinsburg, Blair Coimty, Pa., 
anil is a son of Charles A. and Delilah 
(Skylcs) McKillip. 

Our subject recei\'ed his intellectual train- 
ing in the conunon and high schools of his 
native town, after which he was engaged in 
clerking for some time. He then formed a 
partnership with his brother, and they were 
engaged as photographers in Bloomsburg. 
As our subject was of studious habits he put 
in his spare moments reading law. By hard 
and continuous study lie mastered the pro- 
fession and was adnn'tted to the liar in 1891. 



a36 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



lie immediately after entered practice and 
was successful from the start. He is a fluent 
and ready speaker and has the happy faculty 
of being- able to repeat a fact once learned, 
and his wonderful memory stands him in good 
stead in the practice of law, as he can readily 
recall the statutes of the law without reference 
to his books. His ability is well known and 
he has a larsj;c practice, mainly private coun- 
sel. He is a man of sound judo-ment, probity, 
i)road intelligence and many sterling quali- 
ties, and has the respect and esteem of the 
comnuiiiity at large. As a citizen Mr. Mc- 
Killi|) is interested in everything that pro- 
motes the gf)od and welfare of the commu- 
nity. He is an attendant at the Presbyterian 
C'hurcli. Besides his law practice he is inter- 
ested in some of the manufacturing indus- 
tries of P)loomsburg and is a director in the 
l'>l()(imsl)urg Brass & Copper Company. 

Air. McKillip was united in matrimonial 
l)onds to Mary C. McKelvey, a daughter of 
Dr. James Boyd McKelvey, who is one of the 
oldest and nmst prominent physicians and 
surgeons in Bloomsl:)urg. Dr. James Boyd 
McKelvey was educated in the common 
schools of Bloomsburg and in Lenox Acad- 
emy at Lenox, Mass. He also took a com- 
plete course in Williams College, from which 
institution he graduated in 1845. He then 
rc;iil UK'diciiic under the prcce]it(>rshi]) of the 
late I )r. lohn Ramsay of Bloomsburg. Pa.. 
and later attended the University of Penn- 
svlvania, where he received a diploma as a 
])hysician and surgeon in 1849. Pie inune- 
dialely after entered U]K)n practice at Mif- 
ninville, Pa., where he remained for some 
time, and then moved to Kentucky, Pa., later 
going to .\rkadelphia. Ark. After engaging 
in practice there for one year, he returned to 
Piloomsburg, where he has since remained, 
and has had a wonderfully successful practice. 



December 25, 1851, he married Mary Eliza- 
beth Abbett, a daughter of George and Mary 
(Craig) Abbett. 

.\rdently American in his ideas, Mr. Afc- 
Killip has taken a leading part in Republican 
politics and has been honored by his party 
in receiving the nomination for the State As- 
sembly, and for two years has been chairman 
of the county committee, 

Mr. McKillip is very prominent in the Ma- 
sonic fraternity in the state. He is a past 
officer of the State Grand Council, Grand 
Chapter, Grand Commandery, and A. C. of 
Constantine, an active member of the Grand 
Cross of the L^. S., and is a Thirty-third De- 
gree Mason. He is yet a young man, an un- 
tiring worker, and, from the records of the 
past, we do not hesitate to predict a brilliant 
future for him. 



7^ HARLES C. EVAXS, attorney and 
I J| counselor-at-law, residing ami prac- 

^ " ticing in the town of Berwick, was 

born in Briarcreek township, Columbia 
County, Pa., January 10, 1858, 

His ])reparatory education was obtained in 
the common schools of the district and at the 
Bloomsburg State Normal School, During 
the winter of 1876-77 he taught the Martz- 
vi'.le public school in Briarcreek township. In 
the fall of 1877 he entered Lafayette College, 
taking a four years' course, and was grad- 
uated therefrom in June, 1881. In July, 1881, 
he entered the office of Hon. Simon P. W'ol- 
verton as a law student, and was admitted 
to the Xorthumberland County Bar July 14. 
1883. In August of the same year he opened 
a law office in the borough of Berwick, Co- 
lumbia County. 

( )n l'\'bru:ir\- j^, iSSS, our sid)ject married 




JOSEPH U. THOMPSON. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



339 



Annie Wendle Sloan, the youngest daughter 
of Morris C. Sloan, of Bloomsburg, Pa. 

Mr. Evans is president of the Berwick Wa- 
ter Company and the Berwick School Board. 
He enjoys a large and lucrative law practice. 

Politically, Mr. Evans is a Republican. In 
the fall of 1898 the judicial conferees of Co- 
lumbia County were instructed for Mr. Evans 
as a candidate for president judge of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial District. 



OSEPH D. THOMPSON, one of the 
prominent and well-to-do citizens of 
the town of Berwick, Columbia Coun- 
ty, Pa., whose portrait is shown on the oppo- 
site page, is principally engaged in hauling 
sand for The Jackson & Woodin Manufactur- 
ing Company. He was born in Berwick No- 
vember 7, 1821. and is a son of Hugh and 
Ann (Dodson) Thompson and a grandson of 
Paul Thompson. 

The Thompsons are of Scotch- Irish des- 
cent, and Paul Thompson, the grandfather 
of our subject, was born in Countv Derry, 
Ireland, March i, 1754, and died at his home 
in Berwick, Columbia County, Pa.. Julv 8, 
1807. His wife Nancy was born May 10. 
1754, and passed from this life September 16. 
1823. Mr. Thompson and family bade fare- 
well to their native country Julv q, 1792, 
sailed for America and K)cated in Dillsburg. 
York County, Pa. Paul Thompson learned 
the trade of a potter in his younger days and 
followed that occupation throughout his en- 
tire life. He remained in York County until 
1798, when he and his family moved to Ber- 
wick, Columbia County, and there he built 
the first pottery that was erected in that sec- 
tion of the county. His plant was located 
where the Methodist Church now stands, and 



the earthernware he made he sold to the set- 
tlers along the Susquehanna River; he owned 
a flatboat which he used to convey his goods 
up and down the ri\-er. When the grandfather 
of our subject took up his residence in Ber- 
wick there were but few houses in the town, 
and he lived to see a fair-sized and prosperous 
community grow up around him. In reli- 
gifjus \iews he was a meml:)er of the Presby- 
terian Church. He was the progenitor of 
two sons and three daughters, namely: Hugh, 
the father of our subject: Jane, born in Ire- 
land November 21, 1781, died April 14, 1807; 
Margaret, born January i. 1783. died April 
15, 1855; Alexander, born May i, 1790, who 
was engaged in the pottery business all his 
life; and Ann, born January 6, 1792. and died 
November 29, 1856. 

Hugh Thom])son, the father of our subject, 
was born in Ireland in 1780 and came to this 
country with his parents in ijgj. He spent 
his boyhood days working with his father and 
learning the pottery trade, which he contin- 
ued to follow until within a few years of his 
death. Upon his father's death he succeeded 
him in his business, immediately enlarged the 
plant and built up a large and paying 
lousiness. He was also engaged in the culti- 
\ation of the soil and was the proprietor of a 
farm consisting of 150 acres of productix-e 
land. A part of his farm is now in the town 
of Berwick and a part is now the homestead 
owned liy our suliject. He was an emergency 
man during the War of 18 12. Mr. Thompson 
was one of the \alued members of his com- 
munity, and his home for many years was 
made the stopping-place of the Methodist 
ministers of the section. He was united in 
the bonds of wedlock with Ann Dodson, and 
to this union three sons and three daughters 
were born, as follows: Paul, wIkt died in in- 
fancy: Richard, born June 14, 181 1. died May 



340 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



25. 1895. will I was a fanner Ijv occupation and 
a partner with liis Ijrothcr in tlic potter\- busi- 
ness; Alexander, born October 6, 1813, died 
Decend)er 12. 1881, was formerly enga_<^ed in 
the pottery business and later in the foundry 
at Tunkhannock, Luzerne Ctjunty, Pa., and 
also was justice of the peace many years; Su- 
san, born February 22, 1816, died December 
27, 1895, was the wife of Rev. E.^-e, a well- 
known Methodist minister of the Baltimore 
Conference: Jane, born Deceniber 5, 1818, 
was the wife of 1 )r. I'.erket; onr subject; and 
F.lizal)eth .\nn, born March 3, 1828, who is 
the wife of P. C. ^^^-ldswortl^, who was justice 
of the ])cace of 'i'ownliill, Luzerne Countv, 
Pa., many years. 

Joseph D. Th()m]isiin. our subject. ac(juired 
a good education in the conunon schools of 
his natis'e town and tluii worked in his fath- 
er's potter}', and when he attained the age of 
twenty-one years he and his brother, Richard, 
succeeded their father in the business and suc- 
cessfully carried it on until i'^53. when the 
firm dissolved i)artnersliip and our subject be- 
came sole i)ro])riclor. In 1863 Mr. Thomp- 
son discontiiuied the business, as the demand 
for earthernware became very light, moved 
upon his ])resent farm, where he has since re- 
sided. Since 1870 he has been engaged in 
h;uding sand for The Jackson (.H: W'oodin 
Manufacturing Comjiany of P.erwick, for 
which work he requires the contimial use of 
from si.x to eight mules. 

Mr. Thompson was wedded in 1846 to 
Mary Bonham, and this union was blessed by 
the birth of one child, .\lmira, who died in in- 
fancy. Mrs. Thom])son ])assed from this life 
December 2t, 1850, and on Fel)ruary 23, 
1858, our subject was again united in mar- 
riage to Mary Hull, and they are the parents 
of two children, namely: Hugh, who is en- 
gaged in hauling sand with his father; and 



.'\nnie E., the wife of J. S. Housneck, treas- 
urer ancl bookkee])er for the Armour meat 
market at Shenandoah, I 'a. 

.Aaron I lull, father of our suliject"s wife, 
was a native of Faslon, Pa., and was a mill- 
wright by trade. Jle removed ti> I'.erwick in 
1840 and served as toll collector on the lier- 
wick bridge a nund)er of years, llis death 
occurred in 1867, at the age of sixty-nine 
)ears. Religiousl}- he was a member of the 
Methodist Church. He was marrie<l to h.liza- 
l)eth McPherson, who passed from this earth 
in 1858, aged fifty-six years. They reared a 
family of two sons and three daughters, name- 
ly: Esther, deceased, who was the wife of 
Samuel E. Smith of Berwick ; William, who 
was a dispatch-bearer in the Ci\il War, and 
]3assed from this life at Fort Schuyler, X. N'.. 
in 1864; Edw;n-d. fornu'rl\- a butcher residing 
at Shickshinny, Pa.; Mary, the wife of nur 
subject; and Kate, widow of the late J. 11. 
Mears, a contractor and builder. 



CELD.\A1I \\1[.C(_)X, a i)rosi)er- 
ous and progressive farmer of Fox 
township, Sullivan Countv. Pa., is 
a son of Gideon and Mary (Hoagl.uid) Wil- 
co.x, and was born on wh;it is known as the 
F. Morgan farm, in that townshi]), April iS, 
1859. 

Our subject's great-grandfather was John 
Wilcox, who was more familiarly known as 
"Dr. John." ]le was a native of New York 
State, but at the time of his death resided 
in Fox township. During the War of 1812 
he shouldered a musket and marched to the 
front, and in one of the battles was severely 
wounded, but recovered and lived to reach a 
ripe old age. 

Our subject's grandfather was John D. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



:J41 



Wilcox, who moved to Fox township, Sulli- 
van County, from New York State soon after 
his marriage, taking up a tract of 400 acres 
of land, for which he paid a nominal sum. 
After erecting a log house he went back to 
New York for his wife, and returning, they 
fettled in the wilderness, carving a home 
out of the forest, and enduring many of the 
hardships incident to pioneer life. In a few 
years they cleared many acres and toward the 
close of their lives were in comparatively 
comfortable circumstances. His wife's maid- 
en name was Deborah Stewart, and they 
reared a family of eleven children, namely : 
Deborah; John; Charles; Gideon; William; 
Sarlly; Chloe; Nancy; Mary J.; Joseph; and 
Rheuamy. Mr. Wilcox never carried on any 
other business than farming, but lie took a 
part in politics, and was looked upon as one 
of the most fair-minded as well as one of the 
most just men in the county. He was one 
of the commission appointed to decide the 
location of the county seat, his choice being 
Forksville, but as history and facts show he 
was overborne by a majorit}-. He was a 
Whig in politics until that party met its death 
in the great anti-slavery storm, and when the 
Republican party was formed he used his in- 
fluence in its favor until death called him 
away. He lived to a good old age, and cUing 
was laid to rest in the cemetery at \\'est 
Franklin. 

Gideon Wilcox, the father of our subject, 
was born in Fo.x township, Sullivan County, 
August II, 1827, and was educated in its pub- 
lic schools and lived there throughout his life, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning at 
the time of our subject's birth some 250 acres 
of the best land in the township. He was 
active in local politics, holding successively 
many of the town ofBces and fulfilling his 
duties to the entire satisfaction of his con- 



stituents. In religion both he and his family 
were members of the Society of Friends. He 
was hrst united in marriage with Mary Iloag- 
land, on January 27, 1853, and the following 
offspring resulted : Sarah, the wife of Joseph 
Henderson; Martin C, who is still unmar- 
ried; G. Eldaah; and Maurice Ellis, who 
married Nettie Hart. Mr. Wilcox formed a 
second union with Lucy Lilly, on April 28, 
1870. and their children are: Belle, who mar- 
ried Enos Tremain; Lottie; Helen, the wife 
of George Caseman; Seymour; Franklin; 
and Eleanor .\. 

G. Eldaah Wilcox, whose name heads these 
lines, was educated in the common schools of 
his native township until he was fourteen 
years of age, after which he attended the 
Westtown .Academy for two and one-half 
vears; being precocious by nature, his intel- 
lectual develo])ment was above the average. 
His bent of mind, however, wa? mechanical 
and not caring to teach until he had learned 
a trade, he served four years" apprenticeship 
at carpentering. He then entered upon a 
successful career, teaching school during the 
winter months and following his trade during 
the milder seasons, for a period of eleven 
vears. He then turned his attention to farm- 
ing, at which he has continued up to the pres- 
ent time. He purchased a farm of 1 1 1 acres 
of John H. Wilcox and Lorenzo Brown, and 
he has ne\^r ceased to beautify and add im- 
provements to this land, on which he still re- 
sides. He is a ver\- popular man and has 
manv friends throughout his section. 

Mr. Wilcox was united in marriage with 
Li7?:ie Cook, a daughter of William Cook, a 
prominent farmer of Chester County, and 
Margaret (McConomy) Cook, and they are 
the parents of the following children : Lizzie; 
William; John; Robert; Jennie, deceased; 
George; James; Walter; Anna M.; Maria; Ma- 



342 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



bel; Chester; and Bessie. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox 
are tlie parents of the following children: 
Jesse J-. Clara M., Jetniie B. and Edwin II. 
Mr. Wilcox docs not take an active interest 
in politics, yet he has served his township 
seven years as auditor, and has been school 
director for two terms, being elected on the 
Republican ticket. Religiously he is a mem- 
ber of the Socictv of Friends. 




.\RRV W. WILSON, of the firm of 
R. F. Wilson & Co., manufacturers 

L^ V, ^of leather tly-nets, of Milton, Pa., 

is a son of William K. ^\■ilson and a grandson 
of Robert Wilson, who was the inventor of 
leather fly-nets for horses. 

Robert Wilson was born October 16, 1810, 
at Williamsport, I'a., and early in life he 
learned the saddler's and harnessmaker's 
trade, at which he worked in his native town 
and also in Xew York State. In 1850 he settled 
in Milton, Pa., where he worked as a journey- 
man at his trade, and six years later he de- 
vised what has since l)een known all o\'er the 
United States as the W'ilson Fly Net. In 
1836 he conmienced on a small scale, employ- 
ing only three or four men, the manufacture 
of Icalhcr tl_\--ncts and placed tbcni upon the 
market. Their \aluc was at once recognized 
and the demand increased in one year from 
400 to thousands. Mr. WiKson secured a 
patent for the nets in 1858, and in 1870 sold 
3,000, while in 1879 the sale had increased to 
25,000. He began the maiuifacture of nets in 
the Goodlander building, and in i8Ao he 
formed a partnership with Mr. Funk, who 
was with him five years, retiring in 1865. 
During the Rebellion he felt it his duty to de- 
fend his country's honor and volunteered in 
1863, serving three nionlhs and then return- 



ing to his former business of manufacturing 
fly-nets. After the partnership with Mr. Funk 
was dissolved, Robert Wilson took his son, 
William 1{. Wilson, as a iiartncr: and one \ear 
later he sold his interest to his second son, 
Reuben F., retiring from business. He died 
in 1870. He was united in marriage to Lu- 
crctia Heinen, a daughter of Dr. Henry Ilein- 
en; she died in 1853, leaving three sons: Will- 
iam E., our subject's father; Henry H.; and 
Reuben F., who married Mrs. Rebecca Over- 
peck in i860. 

William E. Wilson, our subject's father, 
was born in Milton, October 9, 1837. After 
going through the public schools and Milton 
Academy he learned the trade of harnessmak- 
ing and worked as a journeyman for several 
years. He then enlisted in the Navy and 
was acting as master-mate on the Ironsides 
at the beginning of the Civil War, in which 
capacity he continued to serve until the close 
of the war in 1865. He returned to Milton 
and went into partnership for one year with 
his father, Robert AX'ilson, the inventor, in 
the manufacture of leather horse By-nets. 
When bis father retired he took his brother, 
Reuben F., in the business and they continued 
under the firm name of Reuben F. Wilson & 
Bro. tnitil J 875, when he retired from the 
business and died July 2, 1882. Fr(nn 1875 
to 1888 the business was conducted under 
the lirm name of K. V. Wilson. In that year 
it was changed to K. I'". Wilson & Co., which 
style it retains up to the present year. W^ill- 
iam E. Wilson firmly supported the Republi- 
can party and held many minor township of- 
fices. He married Mary H. Foreman and 
reared a family of twelve children, namely : 
Arrabella, deceased; Sally, now deceased; 
Annie Lucretia; Harry W., our subject; Rob- 
ert G.; 'Winfield S.; Robert F. ; Grace G. ; 
Rebecca; Jacob \'., now deceased; Lizzie. 




IJK. ISAIAH W. WII.I.ITS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



345 



now deceased; and Kate. Mrs. Wilson is still 
living and resides in Milton. 

Harry W. Wilson, our subject, was born 
December 17, 1865, in Milton, Pa. He at- 
tended the public and high schools of his na- 
tive town until 1880, when he began work in 
the fly-net manufactory of his ancestors, and 
continued there for tweh'e vears, when his 
faithful services were rewarded by his being" 
made a partner in the concern. The firm is 
composed of Mrs. R. F. Wilson, Marshal 
ReLd, B. F. Vandegrift, and H. W. Wilson. 
Mr. Marshal Reid is the general manager, and 
H. W. Wilson and B. F. Vandegrift have 
charge of the details of the Inisiness. The 
firm manufactures 40,000 fly-nets annually, 
for which are used fifty sides of leather per 
day, making three grades, fine, extra fine, and 
common, black. The firm has established a 
fine reputation for first-class work all over 
the United States and the goods are shipped 
from Maine to California. 

Our subject married Lizzie A. Trate, a 
daughter of John Trate of New Columbus, 
Pa. Two children have blessed this union : 
Mary L., and Ruth, who died in infancy. Mr. 
Wilson is a stanch Republican and although 
he never aspired to public office, his many 
friends have persuaded him to accept some 
political honors. 



B 



R. ISAIAH \\-. \\TLLITS. This 
Book of Biographies would indeed be 
incomplete if mention were not made 
of one of Bloomsburg's prominent and influ- 
ential citizens, the gentleman whose name 
appears above and whose portrait is pre- 
sented on a preceding page. He has been 
engaged in the practice of medicine there for 
many years, and is at the head of the well- 
known Dr. I. \\'. \\'illits' Medicine Company. 



He was born in Catawissa, Columbia County, 
May 22, 1843, and is a son of George H. and 
Jane (Clark) Willits. 

The Willits family is of English extraction, 
Richard Willits, who came from England 
prior to 1650, being the first of that name 
to locate in America. His son Thomas was 
born in this country in 1650, and reared a son 
Thomas, who was born in 1682 and located 
in the state of Pennsylvania in 1738. He 
was the progenitor of a large family of chil- 
dren, one of whom was Isaiah, the grand- 
father of our subject. 

Isaiah \\'illits, our subject's grandfather, 
was born in 1732, and early in life learned 
.the trade of a tanner, which he followed in 
Catawissa, being one of the first business 
men of that vicinity. He erected a large tan- 
nery there, and resided on the corner of First 
and South streets, which is now the property 
of W. W. Perry. Isaiah Willits was united 
in matrimonial bonds with Rachel Hughes, 
and they became the happy parents of the 
following children George H.; Charles; 
John; Matilda: Elizabeth; Clinton; and 
Townsend. 

George H. Willits, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born at Catawissa and upon the re- 
tirement of his father took charge of the tan- 
nery, which he conducted until he was 
obliged to give up the business on account 
of failing health. It was necessary for him 
to obtain open-air work, so he accepted a 
contract to build a half-mile of the Pennsyl- 
vania Canal along the rocks of that vicinity. 
One year later he engaged in coal mining 
in Schuylkill County, shipping the product 
of his mine to the city of Philadelphia. Sell- 
ing out his interest in the boats, he pur- 
chased some 300 acres of good farm land near 
Catawissa, where he engaged in agricultural 
pursuits until 1867. He then disposed of his 



346 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



property and settled in Catawissa, where he 
spent the remainder of his Hfe in retirement, 
dyini^- in i88i, at the age of seventy-eight 
years. He was an active politician, affiliating 
with the Republican party. In 1851 he was 
elected for a five years' term as associate 
judge, and later served as postmaster and in 
other minor offices. He was united in mar- 
riage with Jane Clark, a daughter of John 
Clark, one of Catawissa's early and ])romi- 
ncnt merchants. She passed to her eternal 
resting place in 1883, aged seventy-three 
years. Their union resulted in the follow- 
ing issue : twin daughters, who died in in- 
fancy; Isaiah W., a sketch of whose life is 
here recorded; Jane Cordelia, who was born 
in 1850, and was called Home in 1888; and 
Cliarles Clark, who was for many years a 
physician and druggist of Catawissa. but is 
now tlie proprietor of tlie leading dry goods 
store of Snnburv. Northumberland County. 

Isaiah W. Willits w;is in attendance at the 
public schools until he was twelve years of 
age, after which he took a course of two 
years' study in the select school of Eaton & 
Wells, and spent one year in the Greenwood 
Seminary at Millville, Pa. Then, after spend- 
ing a year in the \\'yoming Seminary at 
Kingston, he became a clerk in Bittenbender 
& Co.'s store, of which firm his father was 
a silent jiartner. He remained there one year, 
and then for two years was engaged in a sim- 
ilar capacity for D. G. Driesbach at Beach 
Haven, Pa. In Augu.st, 1862, he enlisted in 
Company H, I32d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., of 
which he was made orderly sergeant. He 
was but twenty years of age when he was 
promoted to the position of lieutenant, in 
December, 1862. He was struck in the knee 
by a shell in the battle of Fredericksburg, 
from the effects of which he has never fully 
recovered. He was sent to the hospital to 



recuperate at Georgetown and was dis- 
charged May 24, 1863, with his regiment at 
the expiration of term of service. He re- 
turned home and in a short time his strong 
constitution .disserted itself and his recovery 
was sufficient to permit him to enlist as cap- 
tain of Company E, 30th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., 
being one of the youngest officers in the ser- 
vice. He received his discharge after ninety 
days of service. He was in a number of im- 
portant engagements, and always showed a 
willingness to perform his full share of the 
duties, dis])laying bravery and coolness in the 
thickest of the fight. Upon returning home 
he took up the study of medicine with T^r. 
John Iv. Robbins of Catawissa, after which he 
attended Jefferson Medical College until 
1866, when he took up a practice and con- 
tinued until 1874, when he returned to col- 
lege and completed his course. He contin- 
ued to practice at Catawissa, where he re- 
mained for seventeen years, and then went to 
Roanoke, A'a., in August, 1883. ]\Iarch 17, 
1885, he took up his residence at Blooms- 
burg, where his success was immediate. He 
has remained there since and his patronage 
has assumed large proportions, many of the 
leading citizens being numbered among his 
patients. In 1897 he formed a stock com- 
pany, tlie Dr. I. W. Willits' Medicine Co., 
which manufactures Willits' Neuralgia Cure 
and Willits' Vitalizer for all stomach, liver and 
kidney troubles. They have both been proven 
excellent remedies, and have had a large sale 
throughout the state. In 1893 he opened 
and conducted a gold cure establishment at 
Bloomsburg with splendid results. Dr. Wil- 
lits has also dealt extensively in real estate, 
owning a number of farms in Pennsylvania 
and in West X'irginia. where he has also 
bought and built many houses. He is a pub- 
lic-spirited man and takes an active interest 
in the welfare of the town of Bloomsburg. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



347 



In 1866 Dr. Willits formed a matrimonial 
alliance with Alarcilia R. Reifsnyder, a daugh- 
ter of George and Harriet Reifsnyder of Cat- 
awissa. She passed into the realms of the 
unknown in 1877, and two years later our 
subject was united in wedlock with Mrs. Kate 
P. Reifsnyder. a daughter of George and 
Mary Scott. In political belief the Doctor is 
a Republican and has served as councilman 
for one term. Socially he is a Mason, and 
has received the degree of Knight Templar; 
he is also a member of the G. A. R. post. 




^AMUEL C. CREASY, senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Creasy & Wells, the 
largest lumber merchants of Colum- 
bia County, Pa., whose yards are located at 
Bloomsburg, is one of the prosperous and 
enterprising business men of the borough. 
This highly esteemed citizen was born at 
Light Street, Columbia County, Pa., Novem- 
ber 21, i860, and is a son of Henry W. and 
Martha E. (Sloan) Creasy, and a grandson of 
Samuel and Mary (Brown) Creasy. 

Our subject's great-grandfather was Hen- 
ry Creasy, who came from the state of New 
Jersey and settled in Mifflin township, Colum- 
bia County. His son Samuel, the grandfath- 
er of our subject, was born in Mifflin town- 
ship, Columbia County, and began life as a 
farmer, which occupation he followed but a 
short time, when, in partnership with George 
and Elisha Brown, he embarked in the mer- 
cantile business, which he carried on until 
death claimed him, at the age of seventy-five 
years. He married Mary Brown, who bore 
him a family of eight children, namely : Hen- 
ry W.; Nathan B.; Horace; Elizabeth; Dan- 
iel B.; William; John J.; and Fanny. Our 



subject's grandmother passed from this life 
aged eighty-six years. 

Henry Wesley Creasy, the father of our 
subject, was born at Mifflinville, Columbia 
County, Pa., October 17, 1825. His boy- 
hood days were spent attending school and 
when young he began clerking in a flouring 
mill and later worked in a mercantile store 
at Berwick, Pa. Having become thoroughly 
acquainted with the mercantile business he 
went to Lime Ridge, Pa., where he ran a store 
on his own account; later he sold out and 
went to Light Street, Pa., where he clerked 
for James Melick, but was soon taken in as 
a partner. William Creasy subsequently pur- 
chased the interests of Mr. Melick, and for 
three years the business was carried on under 
the firm name of Creasy Bros. L^pon the 
death of William he was succeeded by his 
brother Daniel, who. is now a merchant of 
Bloomsburg. The two brothers, Henry and 
Daniel, in addition to carrying on a mercan- 
tile store, conducted a lumber-yard until the 
death of our subject's father, which occurred 
October 30, 1868. ]\Ir. Creasy was' an active 
member of the Presbyterian Church and was 
steward and superintendent of the Sunday 
School, He was joined in marriage with 
Martha Sloan, a daughter of George and Su- 
san (Melick) Sloan, and granddaughter of 
David Sloan, who came from Ireland and set- 
tled at Sunnner Hill, Briarcreek township, 
Columl)ia County. George Sloan was a farm- 
er and started his son Samuel in the mercan- 
tile business at Light Street, Pa. ; while he 
was en route to Philadelphia to purchase 
goods Samuel was drowned and his father 
took charge of the store and conducted 
it until his death. He died aged sixty- 
three years. He was married to Susan Melick 
and they had a family of five children, who 
grew to maturity, as follows: Samuel; Susan- 



348 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



na; Mary Jane; Margaret l'>. : ami Martha K., 
tlie mother of our subjeet. Mr. and Mrs. 
Creasywere the parents of ti\e cliildren, all of 
whom died young except our subject. They 
were as follows: Alice and Wilbur, deceased, 
were twins and were born March 26, 1859; 
Samuel, our subject; George Edwin, died 
May 29, 1863; and Maggie A., died February 
17, 1867. 

Our subject, with his mother, moved to 
lUoomsburg in 1871, where Samuel attended 
the State Normal School and later the King- 
ston Seminary. Upon leaving school he 
clerked for a period of three years, and in 
1883 he embarked in the lumber business on 
a small scale. Later he took in Mr. Wells 
as a partner and they now have their yard 
located between Sixth and Seventh streets, 
which is the largest lunil)er-yard in the coun- 
t)'. The\' also carr_\- a complete line of sashes, 
(k)ors, blinds, and other house furnishings, 
and give employment to a large force of men. 
They own a mill and cut and saw their own 
lumber, and have purchased many liundred 
acres of timberland in the vicinity. The pro- 
prietors are men of hustling ability and have 
established a trade second to none in the 
county, and our subject has not only sold 
many houses in the town but has erected 
more houses than any other man in Blooms- 
burg, ^ifr. Creasy is one of the most ener- 
getic and active 1)usiness men of Iiloomsburg, 
and has assisted in many of the most flour- 
ishing enterprises in the borough. He is pop- 
ular, and is held in high esteem by his fellow- 
citizens. 

Samuel C. Creasy was united in the bonds 
of matrimony to May Wells, a daughter of 
]•'. C. Wells, whose sketch also appears in 
this Book of Biographies. Seven children 
have blessed this happy union : Annie, Mar- 
tha, lulward, Ruth and Ethel; and Clifton 



and Clyde, deceased. Mr. Creasy has ser\ed 
his fellow-citizens as president of the town 
council and has held other public offices. 



v. Vi ney 



A^I FIELD SHAY, an attor- 
of Watsontown, is one of the 
most prominent and active men of the bor- 
ough, also a literary man who has com- 
piled and contributed much historical data for 
useful reference for the rising generation. He 
was born in Northumberland, Pa., and is the 
only son of Philip and Mary Elizabeth (Wal- 
lis) Shay, the latter a daughter of Dr. Samuel 
H. ^^'allis. and a granddaughter of Samuel 
\\'allis. the pioneer of the West Branch \'al- 
Icy. 

Philip Shay, our subject's father, was born 
in Pittston, Kennebec County, Maine, in 
181 3, and was a son of Michael and Anna 
Shay, both of whom died in 1821. In his early 
manhood Philip Sha}- went to Baltimore. ]Md.. 
to assist his brother-in-law, Abiathar Field, 
formerly of Brookline, Mass., to establish one 
of the pioneer oyster packing houses at the 
Monumental City, and in the interest of this 
business Mr. Shay located at Northumber- 
land, Pa., and at a later period became con- 
nected with the packet company in \\hich lie 
became "Captain" Shay. Li 1854 he settled 
in Muncy, Pa., where he engaged in the mer- 
cantile and lumber business. In 1868 he re- 
mo\'ed to \\'atsontown and again engaged in 
mercantile business, and in 1871 he was 
elected chief burgess and became very much 
interested in many of the developments of 
the early growth of the borough. He was 
one of the corporators and charter members 
of the Watsontown Bank, and was appointed 
by Gov. Geary as notary public, and at the 
close of his administration, re-appointed by 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



349 



Gov. Hartranft. For eleven years he accept- 
ably filled the position of postmaster of Wat- 
.sontown. and death alone removed him, on 
February 2, 1885. After the death of his 
first wife ^Ir. Shay married Priscilla M. 
Flewellyn, who died in 1862. To them were 
Ixirn four children: Charles P.; Edward E.; 
Mary \\: and Priscilla L. He was married 
the third time to Emma J. Stoughton, and 
two children. Frank S. and Emma E., blessed 
their home: Frank S. Shay died in 1898. Mr. 
Shay was one of the corporators and influ- 
ential members of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Watsontown, in which he held the 
ofifice of trustee for many years. He was a 
kind and affectionate husband and father and 
a man of sterling- worth. 

William h^ield Shay, oiu' suliject, after a 
good preliminarv education in tlie ])ub'.ic 
schools became a law student under the in- 
struction of Oscar Foust of Watsontown, 
with whom he studied three years, when he 
was admitted to the bar and began the prac- 
tice of his profession at Watsontown. He 
has been admitted to practice in all the courts 
in this section of Pennsylvania, as well as the 
Supreme Court and the District and Circuit 
courts of the United States. He is fond of 
literary work and has given considerable at- 
tention to local historical matters, and a num- 
l)er of meritorious articles have appeared from 
his pen. He is one of the leading and most 
enterprising citizens of Watsontown, and has 
done much to advance the best interests of the 
borough, l^eing one of the promoters of the 
waterworks and he secured to the town the 
terminus of the Central Pennsylvania & 
Western Railroad and since its inception has 
been solicitor for the road. In politics our 
subject supports the principles advocated by 
the Republican party. 

Mr. Shay has an estimable wife in the per- 



son of M. Alice Hower, only daughter of 
Hon. Charles Hower of Selinsgrove, Snyder 
County, Pa. Socially he is a member and 
officer of the following societies : ])ast- 
master of \\'atsontown Lodge, No. 401, F. & 
A. M.; past high priest of Warrior Pun 
Chapter, No. 246, R. A. M.; a member of 
both the Grand Lodge and the Grand Holy 
Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania, and in 
the years 1885-86 was deputy to the grand 
high ])riest for the counties of Lvcoming, 
Elk, Snyder, Lhiion and Northumberland; he 
is a!so a member of the A. and A. Rite, 32d 
degree. 




^> EORGE ^LVTTHEW OUICIv. at- 
3 1 torney-at-law and ex-prothonotary 
of Columbia County, is one of the 
most prominent members of his profession in 
the town of Bloomsburg. He is finely edu- 
cated, well versed in the intricacies of his call- 
ing and stands high among the members of 
the legal profession. Our subject was l)orn in 
Montour township, Columbia County, Pa., 
November 15, 1857, and is a son of William 
drier and Sarah (McBride) Quick, and a 
grandson of John H. and Sarah (Moore) 
Quick. 

John H. Quick was a native of the state 
of New Jersey and during his early days he 
followed the trade of a shoemaker. Later he 
settled in Rush townsliip, Northumberland 
County, but in 1831 he moved to Montour 
township, where he purchased a farm of 155 
acres and there carried on general farming 
the rest of his life. Mr. Quick was one of 
the progressive farmers of Montour township, 
and the position Rush holds among her sister 
townships is due to the efforts of such men 
as Mr. Quick, w ho braved the hardships of 
pioneer life and, by persevering toil, subdued 



350 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the laiul and hrous^lit it to its present state. 
He was united in marriage to Sarah Moore, 
who bore him the following children : John 
G., deceased; Charles, deceased; William G., 
deceased; Rosetta, who was the wife of Elias 
Dietrich; Mahala, wife of Eddings Barkley; 
Hettie, who wedded James Barton; Cather- 
ine; and Sarah, who married Thomas Thorn- 
ton, both of whom are now deceased. ]\Ir. 
Onick died aged si.xty-five years. 

William Grier Quick, father of our subject, 
\\as born in Rush township, Northumberland 
County, Pa., September 4, 1815, and from 
his father learned the trade of a shoemaker, 
which he followed for a short time. Attain- 
ing his manhood, he moved to ^Montour town- 
ship and purchased a small farm and carried 
on farming until he became lock-tender; later 
he became foreman of the North Branch of 
the^Pennsylvania Canal between Danville and 
Stonytown; he remained in charge of that 
position for nineteen years and then was fore- 
man of the Wyoming Valley Branch for ten 
years. Later he was supervisor for the Penn- 
sylvania Canal Company for eleven years, 
thus making forty years' service in the com- 
pany's em])loy. In 1868 'Sir. Quick was 
elected county commissioner for a term of 
three years. He was joined in wedlock to 
Sarah McBride, a daughter of \Mlliam Mc- 
Bride of Hemlock township. To ]\Ir. and 
Mrs. Quick was born a family of si.x chil- 
dren, namely: ^\■illiam M.. a blacksmith by 
trade; Hugh D., a resident of Rupert, Pa.; 
James, also a resident of Rupert; John B., 
who resides in Orangeville, Columbia County; 
Samuel M., deceased; and George M., our 
subject. 

Our subject received his primary training 
in the public schools and the Bloomsburg 
State Normal School. Upon his father's 
death he became foreman (mi the Pennsxl- 



\ania Canal and remained in the position for 
two years, when he resigned to accc])t the 
ofifice of deputy prothonotary, which he tilled 
for ten years; he was then elected prothono- 
tary by the largest vote ever cast for a candi- 
date for that office. After serving six years 
he was admitted to the bar January 2, 1897, 
upon the following resolutions of which he 
may be justly proud, a comi)limenl never l)c- 
fore given to any retiring prothonotarv in the 
Commonwealth : 

'"Now, January 2, 1897, at a meeting of the 
Columbia County Bar Association, regularly 
called and held at 9 a. m. this day. the fol- 
lowing was, on motion, — 'Resolved, That the 
rule of court as to the admission of attorneys 
to the Bar of Columbia County be suspended 
to permit the admission of G. M. Quick, Esq., 
as a member of said bar in recognition of his 
sixteen years' continuous and ])articularlv 
efficient service as Prothonotary and Clerk of 
the several courts of said county; and that 
the bar hereby join with the board of exam- 
iners in reconuucnding his admission' — 
unanimously adopted." 

Upon opening his law office in Bloomsburg 
-Mr. Quick was given a reception by the attor- 
neys of that town. 

Mr. Quick chose for his life companion 
Miss Eva Bidleman, a daughter of William 
J. and Rebecca Bidleman of Bloomsburg, and 
two children bless their home. William G. 
and Eugene. In politics our subject is a 
Democrat and wide-awake to the interests of 
the party. He stands high in the estimation 
of the people and is one of the prominent 
citizens of the conuuunity in which he resides. 
Socially he is a niend)er of the I. O. O. F. 
Mr. Quick has fine natur;il abilities, is a good 
speaker, exceedingly diligent and careful and, 
being a man of magnificent presence and fine 
manners, has risen rapidly to distinction. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



351 



/^5^0RGE M. GEARHART, a scion 
V p I of one of the oldest and most prom- 
inent families of Northumberland 
County, is at present assistant cashier of the 
Danville National Bank, with which he has 
been connected since 1864. He is a son of 
Bonham and Elizabeth S. (Boyd) Gearhart, 
and was born in Rush township, Northum- 
berland County, March 18, 1841. 

The great-grandfather of our sul)ject, Jacob 
Gearhart, was a nati\'e of Strangsberg, Ger- 
many, and came to America prior to the Rev- 
olutionary War, locating in New Jersey, in 
what is now Hunterdon County. He fought 
throughout the Revolution as a captain in 
the Jersey State Militia and rendered \'alu- 
able aid to the cause of liberty. The war hav- 
ing closed, and as he had friends residing in 
what is now Northumberland County, I\a., he 
migrated to that section with his family. By 
means of horses and wagons they made their 
way over uncultivated and almost pathless 
land to their new home, stopping to rest on 
the property now owned by William F. Gear- 
hart, where they found a small and rude log 
cabin which was vacant. They took a sur- 
vey of the surrounding country, and, the land 
upon examination proving very fertile and 
well adapted for cultivation, decided to settle 
.there. Mr. Gearhart made purchase after pur- 
chase, until he owned about 500 acres of good 
but uncleared land, upon which he built one 
of the first frame houses in the county, the 
one in which William F. Gearhart now re- 
sides, which is still in good condition and will 
stand for many years. With the assistance 
of his children he cleared some 200 acres and 
set out a large orchard which was totally de- 
stroyed by a hail-storm in 1846. This sturdy 
old pioneer lived a long and useful life. His 
worthy wife was Katherine Kline, by whom 
he had the following offspring: Jacob, born 



in 1763, died in 1841; Herman, born in 1765, 
died in 1835; William, died in 1854, at the 
age of seventy-eight years; George; Tunis: 
John, died in 1858, aged seventy years; 
Charles, born in 1783, died in 1863; Isaac; 
Catherine; Mary; and Betsey. 

George Gearhart, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in what is now Hunterdon 
County, N. J., and after attaining man's es- 
tate his father transferred a tract of land to 
him, which is situated about one mile from 
the river bridge on the Susquehanna River. 
He erected good substantial buildings and 
was successfully engaged in the cultivation 
of the soil all of his life. He added to his 
property from time to time and at his death 
owned some 300 or 400 acres lying along the 
Susquehanna. The buildings upon this ])roi)- 
erty have long since been torn down and the 
estate laid out in lots, now forming a portion 
of the village of South Danville, adjoining 
Riverside. George was joined in wedlock to 
Achsah Reynon, who died at an early age, 
and they became the parents of the following 
children: Bonham R., the father of our sub- 
ject; Benjamin; Eliza; and Rebecca. Mr. 
Gearhart formed a second alliance, with 
Phoebe Lott, which resulted in the birth of 
three children: Achsah; George; and Her- 
man. 

Bonham R. liearhart was born in the same 
room, in the same month, and same day of 
the month as our subject, and obtained his 
schooling in the common schools. He was 
a natural scholar, and at the age of twenty- 
one years was graduated from the Jefferson 
Medical College. He immediately after took 
up practice at Sunbury, and later at Washing- 
tonville, where he remained for a time before 
locating in Turbot\ille, whence he moved to 
Danville, Montour County. He was a skilled 
physician and had a large practice through- 



352 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



DUt llie tcjwnsliip. iiiinil)(.Ting among liis pa- 
tients many of the leailing citizens of Dan- 
ville. He was well posted on' all advances 
made in medical sciences, and was np-to-date 
in his treatment of complicated diseases. He 
was very highly thought of by all classes of 
people as he treated many cases for which 
he knew he would ncxcr receive pa)-. I!e 
was called to his final rest at the age of forty- 
two years, as a result of an attack of pneu- 
monia. He was united in hymeneal bonds 
to Miss Eliza1)eth ]!oyd, a daughter of \\'il]- 
iam Boyd of Danville, and they l)ecame the 
parents of the following children: Aclisah; 
William ]■. of Danville; George M., whose 
name heads these lines, had a twin sister 
whose death occurred in infancy; Bonhain R., 
Jr., of Danville; Jasper B.; James B.; Alex- 
ander M., a record of whose life appears else- 
where in tliis Book of Biographies; and M. 
(Jrier. Mrs. Gearhart is now past ciglity- 
four years of age and is enjoying life as a 
resident of Danville, where she has many life- 
long friends. 

George M. Gearhart received a good e(Ui- 
cation in the j-jublic schools and in the high 
school at Danville, from which he graduated. 
He learned the drug trade with Michael C. 
Grier, and, as the telegraph office was in the 
same store, he learned telegraphy and subse- 
quently was train dispatcher at Kingston, I'a., 
on the D., L. & W. Railroad, at which he con- 
tinued until 1864, when he moved to Dan- 
\ille and became teller in the Danville Na- 
tional Bank. He served in that capacity for 
twenty-seven years, during which time he 
thoroughly familiarized himself with l)anking 
business and banking methods and was thus 
well cjualified for his next step in life, assum- 
ing the duties of cashier of the bank, which 
position he held in a satisfactory manner until 
1S96. when he was obliged to give u]) work 



on account of ill health. Mr. Gearhart s])ent 
some time in retirement and has now recuper- 
ated to such an extent that he can do work 
about the office and is now acting as assistant 
cashier. He is a man of excelleiu business 
ability, is shrewd and calculating, and has 
been decidedly successful in his business af- 
fairs. He has many excellent traits of char- 
acter and we may safely assert, without fear 
of contradiction, that no citizen of Danville 
ever had more friends or was held in higher 
esteem than Mr. Gearhart. He lives in a 
beatuiful residence on Market street and owns 
considerable other property in the town. 
He is treasurer and secretary of the Dan\ ille 
Bridge Goiupany, and has served on the 
school board for three years. 

Our subject was united in marriage to Cor- 
delia Clark, a daughter of David Clark, de- 
ceased, who was cashier of the Danville Na- 
tional Bank from 1850 to 1893, and was also 
l)resident of that institution. This liajipy 
union has been blessed by the birth of the fol- 
lowing children : David Clark, who died at 
the age of three years and six months; Charles 
W'illits, a graduate of f.ehigh University, who 
is electrical engineer at the power-house of 
the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City; and 
Eleanor Clark, the wife of Frederick C. Kirk- 
end.'ill. b_\- whoiu she has one son, Charles F. 
Religiously jNIr. Gearhart is a member of the 
I'resbvterian Chiu-ch, of which he is an elder. 



OK A. EOCLVN. We are pleased to 
give a short sketch of the popular and 
talented eilitor of the Miltonian. This 
is one of the best weekly papers of the Sev- 
enteenth Congressional District; it was es- 
tablislied in iSif) as a strong Whig paper by 
(ien. Henrv I'^rick. The first nimiber was is- 




HON'. JKXNIXGS U. KIKTZ 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



355 



sued September 21, 18 16, and tlie paper has 
continued since under the same name. Since 
Fremont's campaign it has advocated the 
I)rinciples of tlie Repuhhcan party and lias 
been owned and pubUshed by the foUowing 
persons: Gen. Henry Frick; Robert Frick; 
Robbins & Brown; L. H. Funk; Morton & 
Mervine, witli wliom F. Bound was later as- 
sociated; P. L. Hackenberg; L. B. Housel; 
and in 1880 Strine & Logan. Our subject 
succeeded his partner in 1S82. The paper has 
been enlarged and its circulation has been 
increased to 1,200. It is a fact worthy of spe- 
cial mention that the office and printing es- 
tablishment has always been located within 
half a square of the present kjcation. 

Joe A. Logan, our subject, was born in 
Milton, Pa., January 12, 1846, and is a son 
of Samuel and Rose (Sties) Logan. The for- 
mer was born in Philadelphia and there mar- 
ried his wife, who was a native of Germany. 
They settled in \\'ilkesbarre, but in 1840 re- 
moved to Milton. 

Our subject attended Milton Academy 
until he was fifteen years of age, when he 
enlisted in Company E, 131st Reg., Pa. \'ol. 
Inf., and later in Company E, 51st Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Inf., and served until the close of the 
war. He is a past commander of Henry Wilson 
Post, G. A. R.; and is a niemlier of Milton 
Lodge, F. & A. M. He is a stockholder in 
the Milton Trust Company, the Milton Safe 
Deposit Company and the IMilton Driving 
Park & Fair Association. He has taken such 
an active interest in the general improvement 
of his native town that he has gained much 
prominence in the conmuuiity. Since 1880 
he has devoted most of his time to his paper 
and his fellow-citizens show their appreciation 
of his efforts by subscribing liberallv. The 
year 1882 marked an interesting event in his 
history, i. e., the celebration nf his marriage 



with Lulu Tilden, a daughter of Enos and 
Isabella Tilden, who were natives of Massa- 
chusetts and Pennsylvania, respectively. Our 
subject and wife are the hai)])y parents of 
three children : ISoIton, Inez, and Joe A., Jr. 
Mr. Logan was postmaster under President 
.Arthur and has served as a member of the 
town council. He has e\'er been a stanch 
supporter of the Republican party. 



^ ON. JENNINGS U. KURTZ, whose 

^^ portrait is shown on the opposite 
page, is efficiently serving in the 
ca]iacity of associate judge of the Twenty- 
sixth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, and is 
a prominent business man of Berwick, being- 
proprietor of the Berwick Marble & Ciranitc 
Works, one of the largest establishments of 
its kind in this section of the state. He is a 
son of Levi and Elizabeth (Schlabach) Kurtz, 
and was born at Summer Hill, Briarcreek 
township, Colundjia County, Julv 3, 1856. 

His grandfather was Henry Kurtz, who 
was born in the state of Pennsylvania and 
came of German parents. He took up the 
occupation of a farmer and at an early dav 
located in Northampton County, Pa., where 
he died in 1830, at the age of si.xty-five years. 
He was also a soldier in the War of 181 2. 
He married Charity Snyder, and their union 
resulted in the birth of ten children : Andrew : 
Levi; Henry; Millie, the wife of Frederick 
Ullmer; Jeremiah; William; Samuel: and 
three who died in childhood. 

Levi Kurtz, the father of our subject, was 
born in Forks township, Northampton Coun- 
ty, March 25, 1825, but in 1843, at the age 
of nineteen years, he moved to Columbia 
County, Pa., with his brother Andrew, who 
is now deceased, and there he followed farm- 
ing. After a time, he took up the cigar- 



356 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



maker's trade and followed it with consider- 
al)]e success at W'ashingtonxille; while thus 
engaged he sa\cd a sufficient sum of money 
to purchase a farm at Summer ITill, which 
he did at about the time of his marriage. Fol- 
lowing farming a short term of years, he then 
traded his farm for a store at Foundryville. 
where he engaged in nicrcrnililc pursuits, lie 
followed that line of husiucss there and at 
Evansville until 1863, when he relinquished it 
to engage in the insurance business. In 1870 
he purchased the Marble & Granite Works of 
\\'illiam l\uch, and started in business in a 
\ery small way. He was an energetic man 
and as success attended his efforts, lie en- 
larged the business and in 1879 took his son, 
our subject, into the firm as a partner. They 
were located on .M.arkcl street at lirst, but as 
the enterprise grew in size, they moxed to 
larger ([uarlers on hront street. Ife con- 
tinued in business until his death in 1888, 
at the age of si.\ty-t\\(i years. He was united 
in marriage with Elizabeth Schlabach, a 
daughter of Daniel and .\nnie (Moore) Schla- 
liacli, and they became the parents of twelve 
children, si.x of whom are still living, namely: 
C. Louise, the wife of S. H. Ruch; Jennings 
v.. the subject of this sketch; Daniel Morris, 
who has charge of the reading notices of the 
New York A\'(>rld; Annie S., a teacher in 
the public schools of I'.rooklyn, N. Y. ; Kittic 
Tv, the wife of .\rthur Lewis of Wilkesbarrc, 
I'a.; and S. T>ur(<)n. an accomplished artist 
of New York City. Le\i Kurtz was original- 
ly a Democrat in his political affiliations, but 
from 1856 until his demise was a Republican. 
Jn religious attachments he was a member of 
the Methodist F.pisco])al Church, whilst so- 
cially he was a member of the Odd Fellows 
Lodge. Mrs. Kurtz, who was born in 1830. 
died in August, 1898, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and 
was brought to Berwick and interred in the 



family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery in tiiat 
town. 

Jennings V. Kurtz attended the public 
schools until he reached the age of fomteen 
years, when he entered his father's business, 
and continued in his employ until twenty- 
three years of age. when he was taken in as 
a partner, the lirm becoming L. Kurtz & 
Son, which has been the firm name up to the 
])rcsent time. They established a reputation 
for good reliable work and erected many 
handsome monuments throughout the coun- 
ty. They accpiired an extensive patron.a.ge 
and the prestige, which the firm enjoyed prior 
to the death of the senior Mr. Kurtz, is still 
in evidence as our subject does w^ork for the 
leading men in this section of the state. He 
has always labored for the best interests of 
the borough and b_\- bis coimection with many 
worthy enterprises may be classed among its 
first citizens. He has been a member of the 
school board and was a trustee on building 
at the time the beautiful addition to the Mar- 
ket Street School was erected. He was also 
on the building couuuittee for the erection of 
the present opera house. He served witii 
credit as school director for six years, three 
years of which he was president of that bodv. 
He was associated in building the block on 
Market street now owned by C. C. E\ans, 
Ks(|. In 1889 he purchased of C. .\. Becker 
what was known as the Pottery, which was 
one of the first industries of the place. This 
property, located at Pine and Second streets, 
he rebuilt for his business and there he h.as a 
large spacious salesroom, office and yard, 
necessary for his business. He is a man oi' 
excellent qualities and is respected and highly 
esteemed by all with whom he is acquainted. 

Mr. Kurtz was imitcd in the holv bonds of 
wedlock with b'anny M. Suit, a daughter of 
l^aniel Suit, w ho w as a i);Uternmakcr b_\' trade. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



357 



and they are tlie proud parents of five child- 
ren: .Pearl Elizabeth; Ruth Suit; Claude 
Morris; Nellie May; and Katherine. Politi- 
cally he is a stanch Republican. In March, 
t(S97, he was ap|)ointed associate judge to fill 
the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. 
Mordecai Millard, and was re-elected in 1897. 
Socially he is a member of Knapp Lodge, No. 
462, F. & A. M.; Berwick Castle, No. 249, 
K. of G. E., of which he is past chief; 
\\'asliington Camp, No. 105, of which he is 
a past president ; and W. T. Sherman Com- 
mandery, No. 23, P. O. S. of A., in which 
he has held many of the offices. 




RANK R. KITCHEN. Prominent 
among the business men of the town 
of Berwick who have contribtited largely to- 
ward the growth and prosperity of that town, 
is the subject of this sketch, who is justice of 
the peace and secretary of the council of the 
borough. He was born in Berwick and is a 
son of Oliver H. and Evangeline (Johnson) 
Kitchen, grandson of Amos and Margaret 
(Campbell) Kitchen, and a great-grandson of 
Enoch and Jerusha (Aloore) Kitchen. 

Enoch Kitchen's father was a native of 
Eng-lantl and of Quaker descent; he was the 
first of the Kitchen family to immigrate to 
America. Enoch Kitchen, the great-grand- 
father of our subject, was a chairmaker by 
trade and followed that <,)CCupation nearly all 
his life. In those days furniture was made 
principally by felling trees and making it up 
into chairs and other furniture by hand. Later 
in life Mr. Kitchen moved to Montour Coun- 
ty, Pa., and located six miles from the town 
of Danville, where he remained the remainder 
of his active days, dying at the age of eighty 
years. He was united in wedlock to Jerusha 



Moore and four children were reared l)y 
them: Andrew; LTriah; Amos; and Jerusha. 

Amos Kitchen, grandfather of our subject, 
during his early days learned the trade of a 
tailor and conducted a tailoring establishment 
in the town of Danville, Pa. In 1823 he 
moved to Berwick, Columl)ia County, and for 
many years conducted a tailor-shop where 
Heller's saloon is now located. He married 
Margaret Campbell, a daughter of Alexander 
Campbell, and the following children blessed 
their home, namely: INlatilda; Oliver H.; 
Pemberton; Edwin; Permelia; John; Clinton; 
William; Ely, who died young; and Ely. Mr. 
Kitchen passed from this earth aged forty- 
two vears; his wife died at the age of eight}- 
three years. 

Oliver H. Kitchen, the father of our sub- 
ject, when InU a mere lad learned the trade 
of tailor from his father and when his father 
passed from this life he succeeded him in the 
business; his workmanship was of first- 
class order and he established a regular trade 
and was the leading tailor of Berwick. His 
establishment was located in the Seesholtz 
property on Market street, and in 1892 the 
building was burned down, and with his son, 
our subject, inunediately rebuilt the present 
fine block. In 1868 he built a fine residence; 
later he built another residence on the rear 
end of the lot, facing the other street, and in 
1898 our subject built another on the same 
lot. Mr. Kitchen has been in the tailoring 
business for fifty years and is now passing the 
sunset of life in retirement. He is truly a 
self-made man, having accumulated what he 
has of this world's goods through his own 
energy and good judgment, and is one of 
Berwick's recognized business men of push 
and tact. He has assisted in building up the 
county and community, and has watched with 
interest its progress. It has been an inter- 



358 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



esting review in wliich he may justly feel 
pride in liavino- l^cen a sharer. Mr. Kitchen 
has ser\e(l thirty-ci!.:;ht years as overseer of 
the i)0()r of C'olnnihia County. He takes 
S'reat interest in the old cemetery, and lie 
formed a company and raised funds to put it 
in ^ood shape, and built a fence around it. 
lie was assisted by Leroy Thomp.son and E. 
A. Wilson, and the three gentlemen had 
chars^e of the cemetery until 1892. It al- 
ways has been one of the best kept cemeteries 
in C"oIunibia County, and is such at the pres- 
ent time. Mr. Kitchen formed a matrimonial 
alliance with .Mary Conyus and two children 
are the result of this happy union, as follows: 
Margaret, the devoted wife of E. Clinger, a 
resident of llerwick; and Annie, who mar- 
ried M. 1.. Thornton, and resides in 
Huntington, West \'a. Mr. Thornton 
is general agent for the Ensign Car 
Works of llnntington. Mr. Kitchen's sec- 
ond union was with Angeline Johnson, 
daughter of Barter Johnson, of Briarcreek 
township, and by this union two children 
blessed their home: Frank T\.. the subject of 
this sketch; and Jennie K.. who resides at 
home. 

h'rank K. Kitchen, the only son of his 
parents, was born in the town of Berwick, 
Pa., November 10, 1S57, and received his in- 
tellectual training in the public schools and 
high scliool of Berwick; upon his graduation 
from the latter institution he clerked in a gen- 
eral merchandise store at b'.spy. Pa., for two 
\'ears. {_)ur subject then learned the trade of 
;i niolder which he followed tnUil 1X92. when 
he was appointed justice of the peace, the 
duties of which position he is honestly and 
f;iithfully discharging. He has also served 
as secretary of the town council. Mr. Kitchen 
is the manager of the V. O. S. of A. opera- 
house, a position he has held since the erec- 



tion of that building. Ele has won the con- 
fidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens and 
is recognized as one of the solid citizens of 
I'.erwick. He possesses force of character, 
is decided in his opinions and fearless in the 
expression of thai which he l)elie\'es to l)e 
right. He is now attending to the care of 
Ins beIo\ed ])arents. 



CBERT D. LANCASTER, a highly 
esteemed resident of Forksville, 
Sullivan County, Pa., was for many 
years a prosperous merchant there, but since 
1S94 he has been living in practical retire- 
ment. He is a son of Richard and Eanny 
(Mcllwain) Lancaster, and was born in South 
Sterling, Wayne ComUy, Pa., December 13. 
1S25. 

His grandfather was William Lancaster, a 
nati\'e of England, who immigrated to this 
country and located in Philadelphia, where 
he remained until 1821. In that year he 
moved to South Sterling, Wa_\-ne County, Pa., 
and there followed his trade as a carpenter 
until his death at the age of seventy-six years. 
He was joined in marriage bonds to Margaret 
])unle\\', who also came of a well-known 
luiglish family, and they reared three chil- 
dren : Richard, the father of our subject; 
Americns: and Clara. 

Richard Lancaster was born in England 
and was nine )ears of age when he came to 
.\merica with his ]iarents. At an early age 
he and his brother Americns learned the jew- 
eler's trade and did job work for Mr. Duboys, 
a well-known jeweler of Philadelphia. In 
1833 Richard turned his attention to agri- 
cultural pursuits and became one of the most 
prominent citizens in Wayne County. He 
was a man of more than ordinary ability and 
was well thought of bv his fellowmen. In 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



;%9 



1840 he was elected sheriff of Wayne County 
and subsequently was chosen to represent his 
district in the State Legislature. He was 
also justice of the peace for many years and 
held many minor offices. He was united 
in marriage with Fanny ?klcllwain and the fol- 
lowing children were born unto them: Rich- 
ard; William; George; John; Franklin; Hugh 
A.; Robert D., the gentleman whose name 
heads these lines; Christopher C. ; Margaret; 
and Jane. Mr. Lancaster passed away at the 
age of sixty-eight years and his wife at the 
age of sixty-five years. 

Robert D. Lancaster attended the public 
schools and the Wayne Institute, receixing a 
good intellectual training, and then taught 
school for one year. He next went to Beth- 
any, \\'ayne County, and accepted a clerk- 
ship with E. W. Hamlin, Esq., with whom 
he remained for four years. He then pur- 
chased the store of his employer and suc- 
cessfully conducted it for four years, when he 
removed to Salt Rapids, Minn., as a land 
surveyor for the government, remaining there 
about three years. L'pon returning East he 
engaged in the mercantile business in con- 
nection with his brother, William, at New 
Albany, Pa., and also in the lumber business 
at Cape Mills, from 1862 to 1867. In 1867 
he moved to Forksville, Sullivan County, Pa., 
and purchased the store opposite what is now 
the Forksville House, anil conducted it for 
two years alone. At the expiration of that 
time he took in G. A. Mcllwain and they con- 
ducted the store for three years. His partner 
then retired and the store was conducted un- 
til 1875 ^y our subject. At that time he dis- 
posed of his store and went to Bethany, 
^^'ayne County, for one year. Upon return- 
ing to Forksville at the expiration of that 
time, he again took charge of his old store 
and engaged in general merchandising until 



he retired from business in 1894. He has 
since assisted his son, Brenton S., who con- 
ducts a drug store in Forks\ille, and is also 
engaged in business in Towanda, Bradford 
County. He resides in a handsome home in 
Forksville and is surrounded by a large circle 
of friends. 

Mr. Lancaster was united in marriage with 
Serenda Mathers, who died in 1890 at the 
age of thirty-eight years, and they reared the 
following children: Hammond D.; Brenton 
S. : and Gertrude .\. Our subject is a Demo- 
crat and has served as school director, county 
auditor and justice of the peace. In religious 
attachments he is an attendant of the Episco- 
pal Church, but his wife belonged to the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 




OHN B. ZIMMERMAN comes from 
a family which has long been noted for 
natural mechanical talents. .\t an early 
age he entered his father's shop to learn the 
blacksmith's trade. His father was a skilled 
blacksmith, as also was his grandfather. 

As our suljject grew older he became a 
skilled workman and displayed unusual apt- 
ness in his chosen trade. He erected a large 
and cununodious shop in Shamokin, where 
he manufactures wagons, carriages, a'nd all 
kinds of vehicles. Being sensible, ui)right and 
shrewd in his business affairs, he has built up 
a trade reaching over a wide expanse of terri- 
tory. New plans which promise any real ad- 
vance in his business are readily added to his 
present system, thus aft'ording him facilities 
for carrying on an enterprise second to none 
of its kind in Shamokin. Mr. Zimmerman 
employs a force of ten or twelve men to assist 
him in furnishing his trade with celerity and 
])romptness. and his present prospects point 
to a still greater expansion of the business. 



360 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



In the spring of 1899 onr subject changed 
the location of liis plant from the corner of 
Independence and Market streets, where he 
had carried on his business since 1868, to 
West Sixth street, in the vicinity of the high 
bridge. 

Our sul)ject is a son of Jeremiah and Har- 
riet (I'riglit) Zimmerman, and was born in 
Sunbury, Northumberland County, Mav 22, 
1851, receiving his education in the i)ul)iic 
schools of Shamokin. His paternal grand- 
father, George II. Zimiuerman, was a native 
of Berks County, but subsequently located in 
Sunbury, Northumberland County, where he 
was a prominent blacksmith. He rendered 
\aluable service to his country during the 
War of 1S12. His maternal grandfather, Ja- 
cob liright, was a jeweler by trade; he, too, 
fought bravely during the Wiw of jSij, and 
afterward died at Sunbury. 

Jeremiah Zinmierman, father of our sub- 
ject, was a man of such unusual jiromiiience 
that a brief sketch of his life deserves men- 
tion here. He was born in Berks County. 
Pa., in January, 1820, and was brought to 
this county with his i)arents at the early age 
of seven years. His aihantages for securing 
an education were uf the poorest and he re- 
cci\'ed but three niDnths' schooling. In his 
father's shoj) he learned the blacksmith's 
trade, whicii business he followed in Sutd)ury 
for many years, discontinuing it after being 
elected justice of the peace, w'hich position he 
retained for several years. Later he moved 
to the borough of Northumberland and was 
collector for the Pennsylvania Canal, at which 
time the management was under the control 
of the state. He served in this capacity three 
years, after which he engaged in business as 
a coal operator, being a member of the firm 
of Zimmerman & Pureed. This business was 
carried on very successfully for a few years, 



but the company met with reverses and finally 
failed in 1856. While in the coal business Mr. 
Zinnuerman was elected a member of the 
Pennsylvania Legislature and served two 
terms; he was also president of a Shamokin 
Banking Institute. After going out of the 
coal business he was engaged by various firms 
as l)ookkeeper. also as superintendent for 
various coal operators, and in 1864 he located 
permanently in Shamokin. He was a Demo- 
crat of the most ardent type and was active 
and untiring in the interests of his party. He 
served as burgess for the town of Shamokin 
for three terms, rounding out his closing years 
as an efficient public servant wliose record of- 
fers a splendid example of what may be ac- 
com])lished in the voyage through life with- 
out educational advantages in youth. He 
died in 1893. He had been a Mason for over 
fifty years. Nine children blessed the union 
of Jeremiah Zimmerman and his excellent 
wife, tw^o of whom died in infancy, and the 
following grew to manhood and womaidiood : 
F.lla Lucy, now deceased; Harriet, wife of 
Paul Roth of Shamokin; John B., subject of 
this sketch; George, a painter by trade, in 
the employ of our subject, and lives in Shamo- 
kin; Ro.sa, wife of Samuel Haas, also of Sha- 
mokin; Milton, an attornev of note, residing 
in Danville; and William Cameron, who is a 
])aiutcr and resides in Philadelphia. 

On April 5, 1874, our subject was united 
in marriage with Jane Newberry of North- 
uml)erland borough, and six children were 
born to Idess their home: Ida Mav; Edward 
B., now his father's able assistant as book- 
keeper; Harriet ]\I.; John; Clara; and Gro- 
ver Cleveland. Mr. Zimmerman, like his fath- 
er, is a strong lieliever in the principles of 
Democracy, but has not sought political hon- 
ors. He was persuaded to serve as assistant 
burgess of Shamokin, which position he filled 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



3H1 



with credit and distinction. He is a pleasant 
gentleman and is a valued member of his com- 
nnmitv. 




RI'IDERICK GROSS, a successful 
and prosperous general merchant 
of Mount Carmel, Northumberland 
County, is a man who began life on a farm, 
but worked his wav u]) until now he is tme 
of Mount Carmers leading business men, 
while at the same time retaining his fondness 
for and interest in farming. He was born in 
Union County, this state, January 9, 1846, and 
is a son of Charles and Annie (Forsyth) Gross. 
The great-grandfather of our subject was a 
native of Germany, and when he came to this 
country settled in one of the eastern counties 
of Pennsylvania, finally locating in Union 
County, wiiere he died. 

The father of our subject was born in Ly- 
coming County. Pa., and when a young man 
he removed to Union County, where he fol- 
lowed his trade as a shoemaker and also en- 
gaged in farming. He died in the spring of 
1864, at the age of se\enty-two years. Mr. 
Gross' mother was a native of Union County. 
She died in 1891, at the age of nearly eighty- 
five years. The family of Charles and Annie 
Gross consisted of ten children, a,s follows : 
Jackson, who resides in Union County, this 
state; Margaret, who died young; Martha, 
who is a resident of Fulton County, III; 
Charles, Catharine and Alary, who reside in 
Union County, Charles occupying the old 
family homestead; two, who died in infancy; 
Frederick, the subject of our sketch; and 
Samuel, who resides in New Berlin, Union 
County, Pa. 

Our subject, Frederick Gross, was reared 
on the homestead of his parents in Union 
Count}' and obtained a connnon school edu- 



cation. He remained on the farm until he 
was eighteen years of age, when, having an 
ambition to be something more than a farmer, 
he set out on his own account. He learned 
the trade of harness-maker, at which he 
worked for some time. In 1865 he removed 
to Mount Carmel, where he secured an ad- 
vantageous opening as a clerk in a general 
store. He remained in the store for several 
years, mastering every detail of the general- 
merchandise business, and finally engaged in 
business for himself. By his energy, careful 
attention to small details and his uniform 
courtesy he immediately placed himself on a 
popular basis with the ])urchasing comnumity 
and was very successful from his start in busi- 
ness on his own account. He has since fol- 
lowed the mercantile Ijusiness and now has 
one of the largest and principal stores in 
Mount Carmel. In addition to his store, Mr. 
Gross owns a farm in the Buffalo Valley, 
Union County, which contains 130 acres and 
to which he gives considerable attention. 

In politics our subject always has been an 
ardent Republican antl, although he never 
has cared for or sought oiifice, he has been 
called upon to fill the offices of school director 
and councilman, in which he displayed the 
same ability which has made his Inisiness so 
successful and served to the entire satisfaction 
of his friends and constituents. Religiously 
Mr. Gross is a member of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Mount Carmel, of which he 
has been a member for twenty-five years and 
in which he was for several years an active 
leader and an ardent worker. Mr. Gross is a 
member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 630, 
I. O. O. F., which he joined in 1868, and for 
seventeen years he has been secretary of the 
lodge. 

In October, i8r)3. Mr. Gross was united in 
marriage to Susan Hcim, daughter of John 



362 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Hciin. To tliem lia\'e l^een 1)orn these chil- 
dren : Charles S., who resides in Mount Car- 
nicl. and who niarrieil Ilattie Fisher, and is 
engaged in the mercantile business with his 
father; Calvin E., who also resides in Mount 
Carmcl and married 1 )ella Klase, who died at 
the birth of her first child: Agnes, unmarried; 
Alice, who died at the age of eleven months; 
and .\nnie, who is the wife of Frank Christ of 
Mount Carmel. 




ON. liliNRV Al. JllXClvLEY, one 
of Danville's most eminent and hon 
(iro<l attiirnevs. and e\-jiidge of 
.MdiUour County, was born in Harrisburg, 
I'a., June 2, 1H50. lie is a son of Joel ;md 
Theodosia (Graydon ) Hinckley, grandson of 
Charles flinckley, and great-grandson of Joel 
and Ilopestill (iJrewster) Hinckley. 

Hopcstill (Brewster) Hinckley, the grjal- 
granilniiither of our subject, was born in Leb- 
anon, Conn., May 27, 1760, and was a daugh- 
ter of Tchabod ih-ewstcr. Ichabod Brewster 
was born in Saxony, Mass., in 1710, and iiis 
wife was l.\ilia i'.ai'stow: he was a sou of 
William and Lydia (Partridge) Brewster, and 
a grandson of Truelcnx Brewster. Truelox'e 
i'li-ewsler was a son of i'llder William lirewster, 
who was born in Wales in 13(10; he, with his 
wife .Xlarw came lo .\uierica on the May- 
llower, in 1620, .and he was the brst minister 
in the New luigland States. Joel Hinckley, 
the great-grandfather of our subject, resided 
at Lebanon, Conn., all liis life. His son 
Charles was born in T,ebanon, Conn., April 
26, 1786, and moved to W'eathersfield, Vt., 
where he li\ed a number of years, then mi- 
grated to Harrisburg, Pa., where he followed 
his trade as a blacksmith the rest of his active 
days. He retired from active labors, moving 
to Danville, where he passed from this life 



at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife 
was born in I7<SS and died in 1836. Thev 
were tlie j^arents of the following chikhxMi : 
Joel; Lucretia, who died in infancy; Julia 
Ann; Charles, who died in infancv; ;iiid 
Lucretia. 

Joel Hinckley, the father of our subject. 
was 1)orn at W'eatherstield, \'t., January 19, 
1809, and moved to Danville, I'a., in iSf.o, 
for many years being connected with the well- 
known firm of Waterman t't Beaver. !!!'- 
latter days were sjient in retirement. He was 
united in marriage with Theodosia (jraydon, 
who was born Xoxember i. 1812, and wb.o 
was the drmghter of W'illiam and Eleanor 
Ciraydon. Eight children blessed the home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley, namely: ivllen: W il- 
liam. and Andrew, who died in infancv: Julia, 
who died uiuuarried; Charles, deceased, who 
married a Miss Tra\is; Alice and Helen, w lio 
died in infancy; and Heiu-y M-. our subject. 
The father of our subject entered the world of 
rest at the age of eighty-four, and his w'fe 
died at the age of fortN'-three years. 

Henry M. Hincklex' received his prini;n\ 
education in the ])ublic schools of Harrisburg, 
Pa., and (hen entered Princeton College, from 
w'hich he was graduated in 1874. In addi- 
tion to his regular course he stu<lied law and 
upon his graduation he returned to Danville 
and became a student of law with Isaac X. 
Crier. He was admitled to the bar of Mon- 
tour County in 1875 and to the Supreme 
Court in 1878; he iuunediately began prac- 
ticing his chosen profession with 1. X. (irier, 
and contimied with him until the latter re- 
tired from business to pass the sunset of life 
in quietude and peace. Hon. Henry M. 
Hinckley has a fine suite of rooms at No. 350 
Mill street, and also has one of the best pri- 
vate libraries in Eastern Pennsylvania. He 
is one of the foremost attornevs of Montour 




WILSON U. lURY. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



365 



County and has established a large practice; 
he possesses a large fnnd of knowledge, is 
llnent in speech and a pleasant talker. Our 
subject was appointed judge of the Montour 
courts in 1888 by Gov. James A. Beaver, 
which evidenced iiis popularity in the com- 
munity. He is president of the Danville Y. 
-\l. C. .\. 

Hon. Henry M. Hinckley was luiited in 
marriage with Minnie S. Gearhart, a daugh- 
ter of Maybury Gearhart of Roaring Creek, 
and they have reared the following children : 
Sarah G. ; John M., a student at Lafayette 
College; Eleanor; Edna, who attends Wilson 
College at Chambersburg, Pa.; and Elizabeth 
S. He is a member and elder of the Mahon- 
ing Presbyterian Church and is superintend- 
ent of the Sabbath School. Our subject has 
a handsome residence at Riverside surrounded 
by a beautiful lawn. In politics he is a stanch 
Republican. 




ILSON U. JURY, whose work as an 
architect is unexcelled in Columbia 
County, has an established reputa- 
tion and is one of the most enterprising and 
progressive citizens of Bloomsljurg. He is a 
son of Benjamin W. and Susan (Wirt) Jury, 
and was born in Millersburg, Dauphin Coun- 
ty, Pa., August I, 1866. 

Benjamin W. Jury, the father of our subject, 
was also born in Millersburg, but has resided 
in Bloomsburg since 1891. He is well and 
favoral)ly known throughout the county as 
a contractor and builder, and many of the 
principal buildings of the vicinity were erected 
by him. Among his first contracts was the 
erection of the Bloomsburg Silk Mills, which 
are the largest in Central Pennsylvania, and 
he fulfilled his contract to the letter, thereby 
winning not only the confidence of his em- 



ployers but others who were in nowise finan- 
cially concerned. He also l)uilt the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church of Bloomsburg, one of 
the most beautiful edifices in this section of 
the state. It is constructed of gray stone and 
with its irregular and deeply-indented sides 
presents a very attractive appearance, which 
is in keeping with the handsomely finished in- 
terior. He received contracts for many of 
the principal residences in Bloomsburg, and 
their beautiful appearance bespeaks the excel- 
lence of his work. The following are among 
the most important : the homes of W. H. 
Slate, E. C. Wells. R. R. Little, Rev. Dona- 
hue, Paul E. Wirt on Fifth street, J. H. 
Maize, Mr. P"r_\-mire, and twenty houses 
which were liuilt for Joseph Ratti. He pur- 
chased the former home of L. N. Moyer, 
which he enlarged, remodeled and fitted up 
with all modern conveniences, and in which 
he has since resided. He is now living in 
practical retirement and enjoying the fruits of 
his early industry, but he is still a large stock- 
holder in many of the leading manufactories 
of Bloomsburg. 

Benjamin W. Jury twice took marriage 
vows, his first wife being Susan Wirt, a native 
of Dauphin County, and they became the par- 
ents of nine children: Wilson LL, the gentle- 
man wdiose name appears at the head of these 
lines; Alda, who married F. E. Enery; How- 
ard, a carpenter of Bloomsburg; Israel, a 
hatter of Philadelphia; Aaron, a carpenter of 
Scranton, Pa.; Dora and Ira, students; and 
Abner. His second union was with Mrs. Ka- 
tie (Crist) McHenry, and they reared one son, 
— Benjamin. 

Wilson v. Jury received his mental train- 
ing in the public schools of Millersburg and 
Williamsport, Pa., and wdien a very small boy 
began working with his father during vaca- 
tions and spare moments, thus acquiring a 



366 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



.^fno(^ knowledge of building. He was a nat- 
ural mechanic and draughtsman and went to 
riiiladelphia, where for three years he served 
ail ai)prenticeshii) to an architect, after which 
he engaged as an architect in Xorristown for 
f(nn' years. in Jnl\-, 1892, he niox-ed to 
Bloomsburg and was decidedly successful 
from the start. Most of the residences erected 
hy his father and many others were built from ! 
plans prepared by him, and he is tirmlv es- 
tablished in the confidence and good-will of 
the citizens of Bloomsburg. As an architect 
he has no superior, and his work gives gen- 
eral satisfaction. He is not only efficient in 
liraughting but can aptly follow a descriptive 
idea and draught it on block as a means of 
Illustration. He jierformed the architectural 
work for a number of public structures, 
among them the First National Bank of 
Bloomsburg: Catawissa High School; Nes- 
copeck High Scliool: and the residences of 
C. B. T.utz. Dr. J. ^V. Bruner, Prof. F. H. 
Jenkins, and J. G. Harman. He has a large 
and well-equipjjed office in the First National 
Jiank building on the corner of Main and 
Market streets, and owns and lives in a 
handsome residence on Jeft'erson street. Al- 
though he is a young man just entering the 
prime of life, Mr. Jury's success has been lit- 
tle short of phenomenal, and he has hosts of 
friends who wish liim continued prosperity 
and happiness. 

Mr. Jury was united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony with Ida Shupe, a woman of many 
virtues, wdio is a daughter of John K. Siiupe 
of Millersburg. This happy union has been 
blessed by the birth of one daughter, Olive 
A., who was born in Xorristown, Pa., April 
30, 1889. Socially Mr. Jury is a member of 
Van Camp Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F. His 
l)ortrait is presented on a previous page in 
l)roximity to this. 



cTr OHN McELIKCE settled in Shamokin. 




,. Coal townshi]), in 1885, and was wel- 
comed as a valuable acquisition to the 
borough. He is a man of great personal 
magnetism and his influence and energy is 
felt in all pid)lic gatherings, where he is re- 
garded as an enterprising pxntleman, well 
(|ualified to fill any position with honor and 
credit to himself and his employers. Thus we 
introduce to our readers the able and efficient 
superintendent of the Edison Electric Illumi- 
nating Company and also of the Shamokin 
Arc Light Company of Shamokin. 

John McEliece was born in Dau])hin Coun- 
ty, Pa., September 16, 1842, and is a son of 
Ceorge and Mary (Woodside) McEliece, and 
a grandson of John McEliece of Ireland. His 
maternal grandfather, Jonathan \\^oodside, 
was born at the old homestead in Dauphin 
County, where he led the active life of the 
earlx' pioneers and was a verv successful and 
])rogressive farmer, besides being of great val- 
ue to his country. He served throughout the 
War of 1812, and was a participant in the last 
great battle at New Orleans, where many lives 
were needlessly sacrificed. Just fifteen days 
after the making of the treaty at Ghent, De- 
cember 24, 1 814, and before the news had 
reached this country that a treaty of peace 
had been concluded. Gens. Packenham and 
(iibbs made a desperate attack on New Or- 
leans, on January 8, 1815. But we had a 
Jackson at New Orleans, as previously we 
had a \\"ashington at Yorktown, and later had 
a Scott at Mexico, a (irant at Richmond and 
a Dewey at Manila. With this signal victory 
at New Orleans, Jackson's name goes on the 
pages of history as one of the American he- 
roes and "fighting" generals. 

George McEliece, father of our subject, was 
born in Ireland, February 22, 1819, and im- 
migrated to this countr\- when nineteen years 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



367 



old. locating in Lykens \'alley at the time the 
Lvkens \'alley R. R. was being constructed. 
Later in life he removed to Shamokin, where 
he soon became a citizen of much prominence. 
He endorsed the principles of Democracy and 
took a very active interest in politics. He 
was elected treasurer of Xorthumber- 
land County, which fact is sufficient proof of 
the esteem in which he was held by the people 
of his county. He served as county treasurer 
for two years, i86g and 1870, faithfully dis- 
charging the duties incumbent on him. Sha- 
mokin Lodge, F. & A. M., honors him as one 
of its charter members. He was united in 
marriage with Mary Woodside, who bore him 
seven children, who were named as follows : 
Elizabeth; John, our subject; Mary, who be- 
came the wife of Anthony J. Gallagher of 
Wilkesbarre, Pa., both now deceased; Annie, 
wife of James J. Rigney, of Shamokin; Jane, 
who is the wife of John O'Keefe, a large ranch 
owner at Seattle, Washington; Isabella, wid- 
ow of Bryan Jennings, deceased; and Mag- 
gie, who died unmarried. 

John McEliece, the subject of this sketch, 
received a j^ractical education in tlie public 
schools of Shamokin and was among the first 
to enlist in the Union Army. In 1861, when 
but eighteen years old, he enlisted in Com- 
])any K, 46th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf.. and served 
in the Army of the Potomac and in the Army 
of the West a little over two years. He par- 
ticipated in the battle of Winchester, fought 
May 26, 1862, in which the Union Army was 
victorious; he was twice wounded in the bat- 
tle of Cedar Mountain, Va.. where an engage- 
ment took place August 9. 1862, which re- 
sulted in heavy Union losses, our subject be- 
ing one of 400 taken prisoners by the Rebels. 
He was placed in a Confederate hospital at 
Staunton, Va., for about one month, after 
which he was taken to Libbv Prison. He was 



confined there and at Belle Island for about 
two months, when he was enabled to rejoin 
his regiment. He enlisted as a private, but 
received his discharge as a sergeant. 

Returning from the war, Mr. McEliece en- 
gaged as brakeman on the Shamokin division 
of the Northern Central R. R. He received 
rapid promotion, first to fireman, then to en- 
gineer, all before the end of his first year of 
service. At the end of one and a half years" 
ser\-ice on this road he resigned his position 
and accepted the very important and lucrative 
one, that of superintendent of Locust Gap 
Colliery, which position he retained for many 
years. Aside from the duties of superintend- 
ent, which he performed with regularity and 
exactness, he looked after many other inter- 
ests, and was justice of the peace for fifteen 
years. 

There seemed to be a charm about military 
life that won favor with Mr. McEliece. He 
organized a military company in July, 1869, 
w hich was known as the "Washington Rifles" 
and was commissioned their captain, and 
served in that capacity for six years. This 
company was afterward merged into the State 
National Guard as Company A, 7th Regi- 
ment. His duties connected with the colliery 
compelled him to sever his connection with 
the company after he had completed its or- 
ganization. He remained in Locust Gap un- 
til 1885, at which time he accepted his present 
important position in Shamokin. 

Our subject sought and won Ann Ellen 
Lukens, a daughter of Michael Lukens of 
Philadelphia, and she became his bride in Au- 
gust, 1866. Their family numbers seven chil- 
dren, viz: George \\'.. a machinist by trade, 
who enlisted in Light Battery P., of the 5th 
U. S. Artillery and served five years, seeing 
active service during the Cuban War. — on 
October 6, 1898, he was detached and is now 



368 



BOOK 0¥ BIOGRAPHIES. 



serving- as clerk at the headquarters of Gen. 
Leonard Wood, whose war record needs no 

iiitrdihictiiin to the people of the p|-esent (hiy; 
I'rcil, a locomotixe ent;incer; Leo. wlio is a 
tnemlier of Company K, 8tli Reg., Pa. Vol. 
Inf., and who also saw active service in the 
t'nhan War; Lloyd, a fireman for the electric 
light com|)any of Shamokin: Isahclla; TJllian; 
and r\Liggie. 

.Mr. McEliece is a devout Roman Catholic 
and a lilieral supjiorter of his church; he is 
also a valued niemher of Lincoln Post, No. 
140, G. A. R. His friends are unanimous in 
their opinion, that his success has come from 
steady purpose and constant industry, and no 
one covets the position of true worth and es- 
teem which he has ohtained. 



(JHX K. HAAS. Prominent among 
the acti\'c citizens of Shamokin was 
John K. Haas, who recently died, a 
successful business man, who since 1895 had 
l)een proprietor of the Shamokin Marble & 
Granite Works. Mr. llaas was born 
in L'pjK'r RIalianoy township, Northum- 
berland Counl\'. on the 66th anniver- 
sary of the independence of om^ country, 
July 4, 184J. He had exceptional educa- 
tional adx'anlages, received his jirimary edu- 
cation in the ])ublic schools, after which he 
attended the academies of Freeburg, Allen- 
town, and Kutzlown, also taking a course at 
Franklin and Marshall College, at Lancaster, 
Pa. After college life he followed teaching 
for eight or nine years, teaching in Lehigh, 
Schuylkill and Northumberland counties. In 
1871 Mr. Haas engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness in Shamokin which he followed unin- 
terruptedly for a period of twenty-four years. 
In 1895 he sold out his mercantile interests 



and engaged in the marble and granite busi- 
ness. Our subject was a son of Nathan and 
Eliza (Knorr) Haas, and a grandson of 
George and Elizabeth (Miller) Haas. 

(Icorgc Haas was a native of Oley. I 'a., but 
when a young married man removed to L'p- 
l)er Ahdiano\- townshi]), Northumberland 
County, where he followed the occupation of 
a farmer ;md was one of the very early set- 
tlers in that section, .\fter many years of suc- 
cessful farming he died there and his remains 
lie in the old churchyard in that \icinitv. He 
was a lifelong Democrat. He was an active 
member of the Reformed Church. Elizabeth 
Miller became his wife and among their fam- 
il\- were the following: Nathan, father of our 
subject; Hem-y; George; Le\i, who died 
young; Hettie; Elizabeth; Salome; Kath- 
erine; Lydia; and Caroline. 

Nathan Haas, father of our subject, was 
born in Lehigh County and was brought to 
Xorthumberland County by his parents, at 
the tender age of three years. He receiveil 
the ordinary education of a farmer's bov and 
was reared on his father's farm. When grown 
to manhood he very naturally 1:)ecame a farm- 
er and followed that calling throughout his 
life, ]3assing awa}' in 1890. He possessed the 
same religious and political beliefs as his fath- 
er. He was united in marriage with Eliza 
Knorr, a native of Schuylkill County. Pa., 
and their family consisted of twebe children : 
Catherine, now deceased, who was the wife of 
Samuel Paul; Lydia, also deceased, who was 
the wife of J. Daniel, and after his death be- 
came the wife of Nathan Stehle; Isaac, who 
died at the age of four years; John K., sub- 
ject of this review; Henry K., a prosperous 
farmer of Schuylkill County, Pa.; Joel K., 
a progressive farmer of Northumberland 
County; Mary, wife of A. A. Smith of Sham- 
okin; Elizabeth, wife of Henrv Dunkelberg- 




HON. ANDREW LUCIUS FRITZ. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



371 



cr. a favnier of Sclui}lkill Cminly; Daniel K., 
a successful hotel-keeper in Snyder County, 
Pa. : Amelia, wife of George Paul of North- 
umberland County; Xatlian and Milton, both 
of whom died in early chiUlliood. 

On March 31, 1868. John K. Haas was 
united in marriage with Mary Seiler, a sister 
of E. G. Seiler of Shamokin, whose sketch al- 
so appears in this book. Fi\e daughters were 
born to them: Rosa M., now the wife of A. 
R. Brubacher, who graduated at Myerstown, 
Andover and Yale colleges, and is now pro- 
fessor of Greek and Latin in the seminary of 
East Hampton, Mass. ; Flora Ellen, now re- 
siding at West Philadelphia, the wife of H. C. 
Shultz, a telegraph operator for the I'ennsyl- 
vania Company; Sadie E., bookkeeper for 
the Shamokin cracker factory; Anna, who re- 
sides in Philadelphia and is engaged in clerk- 
ing in the great mercantile estal)lislnnent of 
John ^\'anamaker; and Ruth Eveline. Our 
subject antl his family bad long been members 
of the Reformed Church; he bad served in 
the office of elder, deacon and treasurer for 
many years. He enlisted in the Civil War, 
August 8, 1862, being a member of Company 
C, 131st Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., and served until 
February, 1863. 

Mr. Haas was a stanch Democrat and 
served his party as delegate to county con- 
ventions, as town councilman, and asses- 
sor for a numlier of years. Socially he was a 
member of Eureka Lodge, No. 125, L O. O. 
!•"., and Lincoln Post, No. 140, G. A. R. 




ON. ANDREW LUCIUS FRITZ, 
of Bloomsburg. whose portrait is pre- 
sented on the opposite page, was 
born in Sugarloaf township, Columbia Coun- 
ty. Pennsylvania. His ancestors lived on 



Chestnut street. I'liiladelpbia . during the 
Revolutionary War. They took an active 
part in the scenes incident to that time. His 
great-grandfather, Philip Fritz, moved with 
his son. our subject's grandfather, to northern 
Columbia Coutity, and purchased a large tract 
of land. Philip Fritz was the first school 
teacher and justice of the peace of that part 
of the county. According to history be was 
"a great scholar and a local public charac- 
ter of more than ordinary influence." 

Our subject's father. Jesse Fritz, was a far- 
mer and he piu'chased and lived upon the "old 
homestead." where he was a justice of the 
peace for a number of years. The subject of 
this sketch worked on the farm in the sum- 
mer and went to school in winter, for a num- 
ber of years, and began teaching school at 
the age of fifteen, following that profession for 
a period of six years. He went to several 
institutions of learning and accjuired a thor- 
ough academic education. He has always 
been a laborious student. He studied law 
with ex-L'nited States Senator C. R. Bucka- 
lew. and has been in active practice at 
Bloomsburg since his admission to the bar. 
He has a large practice in Colimibia and ad- 
joining counties, and has been called to try 
cases before the Supreme and Stiperior Courts 
of his state. When a student-at-law. he was 
appointed as deputy by three sheriffs in suc- 
cession, aufl had charge of the sheriff's office 
of Columbia County in the absence of the 
sheriff' until his practice compelled him to 
give up the position. He has been receiver 
of taxes, town auditor, solicitor of the 
Bloomsburg Poor District, and counsel for a 
number of municipalities, and he was secre- 
tary of the town council for a number of years 
until he resigned. Through these positions" 
and by his kind and obliging disposition, be 
made many friends and became well-ac- 



■AT^ 



BOOK OF lilOGRAPIIIES.- 



quainted with the people of liis section of tlic 
state. 

In 1884, ;Mr. Fritz was elected to the Penn- 
syhania House of Representatives, receiving 
the highest vote on the Democratic ticket. 
In 1886, he was renominated without oppo- 
sition and was elected, running ahead of his 
ticket at the general election. In i8gi, he 
was elected as a member to the proposed con- 
stitutional convention from the senatorial 
district composed of the comities of Colum- 
bia, Montour, Lycoming, and Sullivan. He 
was again elected a member of the House of 
Representatives to the session of 1893, and 
was renominated without o])i)osition and re- 
elected in November, 1894, for a fourth 
term, which had never Ijefore been given 
to a person in this section of the slate. Dur- 
ing his last term, he ser\-ed on the ways and 
means, appropriation, and judiciary general 
committees, an honor given to no other mem- 
ber of that session, that of serving on the 
three most important committees of the 
House. He was a member of the judiciary 
general committee during his four terms of 
ofiice. Tn the session of 1895 he was the 
Democratic caucus nominee for speaker of 
the House. In 1896 and also in 1898, he re- 
ceived the nomination for Congress from 
Cohunbia Comity, but at the congressional 
conference, composed of four counties, he was 
defeated for the district nomination on the 
claim that his count}- was not then entitled 
to the nomination. 

Mr. Fritz is a good speaker and he carried 
into public life the same indomitable will, 
and honesty and industrv thai has character- 
ized him in private life. .\s a member of 
the Pennsylvania Legislature, he has made 
a reputation that few have equaled. During 
the session of 1887, on a bill to "equalize tax- 
ation," ^Tr. Fritz made a length}- speech, frtim 



wliich we quote the following: "Mr. Speak- 
er, the equalization of ta.xation l)etweeii all 
classes of persons and all classes of property is 
a sul)ject worthy of the consiileration of this 
House. Session after session of the Legisla- 
ture, petitions and memorials have been pre- 
sented from all ])arts of the state, and per- 
haps more requests have been made by the 
people of this Commonwealth for a change in 
our system of taxation than for any other ob- 
ject. The farmers and real estate owners in 
my section of the state are almost unani- 
mously in favor of some measure that will 
more equally divide the burdens of taxation. 
1 therefore ask the indulgence of the House 
for a few minutes on this question. While 
it will be admitted that it is imj^ossible to 
make an exact equalization of taxes upon 
persons and property, no one will den}- that 
there should be a more ecpial di\ision than 
our present tax laws give us. 

"There is no subject before the Legislature 
that more directly and deeply interests tlie 
people than taxation. It cannot be denied 
that great inequalities exist. The l:)urden of 
local taxation for count}-, school, poor and 
road purposes falls almost entirely upon real 
estate. Unequal taxation and other discrim- 
inations, have greatly dejireciated the value of 
farm land and real estate in general in this 
Commonwealth. I have heard it said that 
if we do not exempt certain classes of per- 
sonal prf)]ierty and certain industries from 
taxation that they would be driven out of 
the state — I might say out of existence. But 
there is another class of taxpayers that these 
burdens fall hea\il\- u])on — more heasily than 
any other in the state, I mean the farmers and 
real estate owners. According to the Con- 
stitution of the state "all taxes shall be uni- 
form on the same class of subjects." The 
burdens of taxation should be equalized on 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



373 



all classes of persons and all classes of prop- 
erty. The high and low, the rich and poor, 
should he ta.xed in jirc)])ortion to the valua- 
tion of their property. 

"The capital of the farmer and real estate 
owner is taxed foin^ or rt\e times as much 
as the capital of corporations. This is cer- 
tainly an unwarrantahle and unjust discrimi- 
nation, oppressive to real estate, and con- 
trary to the spirit of the Constitution and na- 
tural equity. It should seem, if any distinc- 
tion were made, it would he in favor of 
that form of capital that is most productive — 
in favor of-the hard working', lahoring- classes 
of this Commonwealth. But all that we ask 
is that there should he an equalization, as near 
as may be, of the burdens imposed on each 
form of propert}-. The farm lands and real 
estate in general are suffermg to-day from 
the onerous burdens of taxation, and the cry 
for its relief comes to us from a class in the 
conmnmity whose appeals should be carefully 
considered — the owners of homes and the til- 
lers of the soil. The irregulaiity is too great 
against the majority of tax-payers of this 
Commonwealth — the farmers and laborers — 
and a change must come sooner or later. 

"Those who ha\e made the subject a study 
are almost unanimous in the opinion that 
corporate and personal property has not and 
does not bear a fair share of the burdens of 
taxation. It is therefore our duty as rep- 
resentatives of the jieople of this great Com- 
monwealth, to give heed to the demand made 
by the great majority of citizens of this state 
— the largest class of property owners. They 
have been knocking at the doors of this Leg- 
islature, with petitions and memorials ever 
since the session opened, and they are still 
\\;iiting to be heard on this c[uestion — hoping 
and expecting that some relief, at least, will be 
given them. Kvcrv unbiased student of our 



financial policy will admit that there is an un- 
fair division of our taxes at the present time. 
This inc(|uality is apparent to all. Now, sir, 
knowing these facts, is it not our duty as 
legislators to place upon the statute books 
some law which will make a more equal divi- 
sion of these l)urdens? 

"The farm and the workshops should bear 
their share of the public burden; so should the 
corporations, the bonds, the stocks and other 
moneyed ca])ital and personal property of the 
state. The i:)ractical operation of our pres- 
ent law is that the corporations and personal 
property ]Kiy but a small portion of our taxes, 
which adds to the burdens on real estate, 
while the latter is taxed without regard to 
the actual interest of the owner in it. This 
presents a proper subject for action, ruid the 
suggestion that real and personal property 
should be placed upon an equal footing, for all 
purposes of taxation, is worthy of most seri- 
ous consideration. 

"Why, sir, Mr. Speaker, the farmers, the 
mechanics, the laborers, who own small 
homes, and all other classes who have the 
bulk of their money invested in real estate 
and who constitute more than four-fifths of 
the citizens of this Commonwealth, are ask- 
ing us to pass some law in reference to mak- 
ing a more equal division of these burdens. 
It cannot be denied that money owners do 
not pay one-fourth as much in proportion to 
the amount of propert\- or income as the own- 
ers of real estate, which, in the present as in 
the past, bears the heavy burdens of munici- 
pal taxation. The i)roperty of a corporation 
is no more sacred than a farm or the small 
home of a laborer. Both are property and 
are protected by the laws which surround 
them. Should not each bear its share of the 
burdens of the state and local taxation in 
proportion to their value and income? Shall 



374 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



\vc tlii"L)\\ aside ami refuse lo listen to the re- 
quests of three-fourths of the lax-payers of 
this state? It is our duty as representatives 
of the people, in passing laws, to treat all 
classes alike. The corporations, the farmer, 
the mechanic, the laborer, and all t)ther classes 
of citizens should lie put on an e<|ual footing. 
Sliall we throw the arms of protection aroinid 
the corporations and the wealthy moneyed 
men, who constitute only a small portion of 
the citizens, and not heed to the wishes of all 
other classes? It is our duty to pass laws, 
not for one particular class of men, but in 
the interests of the whole people. Cienerally 
the corporations and other jiersonal property 
make an annual net return of from five to 
twenty per cent. The farm and other real 
estate in Pennsylvania, after deducting insur- 
ance, taxes, impro\emenls, rejiairs and hired 
labor incident to managing the same, does not 
yield a net return of more than two and one- 
half per cent, upon the amount invested. 

"Now, Mr. Speaker. n(.) one will deny that 
great inecpialities exist and that some change 
should be made in our system of taxation, 
so that the burdens upon real estate will be 
somewhat removetl. If the corporations and 
other personal ])ropert}- are ])aying at the 
present time one-foiu-th or one-lifth as much 
tax as the real estate, according to the valu- 
ation of each class of property, there should 
be no objections to the |iassage of a law 
that will make a more ecjual division. If 
the real estate is paying four or five dollars 
tax to every dollar paid Ijy corporations and 
other personal property, and the valuation of 
the one class is about equal to the other, is 
it reasonable to object to a change in the 
system of taxation? \\''hy,' sir, some of our 
corporations are almost entirely free from 
taxation, while their net income is from two 
to ten times as great as the income deri\ed 



from real estate. Is it any wonder that re;d 
estate has been dejjreciating in value, and 
that tlie owners thereof are pressed down with 
the burdens of overtaxation and other dis- 
criminations? Where one class of projierty 
is compelled to not only bear its own burdens, 
but the burdens of all other classes, is it any 
wonder that there is a great depreciatitm in 
value? 

"All classes of property should pay, as near 
as may be, its share of the taxes for all jiur- 
poses of this Commonwealth: or, at least, our 
present system of taxation should be changed 
so that there will be, as near as possible, an 
equal division according to the income or 
value of the respective properties. 

"i am not here to defend any particular 
class of property or persons, but I wish to 
treat all alike. When 1 see and know that 
there are unreasonable discriminations against 
certain classes, I feel it my duty to advocate 
some measure that will have a tendency to- 
\vard removing the objectional)le features 
from our present ta.x laws." 

The following is an extract of a speech de- 
livered by Mr. Fritz in the House of Repre- 
sentati\es in 1H95, on the "Superior Court" 
Bill: 

"Mr. .Speaker, this is one of the most im- 
])ort;uit bills which has been before the Legis- 
lature for consideration during this session. 
Great changes' are proposed in the judicial 
system of this state, which should be care- 
fully considered bv every member of this 
House before the final vote is taken. The 
future rights of this great Commonwealth are 
at stake. The rights of property are in- 
\'olved. In taking this matter into consid- 
eration various cjuestions arise. Will this 
change be for the best interests of the people 
of this state? Has the Supreme Court be- 
come so overburdened with work that it de- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



375 



mands relief from tlie present Legislature? If 
relief is necessary, is this the best method to 
obtain it? Will the proposed court meet the 
requirements of the suitors for which it is 
intended? Will it not be cumbersome, dila- 
tory, expensive and not satisfactory? 

"This bill provides that a court of interme- 
diate appeals shall be established, to be called 
the Superior Court, to be composed of judges 
learned in the law, whose terms of office shall 
be ten years. This court of appeals shall be 
a new Supreme Court. A Sui)reme Court 
for certain cases where the value of the real 
or personal propert\', or the amount of money 
in controversy, in any single action or claim 
is not greater than one-thousand dollars. If 
this bill should pass we would then have two 
Supreme Courts. Two courts whose deci- 
sions are intended to he final. The one for 
the poor suitors of this Conunonwealth, which 
will be much less perfect and inferior to our 
present Supreme Court. Mr. Woodward, a 
judge of the Supreme Court of this state, in 
referring to this question said: T do not 
want to say to the poor man who has a five- 
hundred dollar law suit that he is not to have 
just as good a chance of litigation as the rich 
corporation and the rich millionaires among 
us. I do not want to include that in the law. 
It is ungracious. There is nothing in me that 
does not instinctively rebel against such sug- 
gestion.' The first cjuestion which we should 
ask ourselves is, are the people demanding a 
new court? Do they want it? Is it neces- 
sary that they should have it? Since this bill 
has been on the calendar I have been inquir- 
ing as to whether or not it is necessary, and 
whether it is the proper measure to relieve 
the Supreme Court, and I ha\-e found very 
few, not e\en among the judges themselves, 
who think it is necessary and who favor its 
passage. It would be c\i)ensi\-e and would 



not give the relief for which it was intended. 
It is a bill, which if it becomes a law will 
give a few men of this Commonwerdth fat 
positions, which with the expenses of putting 
in operation the new court will take annually 
from the pockets of the ])eople alx)ut one 
hundred thousand dollars. 1 ha\e been in- 
formed that the i)reseut judges of the Su- 
preme Court are not in favor of a law of this 
kind. Some of the greatest legal minds 
which this state has produced ha\e been op- 
posed to an intermediate court. They be- 
lieved and advocated the principles of our 
present system, one of original jurisdiction, 
such as we ha\e in every county in the state 
at the ])resent time, and one of last resort 
whose decisions are final — known as the Su- 
preme Court. Chief Justice Ciibson. than 
whom there h;is been none more distin- 
guished, declared that our system of courts in 
Pennsylvania are the best in the world, and 
that the principles which it contains can be 
used and carried forward for centuries as the 
most simple and easy method of estaljlishing 
justice and protecting the rights of the peo- 
ple. Some of the greatest and best legal 
lights of the state are opposed to the provis- 
ions of this bill. A large numljer of able law- 
yers of this state are now candidates for a 
seat upon the bench of this superior court. 
Thev with their friends have created a strong 
sentiment among the legislators in favor of 
this l)ill. But the peoj^le of this state are not 
asking for it, and they are, as far as can be 
learned, very much opposed to it. This court 
would be expensive and useless and would not 
relieve the Sujireme Court, for which it is 
intended. It would be injurious to the best 
interests of the people of this Commonwealth, 
and, as a distinguished jurist once said, would 
be a 'court of delay." It would be against 
a prompt adnu'nistration of justice. It has 



:176 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



been said that this intermediate court is nec- 
essary for the relief of the judges of tlie Su- 
preme Court. 'I'his was the talk twenty years 
ago when the Constitution of this state was 
adopted, — when the able men of that conven- 
tion decided against an intermediate court. 
It was s])okcn nf fifty, seventy and one hun- 
dred years ago. It was tried under the name 
of a circuit court and failed. It was estab- 
lished in the early history of this state and 
abolished, and again was re-established and 
abolished. Other states look upon Pennsyl- 
vania as having a good judicial system. A 
system w liich stands entrenched in the public 
confidence. It has been handed down to us 
by our forefathers, as the best judicial sys- 
tem which has yet been dex'ised by man. 
It has stood the test of a century. Shall we 
now begin to tear it to ])ieces and try sunie 
new methiid wliirli will lie unpojiular with 
the people, dilatory, and \ery expensive? It 
has Ijeen the experience where systems simi- 
lar to the one proposed by this liill prevails, 
that after the cases ha\e been tried by a 
court of original jurisdiction and have gone 
to an intermediate court, that \ery few cases 
stop there. The parties interested are not sat- 
isfied until the court of last resort, or the 
Supreme Court, has j)ronounced the final de- 
cree. This new court is intended to be final 
for all cases of less value thrui one-tiiousand 
ilollars, \et under its ])ro\isions any good law- 
yer could carry any case to the Supreme 
Court, no difference what the suiu may be 
which is invohed. I'hus you will see that it is a 
bad law for the poor man who is determined 
that the Supreme Court should decide his 
case. He must first have the case decided 
by the intermediate court and after the long 
delay and expense he is com])elled to carry 
it up to the Sujireme Court. Is it right that 
we should pass a law which will discriminate 



against the interests of the poor classes of 

people of this Commonwealth? All the classes 
should be on an equal footing. The small 
case should be properly decided and carefully 
considered as well as the large. The five hun- 
dred dollar case of the poor man ma\' in\dl\e 
principles which if [jroperly decided will do 
more good than the five thou.sand dollar case 
of the millionaire, it is not just and right that 
we should limit the cases by a monev stand- 
ard. The most important jirincijdes may be 
involved in the case in which the money value 
is small. Any amount the Legislature may 
fix in the bill is bad. 

"Poverty has disadvantages enough without 
marking it in the laws of the state. Under 
the provisions of this bill a poor man with ;i 
small case would be unworthy to go to the 
.Supreme Court. No difTerence how impor- 
tant the princi|)lcs to be deci(le<l, the court 
of final resort is ])re\-ented from giving its 
opinion, because the money standard, as pro- 
\-itled in this bill, declares it to be beneath 
its dignity and not worth}- of a hearing. I be- 
lieve, sir, that some small cases have as good 
right to go to the Supreme Court as a case 
involving fifty thousand or more. I do not 
believe it is just or right for the Legislature 
to pass a law which will discriminate between 
the rich and poor. The ])oor man's case may 
be more precious and \aluable to him than 
the five million dollar case m,'i\ be to tlie niil- 
lionaire. 

"Every man who wants to take a case from 
the court of origin.al jurisdiction to the high- 
est judicial tribunal of the state should ha\e 
the right, and if we ])ass a law to deprive 
him of this right we are taking away from 
him that personal ])ri\'ilege which the found- 
ers of this great governmeiU intended that all 
should enjoy. The high and low. the rich and 
poor, should all be treated alike. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



377 



"Altliough it is intended 1jy the projectors 
of this new court that it siiall lie final, yet 
every case which may he taken from the lower 
courts to the intermediate court can he car- 
ried from the intermediate court to the Su- 
preme Court, no difference how small the 
case or what amount may he involved. This 
tan he hrought around if so desired hy the 
parties, hy any lawyer who handles his case 
carefully. I am well satisfied that the people 
of this great Commonwealth do not want this 
new court. They are opposed to it. I be- 
lieve that if a vote was taken to-da\" ui)on this 
i|uestion b}' the people of this state that nine- 
cenths would be found to he against it. One 
of the great objections to this law will lie the 
delay which it will cause to suitors. .\ ])oor 
man may ha\e everything he owns involved 
in a law suit. The case is tried in the common 
pleas and one of tlie ])arties is not satisfied 
with the decision and an appeal is taken to 
the intermediate court and it is there delayed 
a year, or perhaps two, and the case is de- 
cided, but the party who loses is determined 
to have his case tried by the highest judicial 
tribunal and it is carried up, and after the 
delay of a year or more a final opinion is given 
and the poor suitor, whether he gains or loses, 
has paid out by way of lawyer fees and ex- 
penses as much or more than is involved in 
the case. This bill also provides that when 
an appeal is taken to an intermediate court 
a bond must be given, conditioned to pay the 
costs of the ajipeal, not only to the interme- 
diate court but to the Sujirciue Court. The 
suitor must prepare himself at once to go 
through two courts, above the court of orig- 
inal jurisdiction, doubling the expense and 
doul)ling the delay. This great expense and 
delay will generally ha\e to be borne Ijv a 
class of citizens of this Commonwealth who 
are the least able to bear the burden. It will 



be a discrimination against the humble, law- 
abiding citizen, the lahcjrer, the farmer, the 
mechanic and others who have small incomes 
and limited means, and who ha\e lieen forced 
into court in order to secure certain rights to 
which they believe they are ju.stly entitled. 

"Under our present system any lawx'cr can 
draw up his ])reci])e for a writ of error in the 
Supreme Com-t. and there is not much delay, 
unless one of the parties has taken and al- 
lowed the case to go into court for the ]iur- 
pose of delay. The only reason which has 
been gi\en or which can lie given in faxor 
of this bill is that the Supreme Court is be- 
hind, and that it has a vast amount of work 
on hand. This has always been the case and 
always will he so long as cases are taken and 
held in court for the jiurpose of delay. Every 
lawyer of this Mouse knows that a list of cases 
that is behind, whether in the Sujireme Court 
or in the lower courts, has a tendency to in- 
crease its length. It is said that our judges 
of the courts of common pleas, as well as the 
judges of the Supreme Court, are oxer- 
worked, but there is no evidence of this ex- 
cept that there is a long list of untried cases. 
\\'hat is the present cause of this long list 
and of this delax-?' W'liy. sir, I know it to be 
a fact that to-dav there are thousands of cases 
in the lower courts in this state wdiich are 
intentionall}' delayed b_v the |)arties. It is 
the same in the Supreme Court. Cases are 
taken into all courts for the purpose of delay. 
Either one jiarty or the other has some ex- 
cuse which, under the present rules of the 
court, entitle them to a continuance, and in 
this manner the cases are sometimes delayed 
for years. It is the fault of the parties and 
the attorneys which cause this great delay and 
long list of cases now before the Su]irenie 
Court, as well as the common pleas, and then 
we hear the ci^v of "overburdened courts" and 



378 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



'worn-out juclo^es.' Let all of our courts 

adopt more strict rules, which will stoj) the 
intentional delay, and the lists will become 
■small. The courts will then not he over- 
burdened with business, because a lar^e 
number of cases which now are taken into 
court for delay would be settled by the par- 
tics. Our courts would then not be over- 
])urdened and no one would think of estab- 
lishins" a new court." 




MAUSER c^ BRO. This well known 
lir'.n of carriaj^e-makers at McEwens- 
ville. Xorthumberland County, Pa., 
is the successor to the old-established business 
conducted bv William Hood, whose reputa- 
tion for handiwork was knuwu throughout 
this state. 

Nicholas Mauser, the paternal great-grand- 
father, was born, as nearly as can be ascer- 
tained, about the middle of the last century, 
and was a native of Germany: inuuigrating to 
this country in 1779, he settled in what is now 
known as Montour Comity, but was then 
known as Northumberland Comity. Nicholas 
Mauser settled the farm where Aaron Mauser 
now lives, clearing it from the forest, and 
building a log-house, which is still kept as a 
relic of past ])ioneer days. He served in the 
Revolutionary War, and when he died he was 
buried in the Ridgevillc cluu'cliyard, Cooper 
township. He had one son, Christian; and 
two daughters, ^Irs. 1 )earfenbauclier, and 
Mrs. Kocher. 

The old records gi\c Christian Mauser's 
birth as occurring March 8, 1779, and he died 
May 27, 1866. He married Catherine Sickler, 
who was born April 21, 1786, and died De- 
cember 20, 1862. They li\cd on the old home- 
stead, where Mr. Mauser followed farinin"-. 



Their children were as follows: Joseph, who 
married E\(lia I'rey; I'.etsey, the wife of John 
Kiumm; Barbara, the wife of Michael Work- 
man; John, who married Lydia Workman; 
.Michael, who married Catherine Workman; 
Jacob, who married Catherine Krunini; Wil- 
liam, who married Maria Frey; ^ilaria, who 
married .Michael Workman; Fanny, who 
married riiomas Cole: Molly, the wife of 
Edmund White; Catherine, the wife of Thom- 
as Cole. 

Our subject's father, ^Michael Mauser, was 
born October 15, 181 7, and died October 15, 
1854. He learned the caipenter's trade, but 
followed farming on part of the old home- 
stead, until his life ended at the early age of 
thirty-seven years. His wife was a daughter 
of Henry and Annie (Krmiini) \\'orkman. 
Mr. Workman was born April 2, 1783, and 
died December 6, 1867. His wife was born 
December 11, 1785, and died November 16, 
1859. Their children were: Gideon; Jacob; 
Joseph; Esther; Lydia; Reuben; Catherine; 
Eliza; Hilary; and Henry. 

Our subject's father was the parent of five 
children: Mary, who married Lewis Bayler; 
.Mem and Cain, our subjects: Emanuel, who 
married Addie WDlf; Michael, who married 
Sarah E. Wesncr. Mrs. Mauser was married 
a second time to .Vntliony Faust of Washing- 
ton\ille, ]'a., and they ha\e one child, Peter, 
who married Annie Patterson, and thev reside 
in Derry township. 

.Mem Mauser, our subject, and senior mem- 
ber of the tirni, was born July 20, 1846, on 
the old homestead in Montour Countv. His 
early life was devoted to education and farm- 
ing, and as his father died at an early age, 
our subject started at seventeen years as an 
apprentice in McEwensville, learning the 
wood-work of carriage building under the 
excellent instruction of \\'illiam Hood and 




\ViLLly\i\I KASK WEST. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



381 



Ijecoming very proficient. -After a few }ears 
he took charge of the business, and in 1870 
succeeded Mr. Hood, and with the exception 
of a few months spent in the West, he lias 
carried on tlie lousiness e\'er since. In 1875 
lie took in his brother, Cain, as partner, and 
llie firm name lias since l)een A. Mauser & 
Bro. Alem ^Mauser married Hannali AI. 
Hood, a niece of William Hood, and they have 
been blessed with two children : Sarah H., the 
wife of P. Detrich, a teacher in the schools 
at Danville, Pa.: and Harry S., a student. 
Mr. Mauser is a stanch Democrat, and has 
been school director for the past twenty-four 
}'ears. He is a member of the borough coun- 
cil: also a member of the Reformed Church. 

When Air. Hood first started the business 
in 1836, it occupied a small building, which 
now stands back of the present one: but as 
the business increased he built the store which 
the successors, A. Mauser & Bro., now occu- 
py. He also built a large blacksmith-shop, 
having four forges and employing upwards of 
thirt\' men. He had orders fronr the East, 
South, and W^est, for fine carriages, and the 
])resent firm now makes top-buggies, Pitts- 
burg Rockaways, and some heavy work — 
spring wagons and busses : altogether, having 
an output of about one thousand five hun- 
dred vehicles a year. 

Cain Mauser, the junior member of the 
lirm, was born on the old homestead August 
14, 1849, and attended the public schools and 
the Orangeville Acadeni}-. While a young 
man, he learned the harness-making trade in 
Bloomsburg, but wishing to see a little of the 
world, he accordingly set out, and spent sev- 
eral years in the West. Returning, he clerked 
in a general store for a short time, next learn- 
ing to paint and trim carriages. In 1875 he 
became a member of the firm with his brother. 
He married Ennna C. Wesner, a daughter of 



Henry Wesner of McEwens\ille. Pa. Mr. 
Mauser is a member of the Lutheran Church 
and a memlier of the I. O. O. F. He also has 
been a member of the school council for sev- 
enteen years. 

This reliable firm has made a reputation 
which is known throughout the state, and too 
much canncjt be said in praise of these broth- 
ers, for, in all of their dealings, honesty and 
uprightness stand out prominently, as their 
large patronage goes to prove. 



Y^/ lEElAM KASE W'EST, whose 
V^ V^ portrait we present oii the preced- 
ing page, has won distinction in 
the legal profession and is one of the leading 
attorneys of Danville. Montour County, Pa, 
He was born in Danville March 8, i860, and 
is a son of George Witeston West,' and grand- 
son of William West. 

The paternal great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject was Thomas West, who was of English- 
German descent and was born in Schoharie 
County, X. Y. He built a log house near 
his father's homestead and there engaged in 
tilling the soil for many years. Upon the 
outbreak of the Revolutionary W'av he left 
a happy home and family to battle for in- 
dependence. Pie had the misfortune to be 
taken prisoner by the English forces, but af- 
ter a short term of imprisonment effected his 
escape and organized a company, of which 
he was captain, antl rendered valual:)le aid in 
the American cause, in 1808, or soon after, 
he and his children removed to Ararat, Sus- 
quehanna County, Pa., where he took up land 
and lived the remainder of his life. He died 
at the age of sixty years, and his wife at- 
tained the advanced age of eighty years. The 
following issue resulted from their union: 



382 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Thomas: Hannah; Jones: Benjamin; W'illiam; 
Xatlianicl: I'crniclia; and liunico. 

\\ illiani West. yraniUalhcr nf our snlijoct, 
was l)orn near Schenectady, Schoharie Coun- 
ty, N. Y., and learned tiie trade of a black- 
smith. After mo\ing to Sus(|nehanna Coun- 
ty with his ])arents he cleared a farm and cn- 
t^aged in farming;. He later settled at Mason- 
\ille Delaware County, X. Y.. where he con- 
tinued at his trade as hlacksinith until his 
death at the age of seventy-five vears. He 
married Eliza Rogers, a daughter of Ho1:)ert 
Kogcrs, who was for nianv years a sea cap- 
tain, hut, tiring of that life and wishing to 
establish an inland home, bought a farm in 
Delaware County, N. Y.: he l:)ecame an agri- 
cultin-ist, but later ])uill a large boat and with 
his family sailed down the ri\er to Chesa- 
])eake Bay where he lived the remainder of 
his life. Mr. We.st and his wife became the 
parents of the follow ing children : George 
\Vileston and Hobert Rogers. Mrs. Eliza 
Rogers West died at the early age of twenty- 
seven years, and William West was united in 
marriage to Hannah l^emenshaw. and tlie\ 
reared tliree cliildren, Milo, I'hilo, and Jabez. 

George Wileston West the father of our 
subject, began life on his own account at the 
age of thirteen years with a farmer of Mount 
Ararat, Pa., and by the practice of strict econ- 
omy saved enough from his scantv wages to 
enable In'ni to attend school at the age of 
nineteen years, entering Birch .\cademy. He 
remained there for one term after which he 
took a course in the Wyoming Academy, 
being one of the first students of that insti- 
tution, and there studied surveying. He then 
taught school for si.x terms in what was then 
Columbia County, now Montour. In 1845 
he was appointed county surveyor and each 
successive year since he has been elected to 
that office. He is considered as an authority 



on lines and boundaries in this section of the 
state, his work not being confined to Mon- 
tour County, as he is often called to different 
counties in .\orthern and Central Pennsyl- 
vania, lie also served for twenty-four years 
as count}' commissioner's clerk. He is now 
])ast eighty years of age, walks straight as 
an arrow, and, being large of stature, is of 
connnanding ai)pcarance. Mr. West is a 
prominent ligure throughout his section and 
is held in high esteem by a large circle of 
friends. 1 le owns a fine modern home at Xo. 
212 Pine street where he has resided for a 
munber of years and enjoxs the best of health. 
In 1854 he was united in matrimonial bonds 
with Catherine A. Kase a daughter of John 
Kase of Elysburg, Pa., and they reared eight 
children, namely: Charles \\"., a carpenter 
and ])ainter of Dan\illc: Eleanore Eliza, tlie 
wife of Oliver Dielil of Marionville, Pa.; Will- 
iam Kase, the subject (jf this review; George 
M., the manager of the gas and electric light 
])lant of Danville; Louise M., who is at home 
with her parents; Isaac Dewitt, whose bio- 
graphical sketcli ap|)ears elsewhere in this 
book; and Catherine, who died in childhood. 
William Kase West oljtained his education 
in the public schools of Danville and at the 
Bloomsburg State Xormal School, after w liich 
he assisted his father in surveying for some 
time, devoting his spare moments to study 
and the completion of his educalit)u. He 
then engaged in surxeying in the West for 
two years, and upon returning home read law 
with Grier t*t Hinckley, being admitted to the 
bar in iNS'i. lie has since practiced in Dan- 
ville, and has been successful, as the large 
number of cases won testify. He has a very 
large clientage and is \-ery popular. Few- 
men of his age hold so prominent a position 
in the public estimation, and from present 
indications it is safe to predict a brilliant fu- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



383 



ture for him and class him among the lead- 
ing- men of the connty. I'Toni 1SS7 to 189-' 
he served as district attorney and ])ro\ed that 
he was the right man in the right place. 

In 1891 Mr. West was nnited in the holy 
bonds of wedlock with Ella Patterson, a 
d.anghter of John C. Patterson of Danville, 
and they are the prond parents of three child- 
ren, as follows: John Patterson, who was 
horn March 16, 1892; Mary Lonise, born 
October 12, 1893; and William K., whose 
birth occurred October 16, 1895. Our sub- 
ject is a member and past master of Dan- 
ville Lodge, No. 224, F. & A. M.; past high 
priest of Danville Chapter, No. 239, H. R. A. ; 
eminent commander Calvary Commandery, 
No. T,J, K. T. : and an officer in Bloomsburg 
Lodge No. 436, B. P. O. E. 



M 



Iv. ANSON A. LAY, a rising young 
dentist of Shamokin. with abundant 
promise of a brilliant future in his 
profession and also in the literar}- field, is a 
son of Smith W. and Martha (Earl) Lay, and 
was born near Seneca Falls, N. Y., in 1869. 

The ancestors of our subject were of Eng- 
lish origin and may easily be traced back 
over a hundred years, and have all been na- 
tives of New Y'ork State. Nathaniel Lay, 
great-grandfather of our subject, was nnited 
in marriage with a Miss Minta, who was a 
native of Denmark. 

Both he and his son, David Lay, our sul)- 
ject's grandfather, rendered distinguished 
service in the Revolutionaiy War and fought 
bravely throughout that struggle. 

Smith W. Lay, father of our subject, was 
a talented man and a machinist by trade. Our 
subject received his primary education in the 
common school of his native place, after 
which he graduated with honors at the Se- 



neca Falls, N. Y., High School. He then 
began the study of medicine under a pre- 
ceptor, which study he pursued diligently for 
about two years, after which he took a course 
of lectures at the Jefferson Medical College 
of Philadelphia. In 1890 he entered the Penn- 
sylvania College of Dental Surgery, and af- 
ter completing his studies there he imme- 
diately began the practice of his profession, 
which he continued to follow with much suc- 
cess in the following cities: Waterloo, N. Y.; 
Baltimore, Md.: W'ilkesbarre, Pa.; and 
Cleveland, Ohio: after which, in 1895. he 
located at Shamokin, where he has splendid 
facilities and a large field for dental work. 

He at once proceeded to build up and ex- 
tend his practice, and during the short time 
he has been located in Shamokin he has de- 
veloped a practice second to none • in the 
town. 

Aside from the dental parlors in Shamokin, 
of which he is sole proprietor. Dr, Lay is in- 
terested in ofifices at Reading, Pa., Wilkes- 
barre. Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, and Baltimore, 
Md. 

Dr. Lav was innted in the holy bonds of 
wedlock with Inez Haley, a most charnnng 
and accomplished lady, and is the father of 
one son, Victor. Our subject is well versed 
in all the intricacies and details of the art 
of dentistry and enjoys the confidence and 
good will of a very desirable class of patrons. 
He is a thorough gentleman, with pleasant, 
agreeable manners, and bids fair to become 
a \erv prominent citizen of Shamokin. 



(^c 



EORGE W. SEIBERT enjoys the 
Vi^X- distinction of being a skilled me- 
chanic, but is now, practically, a retired 
farmer of Delaware township, Northumber- 
land County, Pa. He was born at Milton, 



384 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Pa., April 14. 1828. and is the son of John 
and Maggie (Truckermiller) Seibert. 

Our subject boasts of being the descendant 
of good, old Pennsylvania Germans, who 
were noted for their industrious qualities and 
upright dealings with all men. His grand- 
father settled at Buffalo Valley, where he lived 
the quiet, unostentatious life of a farmer. 
Both he and his good wife lived to old age, 
he being eighty years old at the time of his 
death. They reared a most remarkable family 
of chiklren, of whom se\'en li\'ed to be o\'er 
sixty years of age: four over ninety, and three 
nearly reached the century mark; below are 
their respective names and ages: Andrew, 
ninety-one years; John, our subject's father, 
sixty-six years; Jose|)li. w ho was ushered into 
life with the present century, was born Janu- 
ary 1, 1800, and remained single all of his 
ninety-six years; Rebecca, also single, sixty- 
one years; Catherine ( Rothrotli), who died at 
the age of ninety-six; Sarah, who married Mr. 
Hammer and lived to the extreme old age of 
ninet\-ninc; and lastly, Susan, whose hus- 
band's name was Rothrotli, and who died at 
seventy-seven. Our subject has many good 
reasons why he should l)e extremely i)roud of 
having such a record of long life among liis 
ancestry. 

John Seibert, our subject's father, was born 
in Montgomery County, Pa., and early in life 
settled at Milton, where he assisted in Imild- 
ing many of the mills in that vicinity, being a 
millwright by trade. He had the reputation 
of being the most skilleil man to dress mill- 
stones in that part of the state. So proficient 
was he that his services were sought far and 
near. \\'orking at his trade so unceasingly, 
and inhaling so much dust, settled a throat 
trouble on him which in time became a serious 
affliction and increased with age, finally caus- 
ing his death at the age of sixty-six years. 



He was a strong believer in the Lutheran 

Church. In his ])olitical opinions he was a sup- 
porter of the Whig party. From Milton he 
removed to Delaware township to the farm 
where J. Lusher now resides. He cleared 
about fifty acres of the land and Ijuilt the sub- 
stantial house and barns now there. His wife 
was Maggie, daughter of Solomon Trucker- 
miller. She died at the age of seventy-si.\ 
years, leaving eleven children, all grown, to 
mourn her demise, namely: Jacob, John. 
David, Joseph, George W., our subject, 
Charles, Polly, Julia, Sarah, and IMatilda. 

(■eorge W. Seibert obtained his education 
in the public schools, after which he learneil 
the mechanic's trade, which was almost a 
natural gift to him. He spent several years 
working at his trade as a journeyman, attain- 
ing a reputation for thorough and e.KCcllent 
work. .Ha\ing l)een saving and prudent, he 
had a considerable sum of money with which 
he purchased a home; this was one hundred 
acres of land which contained, at that time. 
onl\- a log building. He then set about to 
imjjrove this farm in every possible way and 
make a home worthy of the name. He built 
a large brick house,. planning and construct- 
ing it himself. Many i)et schemes of his were 
unfolded and used advantageously to himself 
in making his home attractive and con\cnicnt. 
lie also built large and connnodious barns, 
llis whole farm is now in a state of high 
cultivation and is one of the choicest grain 
farms in Delaware townshi]\ located near Mc- 
]{wensvil!e. lie was united in marriage to 
Ameli.'i .\., daughter of Jacob Stitzel, and four 
children were born to them. The eldest of 
these were twins; Charles, a prominent farm- 
er of I^imestoneville, and Jacob, who died, 
aged fourteen years; their third child, Han- 
nah, wedded Arthur Gauger of Delaware 
townsliip; while George W., the fourth child, 




JOHN L. WILLIAMS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



387 



married Carrie Kriner and now has charge of 
tlie home farm. 

Mr. Seibert is a worthy citizen, such as all 
good men love to honor. He has always 
taken an active interest in educational afTairs 
ha\ing- served in the capacity of school di- 
rector for eight years and has been overseer 
of the [joor for many years. In his political 
atfiliations Mr. Seibert is always found in the 
Democratic camp, ever loyal to the principles 
espoused i^y Jefferson and Jackson. Both he 
and his estimable wife are good Christian 
workers, Mrs. Seibert being a strong believer 
in the Reformed Church, and Mr. Seibert a 
member of the Lutheran Church. 



OHN L. WILLIAMS, who is well 
known among mine operators as a 
thoroughly equipped and very success- 
ful superintendent of coal mining, is one of 
Mount Carmel's most progressive and promi- 
nent citizens. He is a son of Thomas L. and 
Sarah (Lloyd) \\'illiams, and was born May 
4, 1840, in the County of Denbigh, North 
Wales. 

Our subject naturally took to mining, as 
his father was a miner. The father, Thomas 
Williams, was born in Wales about 1820, and 
immigrated to this country in 1871. He had 
followed mining since the early age of some- 
thing over eight years. He located in She- 
nandoah, Schuylkill County, where he fol- 
lowed mining in all its branches until about 
1895. He had had experience in Wales as an 
assistant foreman and in this region he served 
several years as fire-boss. To him and his 
wife were born three sons: John L. ; Thomas 
L., who was an outside-foreman for the Read- 
ing Company at the Maple Hill Colliery, 
where he died in 1896; and Daniel, who re- 
sides in Mount Carmel and is assistant out- 



side-foreman of the Richards Colliery, and has 
followed mining all his life. 

John L. W^illiams attended the common 
schools in and near his birthplace until, at the 
age of thirteen years, he entered the employ 
of the Great Western Railway, for which he 
worked four and a half years. Then, at the 
age of seventeen years, he took a position as 
a fireman with a coal company, with the in- 
tention of becoming a mechanic and engi- 
neer. He remained in the company's employ 
about ten years, working as a fireman, engi- 
neer, inspector of pumps and in various other 
positions, obtaining a complete knowledge of 
mining and mining machinery, which served 
him well in his subsequent career in the min- 
ing region of this state. Mr. \\'illiams came 
to the LTnited States in December, 1869, lo- 
cating at Shenandoah, a stranger, with will- 
ingness to work and thorough knowledge of 
mines and machinery as his only capital. At 
that time work in the mines was suspended 
and positions were scarce. Our subject ob- 
tained employment, however, sinking the In- 
dian Ridge shaft at Shenandoah and putting 
in all the pumps. When the mine was opened 
and operations began he was made assistant 
inside-foreman, which position he held for 
three years, when he was promoted to fore- 
man, the mine having been absorbed by the 
Reading Company, remaining foreman until 
1880. In that year Mr. Williams was ap- 
pointed superintendent of the Shenandoah 
district, comprising six collieries, serving as 
such for three years, when he was again pro- 
moted and made superintendent of all the 
collieries owned by the Reading Company 
north of Broad Mountain and from Trevorton 
to Mahanoy City. He visited the collieries 
and carefully inspected them and the manner 
in which they were worked, making reports 
which were declared complete in essential de- 



888 



BOOK OK lilOGRAPHIES. 



tails and very satisfactory. At the end of a 
year tlie district was divided into two di- 
\'isi()ns. tlie Shanmkin and tlie Slienandoali. 
and onr snbject was appointed snpcrintendont 
of tlic latter division, extending from Girard- 
ville to Maiianoy City and including 24 col- 
lieries. He remained superintendent of that 
division until 1892. when he resigned from the 
ser\ice of the Reading Company and, remov- 
ing to Mount Carme!, became superintendent 
for the Union Coal Company on May i, 1892, 
and is now with that company. He has the 
supervision f)f four collieries, the Hickory 
Kidge, Hickory Swamp of Shamokin. Pa., 
and the Pennsylvania and Richards at Mount 
Carmel. These collieries give enijjloyment to 
4,000 men and boys, and their supervision is 
a task which only a well-equipped and unu- 
sually capable man, such as Mr. \\'^illiams, 
could successfully undertake. ( )ur subject 
has been verv successful and is regarded as an 
exjjert in coal mining. He has won success 
by his ability and becau.se he possesses in 
great degree the perseverance which makes 
men successful. 

In July, 1866, Mr. Williams was united in 
marriage with Sarah E. Edwards, and to them 
have been born the following children : 
Thomas H., who for some time was an assist- 
ant to his father and is unusually capable as 
a business man, and has served as president 
of the council in Mount Carmel; John, a 
miner, who resides in Mount Carmel; Jennie, 
wife of Thomas Sanger of Mount Carmel, a 
draughtsman for the Mount Carmel Iron 
Company and a graduate of Girard College, 
Philadelphia; Harry L., a mechanic by occu- 
pation; and Edwin S., also a mechanic, who 
began at the bottom by serving a full appren- 
ticeship. In politics Mr. Williams is a Re- 
])ublican. We take pleasure in announcing 
that his portrait is shown on a preceding page. 




ARRY S. KNIGHT, who has been 
very successful in the practice of the 
legal profession in the town of 
Sunbury since May i, 1894, is a son of Fred 
11. and Annie (Schoc) Knight, and was born 
in Watsontown, Northumberland County, 
March 6, 1868. 

The family is of Welsh descent, and, upon 
coming to America during the colonial pe- 
riod, located on Long Island. Albert Knight, 
the great-grandfather of our subject, was born 
on Long Island and was a soldier in the co- 
lonial wars. His son, Richard Knight, our 
subject's grandfather, was also born there 
and when ele\'en years of age enlisted in the 
army during the Revolutionary War as 
drununer-boy, serving in that capacity 
throughout the struggle for liberty. He then 
moved to liarrisburg. Pa., when that now 
tlniving city was but a small village, and en- 
gaged in merchandising until the W'ar of 
1S12. He then organized a company and 
was mustered into service as captain anil 
served faithfully until the close of the war. 
He then removed to Liverpool, Perry County, 
where he operated packet boats on the Sus- 
([uchanna Canal until his death, Avhich oc- 
curred in 1848, aged si.xty-eight years. Re- 
ligiously he was a member of the Episcopal 
Church. He was the father of five children, 
two sons and three daughters, one of whom 
was Fred H., the father of our subject. 

Fred H. Knight was born in Liveri)ool, 
Perry County, Pa., Novend)er 22, 1838, and 
obtained his education in the public schools 
and in Millersburg State Normal School of 
which he is a graduate. Upon leaving school 
he taught for a short period, but in 1861 en- 
listed in Company G. 147th Reg., Pa. Vol. 
Inf., as a private and served through the en- 
tire war, acquitting himself with credit. From 
time to time he was promoted and was fin- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



allv ranked as major. He was attached to 
Sliernian's Army during the memorable 
March to the Sea and also participated in 
the following important engagements: Look- 
out Mountain; Chancellorsville; Chatta- 
nooga; Vickshurg; Siege of Atlanta; and 
was taken prisoner and incarcerated on Belle 
Lsle for a short time. After the close of 
the war, he located at Selinsgrove and in 1866 
nuned to Watsontown, where he has since 
resided and carried on a general merchandise 
store with good results. He is superintendent 
of the Watsontown Water Works, of which he 
is the chief stockholder. Religiously he is a 
member of the Lutheran Church, whilst in 
political views he is a stanch Republican and 
has held the office of chief burgess a number 
of times. Socially he is a member of Bryson 
Post, No. 225, G. A. R., of Watsontown. 
December 13, 1866, he was united in marriage 
to Amiie Schoc, and they became the parents 
of one son, Harry S. 

Harry S. Knight is a gentleman of scholar- 
ly attainments, being a graduate of Watson- 
town High School in 1884; he also took a 
three years' course in Wyoming Seminary 
and was graduated therefrom in the class of 

1888. He then engaged in newspaper work 
on the ^^'ilkesbarre Record until the fall of 

1889, when he took up the study of law under 
the direction of H. C. McCormick, who is at 
present an attorney of Williamsport, and was 
admitted to the bar of Lycoming County in 
the fall of 1891. He shortly afterwards 
formed a partnership with N. N. Edwards, 
Esq., and under the firm name, Edwards & 
Knight, practiced for one year, when on ac- 
count of poor health and failing eyesight he 
was obliged to give up active work. Having 
recovered sufificiently at the expiration of two 
years, on j\Iay i, 1894, he moved to Sunbury 
where he was admitted to the bar and im- 



mediately began practice. He has secured a 
large clientage and has pleaded cases in the 
Slate and United States courts with much 
success. He organized the board of trade 
soon after his arrival in Sunbury, and has 
been secretary of the board ever since. He is 
the leading spirit of the organization and has 
secured for the city many large enter|)rises, 
chief of which are the silk mills and knitting 
mill. On May i, 1897, he took Milton Loeb 
into partnership, the firm now being Knight 
& Loeb. 

June 16, 1896, Mr. Knight was joined in 
wedlock to Mary B. Martin of Williamsport, 
and they are the happy parents of one son, 
f>ederick H. Politically he is a Republican 
and takes an active interest in all aftairs of a 
])olitical nature. In religious attachments he 
is a member of the Episcopal Church and an 
active worker in the Sunday school. Socially 
he is a member of the James Cameron Camp, 
No. 60, S. of v., and Pa. Div. S. of R. 



JSAAC KINNEY KRICKBAUM LAU- 
BACH, who has been engaged exten- 
sively in farming and lumbering for 
many years, is one of the progressive business 
men of Benton township, Columbia County. 
He is a son of Peter and Susan Catherine 
(Krickbaum) Laubach, and was born in Ben- 
ton township October 28, 1849. 

He is a descendant of sturdy Hollanders, 
whose home was the native country of John 
G. Laubach, the great-great-grandfather of 
our subject, who immigrated to Philadelphia, 
Pa., as early as 1736 and lived there the re- 
mainder of his life. He was the progenitor of 
the following children: Susan; John Mich- 
ael; John; John Christian; Ann Mary; John 
Conrad, who died in infancy; John Conrad, 



390 



liOOK OV BIOC.RAPHIKS. 



second of that name; Anna Margaret; Cath- 
erine: Jolni George; \\'ill)cr,L;: and J^lizaheth. 
John Christian Laubach, the great-grand- 
father of our su1)ject, was born June 30, 1764, 
in the city of Pliiladelphia. and was the first 
to locate in Coluinljia County, settling there 
in ijgo. Three years later he moved to 
Sugarloaf township, took up a tract of four 
hun(h'ed acres of land on what is now known 
as Fritz 11 ill and followed farming until his 
death, on .March 15, 1825. He was united 
in marriage to Mary Frutchy, who was born 
Feljruary 3, 1773. and was called to her final 
rest July 8, 1823. They reared a large fam- 
ily of children, namely: Susan, who mar- 
ried John ]\roore, was the mother of eight 
children, and withstood the vicissitudes of for- 
tune for ninety-one years before succumbing 
to the ine\itai)le; George, who married Eliza- 
betli Coleman, a daughter of Benjamin Cole- 
man, was one of the cirly settlers of 
Sugarloaf township. l)ut diu'ing his later years 
resided in Michig;ui; Frederick, who took as 
his wife Marv T.arish. bv whom he had eigfht 
children; Peter, who died in childhood; Han- 
nah, who became the wife of Thomas Con- 
ner of Bloomsburg and had three sons and 
two daughters; Elizabeth, who was the wife of 
A\'illiam Cole and bore him nine children; 
Anna ]\fargaret, who married William Ikeler 
and died in Fishing Creek township; Polly, 
wife of John Ikeler, moved to Michigan; 
Catherine, who married John R. Davis, was 
tlie mother of nine children and resided in 
I'lcnton township, Columbia County; Chris- 
tian, w ho was united in marriage with Hannah 
Hetley and lived in Danville, Montour Coun- 
ty; and John, the grandfather of our subject. 
John Laubach followed tlie calling of a 
farmer all of his life in Sugarloaf township, 
and was a very prosperous man. In connec- 
tion with farming he carried on a distillery. 



He was joined in wedlock to Ann Kline, a 
daughter of Abraham Kline, Jr., and their 
union resulted in the following issue: Abra- 
ham, a consistent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, who died in the state of 
Washington; Rhoda Ann. who married J. H. 
Harrison and died January 29, 1884, in Union 
township, Luzerne County; Isaac, who mar- 
ried Sarah Ash, a daughter of Christian Ash, 
was a soldier of the Civil ^^'a^, serving 
for three years, — at the expiration of that 
time he enlisted for three more years, but 
the war came to a termination shortly after, — 
At present he is conducting a farm and dairy 
in Southeastern Iowa; Peter, our subject's 
father: (ieorge, who married Charlotte Mc- 
llcnry, a daughter of Henry McHenry, Jr., 
and ser\ed for one year in the 199th Reg., 
I'a. Vo]. Inf., receiving an honorable dis- 
charge; Christian, united in marriage to Sally 
Ann Pennington, a daughter of Jonathan C. 
I'ennington; John Frutchy. whose wife was 
Susan Tailor, died October 24. 1863; Dan- 
iel .S.. who married Elizabeth Young andnow 
resides in Bloomsburg; David Kline, who 
married Mary Pennington, served in the 
199th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf.; and Frederick, 
who married Lucy Harrison, a daughter of 
Rev. M. E. Harrison, enlisted in the army 
during the Civil War for three years' service 
and again for a similar period, but received his 
discharge before his time expired. — his death 
occurred October 29. 1881. 

Peter Laubach was born April 15. i82t, in 
Sugarloaf township, on the old Laubach 
homestead. At the age of eight years he went 
with his parents to Benton township, where 
he li\ed on the old John Laubach property. 
After attaining his majoritv he conchicted a 
store in Benton for about nine months, and 
in 1847 lis purchased 100 acres of land in that 
townshii). He improved it greatly and culti- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



391 



vated it with good results for many years, 
buying more land from time to time until he 
had 440 acres in all. He was a good citizen 
and one of the leading farmers in the northern 
section of Columbia County. Politically he 
was a supporter of the Republican party, 
whilst in his religious belief he was a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was 
trustee and elder, anil was one of the building 
committee for the erection of the present 
church edifice. Socially he was a member 
of the Masonic fraternity. ]\Ir. Laubach lived 
a long and useful life and was called Home 
May 28, 1890. As a result of his union with 
Susan Catherine Krickl)auni, the following 
children were born : Isaac Kinnev Krick- 
baum, the subject of this biographical rec- 
ord; John C, who died in childhood; 
Rlidda Ann, wife of Henry C. Learn of Ber- 
wick, and Margaret Ann, wife of Frank P. 
Dildine of Benton, twins; Sarah E. Brown 
and Freace Brown, also twins, — the former 
died in infancy and the latter is married to 
Alvin W. Dresher of Benton township ; Win- 
field Scott, who is farming on the old home- 
stead, and married Elizabeth C. Roberts, a 
daughter of Samuel Roberts; and Susan Ma- 
tilda, who died in 1866. 

Isaac Kinney Krickbaum Laubach was 
reared on the farm and obtained his intel- 
lectual training in the public schools of his na- 
tive town and in the New- Columbia Acad- 
emy and the Bloomsburg State Normal 
School. After receiving a good English edtt- 
cation he left school and turned his attention 
to lumbering and farming, wdiich vocations he 
has followed since. He is one of the leading 
and progressive business men of his section of 
the county and stands high in the- estimation 
of the public. He is a man of high principles, 
honest and straightforward, and numl)ers his 
friends by the score. 



July 3. 1875. 'le married Annie Gibbons, a 
daughter of the late Thomas Gibbons, a farm- 
er of Benton township, and their union re- 
sulted in the following offspring: Laura L., 
the wife of P. E. Tubbs, a mason and plasterer 
of Benton township; Susan, who died in in- 
fancy; Peter Clyde; Sadie E.; and Letha ]\I. 
Mrs. Laul)ach was called to her eternal rest 
May 27, 1897, aged forty-eight years and six 
days. Politically Mr. Laubach is a Republi- 
can. He was jury commissioner from 1895 
to 1898, a!so school director for a number of 
years. Socially he is past grand and an 
active member of Benton Lodge, I. O. O. 
F. ; member of the Patrons of Husbandry; 
and secretary of the Grange, w-hich of- 
fice he has hekl for a number of years. Re- 
ligiously our subject is allied with the Presby- 
terian Church of Raven Creek, Pa., in which 
he is trustee and elder, offices he has faithfully 
filled for several vears. 



OHN F. SCHAFFER, an attorney-at- 
law of the town of Sunbury, North- 
umberland County, where he enjoys a 
large and lucrative patronage, is a son of John 
F. and Sarah A. (Houghton) Schafifer, and 
was born in Sunbury, September 20, 1867. 

The family originally came from Switzer- 
land, John Schaffer, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, being a native of that country. 
He was a soldier in the Napoleon wars and 
after receivingf a serious wound in the chest 
he left the army and came to this country, lo- 
cating in the city of Reading, where he lived 
until his death. He was the father of John 
Schaffer, the grandfather of our subject, who 
was born in Reading and early in life learned 
the trade of a tailor, which trade he thereafter 
followed. He took an active part in the po- 
litical affairs of his day and was a mcmlier of 



392 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the Democratic party, spendiiifj time and 
moncv in aiding liis friends to office. He was 
a nicnil)er of tlie Reformed Clnu'ch. in wliich 
lie was an active worker and was Sunday 
School superintendent. He was twice before 
the matrimonial altar, his first wife being 
Louise Winckler, by whom he had four chil- 
dren, including John F., the father of our sub- 
ject. 

John F. Schafifer was born in Reading, Au- 
gust 3, 1834, where he grew lo manhood and 
learned the trade of a tailor with his father. 
In 1S55 he went to Lewisburg, Pa., where he 
engaged in merchant tailoring until 1864, 
wlien he returned to Reading and in the fol- 
lowing spring removed to Sunbury, where he 
remained until his death, on August 3, 1878. 
He engaged in his trade at Sunbury with good 
results. He was also an artist of more than 
ordinary ability. He was united in marriage 
to Sarah A. Houghton and thcv became the 
parents of one son and one daughter. 

John F. Schaffer, the subject of this liio- 
graphical sketch, was reared in Sunl)ury and 
obtained his education in the i)ublic schools, 
graduating from the high school in the class 
of 1884. Fie then was a clerk in the office of 
the register and recorder and clerk of the 
Orphans' Court in Sunbury. In 1887 he went 
West, spending three years in California, Col- 
orada, and Arizona, during the time of the 
great boom. He was employed in an abstract 
and title company's office at Los Angeles, and 
later by Fred Harvey, the proprietor of a 
chain of eating houses from Kansas City to 
San Bernardino, Cal. Prior to his departure for 
the \\'est our subject passed the preliniinar\ 
examination and upon his return to Sunliury 
in 1890 he read law under the direction of 
Hon. John B. Packer, a distinguished lawyer 
of that place, and upon the latter's death in 
1891, he continued to study under George B. 



Reymonsnyder of Sunbury. He was admitted 
to the bar in December, 1894, and has since 
been successfully engaged in practice. From 
1891 to 1894 he served as deputy prothono- 
tary in a satisfactory manner. 

Politically Mr. Schaffer is a member of the 
Democratic party, but has never aspired to of- 
fice, taking only the interest of a dutiful citi- 
zen in politics. Religiously he is a member 
of the Presbvterian Church. 



W". 



[.LIAM HENRY SMALL, one of 
le enterprising farmers of La])orte 
township, Sidlivan County, Pa., 
was born at Clift'ord Corners, Susquehanna 
County, this state, the date of his birth beimr 
August 8, 1835. He is a son of Bradner S. and 
Harriet (Hunter) Small, and a grandson of 
Matthew Small. 

Matthew Small was born in Tompkins 
County, N. Y., and died at Havana, N. Y., at 
an advanced age. His wife died aged eighty 
years. Little is now known of Matthew Small, 
but that he was a soldier of the Revolutionarv 
War and saw active service on Staten Island, 
N. Y. He was the father of Bradner S., our 
subject's father; Jane; Sarah Ann; Hannah; 
Lydia Ann; and Elias. In politics our sub- 
ject's grandfather was an active Democrat; 
in religious lielief he was inclined to be lil)- 
eral. 

Bradner S. Small was born in ( )range Comi- 
ty, N. Y., where he grew to maturitv: he 
learned the trade of a miller and wood-carver 
and, practically, followed these lines of busi- 
ness all his life. He passed from this world 
at the age of sixty years. In ])olitics he tinnly 
upheld the principles advocated by the Demo- 
cratic party. He was the father of the follow- 
ing children : Asneth, now deceased; our sub- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



393 



ject; Jolin Thomas, deceased: Esther, who 
married Henry White and resides in Virginia; 
]\rary married Ehner Shewmann, and tliey re- 
side in Corning, N. Y. : Julia, who resides in 
Ithaca, N. Y.; Sarah EHza, who married By- 
ron Rogers, now deceased, and hves in El- 
mira, N. Y. 

WilHam Henry Small was but seven years 
of age when his parents became residents of 
Ithaca, N. Y., and there he received his men- 
tal training and grew to manhood. Leaving 
home he went to Benton, Luzerne County, 
Pa., where he apprenticed himself to the 
blacksmith's trade for three years. From 
Benton he went to Laporte, his present 
adopted town, and there carried on his trade 
until 1 86 1, the beginning of the most disas- 
trous and bloody war of modern times. In 
response to a call issued by President Lincoln 
for troops to put down the Rebellion, our sub- 
ject immediately enlisted in the iith Reg., 
Pa. \'ol. Inf., for a term of three months. He 
took part in the skirmishes at Haines Run, 
near Williamsport, Md., and later his regiment 
camped within four miles of Martinsburg; 
there our subject was ill a short time before 
his term expired and was sent to the hospital 
at Hagerstown, from which place he was hon- 
orably discharged. He then went to Harris- 
burg, Pa., where he was again taken sick, and 
upon his recovery he returned to Laporte, 
where he took up his former trade. In 1864 he 
moved upon the farm owned by the father of 
his wife, and upon Mr. Clark's death she fell 
heir to her present tine mountain-top or table- 
land farm of eighty-eiglit acres. Mr. Small 
has since purchased twenty acres of timber- 
land adjoining the estate, and on the Clark 
part of the farm has since been erected a fine 
two-story, modern farm-house and a commo- 
dious barn. He is a hard-workins:, careful 



farmer and his home and surroundings show 
tliat he is prosperous and progressive. 

Mr. Small was united in marriage in 1863 
with Florence Clark, a daughter of Edward 
and Alary (Van Fleet) Clark of Laporte, Pa., 
and they are the proud parents of six chil- 
dren, namely: Hattie, deceased; Andrew 
married Millie Fritz and at present resides at 
home; Emmet, deceased; Edward, Frank, 
and Merlin, all single. Politically Mr. Small 
is a Republican. In his religious views he is 
liberal. 




HJJAM H. RHAWN, one of Co- 
lumbia County's most prominent 
attorneys-at-law, was born in Catawissa, Oc- 
tober II, 1856, and is a son of Casper and 
Catherine (Kruck) Rhawn. 

The grandfather of our subject was Flenry 
Rhawn, a native of Montgomery County, 
where he resided most of his life. He was 
the father of a family of children, one of whom 
was Casper, the father of our subject. 

Casper Rhawn was born at Halifax, Pa., in 
181 4, where he obtained his intellectual train- 
ing and learned the trade of a tailor. In 
1835 he removed to Catawissa, Pa., where he 
followed his trade until his death in 1882. He 
formed a matrimonial alliance with Catherine 
Kruck, a daughter of Jacob Kruck, a native 
and resident of Berks County. Mrs. Rhawn, 
who was born in 18 18, survives her husband 
and is enjoying good health for one of her 
age. Their union was blessed by the birth of 
the following children : Susan (Koslen- 
bauder); George B. ; Stephen; Ctitherine 
(Haas); Jacob; William H.; and Jessie. Mr. 
Rhawn was a firm supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party and always took an active inter- 
est in local afTairs, serving as postmaster of 
Catawissa for manv vears. 



394 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



William 11. Uhawn, a record of wliose lift- 
is here given, received his education in the 
public schools of Catawissa and in Dickinson 
Seminary, after which he took up the study 
of law under the preceptorship of W. TI. Ab- 
bott of Catawissa. He was admitted to the 
bar in May, 1879, and has since lived in 
Catawissa, where he maintains his office, but 
his largest practice is at the Columbia County 
Bar. He is an active and energetic business 
man and his great success cjn only be attrib- 
uted to his own superior natural abilities and 
professional qualifications. He is a strong 
worker and when he enters upon a case it is 
with the firm determination of doing justice 
to his client and to himself. He is attorney 
for the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad, the 
Catawissa Fiber Company. Ltd.. and for the 
Catawissa First National Bank, of which be is 
a stockholder. 

In his pohtical views Mr. Rbawn afiiliates 
with the Democratic party and has frequently 
been spoken of as a senatorial candidate ow- 
ing to his. well-known executive ability and his 
popularity. 



R. MARTIN ELIAS PLUMSTEAD, 
a successful practitioner of medicine 
\^£^ of Hill.sgrove, Hillsgrove township, 
Sullivan County, is a man of good education 
and has had much practical experience in the 
performance of his professional duties. He is 
a son of John and Lydia (Crayton) Plum- 
stead, and was born in Bradford County. Pa., 
May 31, 1873. 

John Plumstead-, the fatlicr of our subject, 
was born in Elmira, N. Y.. where he resided 
until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he 
enlisted in the i6ist Reg., N. V. \iil. Inf.. 
of Elmira. He was injured on a boat on the 
Hudson River while in the discharge of his 



duty, and upon his discharge from the regi- 
ment he returned to his home. There he 
lived for some time and then moved to Frank- 
lin, Bradford County, Pa., where he worked 
at the carpenter's trade. He finally moved 
to Sayre, Bradford County, in 1885, and is 
now a resident of that place, being employed 
in the locomotive works. He was united in 
marriage with Lydia Crayton of Bradford 
County, and they are the parents of five chil- 
dren, as follows: William K., a mason by 
trade and a resident of Sayre, Pa., who mar- 
ried Florence Northruj); Minnie, the wife of 
]'"rank L. Garrison, a car-inspector living at 
Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Lewis, a laborer residing 
in Sayre, Pa.; Martin Elias, the subject of 
this sketch; and Norman, a youth of thirteen 
years, living at Sayre, Pa. ■ 

Dr. Martin E. Plumstead recei\ed his edu- 
cation in the common schools of Sayre, Pa., 
after which he entered the employ of the Le- 
high Valley R. R., working as fireman for a 
period of two and one-half }ears on the main 
line. He then resigned that position and be- 
gan the study of medicine in the Medical De- 
partment of the University of Cleveland, at 
Cleveland, Ohio. He attended school there 
for one year, after which he took a two years' 
course in the Chicago Homeopathic School. 
As his means were limited, it was with great 
difficulty that our subject was able to attend 
school; it required labors outside of school 
work, but he was ecpial to the demand, pay- 
ing his tuition by aiding the janitor in his 
duties. He was graduated and received a 
certificate to practice on March 23, 1897, 
immediately thereafter locating at Sayre, Pa. 
He received his certificate to practice in Penn- 
sylvania on June 24, 1897, and practiced in 
Sayre until August, 1898, when he moved 
to Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, where he has 
acquired a good practice. He has met with 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



397 



pleasing success since his residence in Hills- 
grove and as a result contemplates conduct- 
ing a first-class drug-store there in the near 
future. He has identified himself with all of 
the interests of the township and has made 
many friends in that vicinity. 

On June 5, 1898, Dr. Plumstead was mar- 
ried to Hattie Brougham of Sayre; she was 
bom in January, 1873, and is a daughter of 
Spencer and Lottie (Mills) Brougham. Her 
father is a machinist by trade. The doctor 
was on the board of health at Sayre, and was 
also examiner of the Metropolitan Life In- 
surance Compan)' there. Socially he is a 
member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive 
Firemen. In politics he is a memlier of the 
Republican party. Religiously he is a faith- 
ful member of the Baptist Church; his wife is 
a member of the Episcopal Church. 



/2; EORGE W. RYON, attorney of 
\J^ I Shamokin, Pa., a portrait of whom is 
shown on the opposite page, is wide- 
ly known as one of the most thoroughly pro- 
gressive citizens of the Keystone State. Com- 
bining rare business ability and tact with a 
thorough knowledge of law, he has been fore- 
most in adxancing the material interests of 
the town in which he resides and practices his 
profession. Mr. Ryon was born in Elkland, 
Tioga County, Pa., April 30, 1839, and is 
the oldest son of George L. and Hannah 
(Hammond) Ryon. the latter a descendant of 
a Connecticut family which early settled in 
this state. The princiiial material for this 
sketch is taken from "The Prominent and 
Progressive Pennsylvanians of the 19th Cen- 
tury," published liy the Record Publishing 
Co., of Philadelphia, Pa. 

Our subject's great-grandfathers on ijoth 
ancestral lines were soldiers in the Continental 



Army and served throughout the Revolution, 
one attaining the rank of colonel and com- 
missary-of-subsistence in the division com- 
manded by Gen. Anthony Wayne. John 
Ryon, Jr., grandfather of our subject and a 
son of one of the Continental warriors, re- 
sided in the \\'\(iming \^alley until about 
eighteen years of age. He tlien settled in 
Elkland where he quickh- took a high place in 
public afifairs. He represented the Tioga- 
Bradford district as state senator for eleven 
years, being elected as a stanch Democrat. 
He also was for fifteen years associate judge 
in Tioga County, which position lie filled with 
dignity and honor. While a member of the 
senate he introduced a resolution favoring the 
election of Andrew Jackson to ihc presidency, 
which resolution was passed liy both houses 
of tl:e State Legislature. Se\ent_\- years ago 
Mr. Ryon was superintendent of the Penn- 
sylvania Canal, and carved in stone in the 
western end of the Shamokin dam opposite 
Sunbury his name as sucli uufler the date, 
1829. 

When our sul.)ject was ten years old his 
parents removed from Elkland to Lawrence- 
ville, in the same county. George W. grew 
to manhood on his father's farm, receiving 
his education in the Lawrenceville Academy, 
the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. 
Y., and at a commercial college in Roches- 
ter, N. Y. After graduating from the Rocli- 
ester college he was employed fnr a year as 
a civil engineer on the Kenosha, Kockford 
& Rock Island Railroad, having his head- 
quarters at Rockford, 111. In 1859 Mr. Ryon 
went to Tamaqua, Schuylkill County, Pa., 
where he began the study of law in the ofifice 
of his uncle. Judge James Ryon. Two years 
later he passed a very creditable exaiuinatimi 
and was admitted to the ])ractice of his pro- 
fession at Pottsville, Pa. He soon afterwards 



39S 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



took up his practice in Lawrenceville, sub- 
sequently seei<ing wider opportunities for his 
talent, and in 1869 removing to Shamokin, 
Pa., where he rapidly built up a good prac- 
tice and where his greatest successes as a law- 
yer have been made. A!\va_\s among those 
most prominent in working to advance the 
prosperity and tlevelopment of Shamokin, Mr. 
Ryon's efforts have been fully appreciated by 
his fellow-citizens and he has frequently been 
tendered public office, lie was one of the 
principal organizers an(l an incorporator of 
the Shamokin Banking Company and was its 
first president at the age of thirty-one years, 
and he yet holds the office. He also was one 
of the incor]iorators of the Shamokin Gas 
Light Gompany: a ])r()niotcr of the Shamo- 
kin Manufacturing Gompany, of which he is 
a director; a stockholder in the Shamokin 
Water Gompany; a trustee of the Shamokin 
Silk Mill, a new industry with a large mill 
now nearing com])leti<)n: and is a stockholder 
in the Shamokin Silk 'J'hrowing Gompany, 
which was incorporated in December, 1898. 
For several terms our subject was borcnigh 
solicitor, and his services were of inestimable 
value to the borough. In or out of public 
office Mr. Ryon has been energetic and tire- 
less in his endeavor to promote those things 
which have been for the i)ublic benefit. 

In politics, as were his ancestors, our sub- 
ject is an miswerxing Democrat. In 1S7O he 
was a delegate to the national convention in 
St. Louis which nominated Tilden and Hen- 
dricks as the national candidates of the Dem- 
ocratic party. He also was a delegate to the 
state conventions which placed in nomina- 
tion for goxernor Heister Glymer and Judge 
Pershing. In iSSr his party testified to its 
appreciation of Mr. I'Jxon's services in its 
councils and in its behalf gave fitting recog- 
nition to his eminence as a lawyer by nom- 



inating him as its candidate for president 
judge of Northumberland County. His pop- 
ularity with the people of his county was dem- 
onstrated strikingly, for, although defeated, 
his defeat was almost as flattering as would 
have been a victory. Twelve thousand votes 
were polled and Mr. Ryon was beaten by only 
219 votes. In October, 1891, Gov. Pattison 
appointed Mr. Ryon a memljer of the Board 
of Commissioners of Public Charities of Penn- 
sylvania and in November, 1896, he was re- 
appointed by Gov. Hastings for another term 
of five years. He has served with energy and 
painstaking zeal, which have won him the ad- 
miration of his fellow members on the board. 

For many years Mr. Ryon has been a trus- 
tee of the First Presbyterian Church of Sha- 
mokin, and during the major part of his ser- 
vice as trustee he has also been chairman of 
the board, and yet occupies the important 
oftice. He was a member of the committee 
which supervised the construction of the 
handsome edifice now occupied l)y the church 
societ}', contributing much of his time and 
means toward making the building what was 
desired. 

Our subject was married on April 29, 1869. 
to Phoebe Huntzinger, daughter of the late 
William Huntzinger of Schuylkill Haven, 
Schuylkill County, Pa. To them have been 
horn three children,— William H., Lewis II., 
;!nd Bessie. 



THOMAS E. KENNEDY, one of the 
prominent and genial hotel-keepers of 
Laporte, Pa., who is the owner and proprietor 
of the well-known Commercial Hotel and who 
is one of the ]iopular and highly esteemed 
citizens of that community, was born June 
13, 1871, and is a son of Jeremiah and Bridget 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



399 



(Liil^y) Kennedy, and grandson of Edward 
I'Cennedy. 

Our subject's father is of Irish extraction, 
and was born and reared in Turbal, County 
Roscommon, Ireland, and was founder of the 
prominent and prosperous family in this coun- 
try. \\'hile a young man he departed from 
b.is native land and sailed for the United 
States, locating in Schoharie County, N. Y., 
where he engaged in the tanning business. 
He was foreman of tanneries at the following 
places: Camden, Forrest Port, Moose River, 
Port Leyden, N. Y.; Ledgedale, Pa.; Ca- 
dosia Valley, N. Y.; Thorndale, Pa.; and 
Laporte, Pa. He pursued his vocation in the 
latter place until i88g. when he purchased of 
Dr. Fleshet the building used by him for a 
drug-store and dwelling. This Mr. Kennedy 
enlarged and remodeled into a hotel which 
he conducted until September, 1894. This 
hotel is now managed by our subject. He 
was joined in the bonds of wedlock with 
Bridget Luby, a native of St. Charles, County 
Roscommon, Ireland, her father having come 
to the United States when she was a young 
girl, locating at Staten Island, N. Y. To this 
happy marriage the following family of child- 
ren was born: Edward, a tanner residing at 
Buffalo, N. Y., was wedded to Maria Brown, 
who bore him a family of five children, — Ray- 
mond Ambrose, Robert, John, and Doratha; 
James, deceased, married Kate McKenzie, 
lived in Chicago, and they had the fol- 
lowing children, — Francis T., deceased, 
James, Leo, and Clara; Mary, the wife of 
I^r. E. S. C. Foster, and two children have 
been born to them. Jeremiah and Walter; 
A\'illiam A., a well-to-do tanner of Sullivan 
County, wbiose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
biographical record; Jerry, a tanner of Titus- 
ville, Pa., who married Lizzie Scanlon, and 
thev ha^'e reared two children, Regcnia and 



James Francis; Maggie, who was united in 
marriage with George Xortz and the follow- 
ing children were reared by them, — Eulena 
May Raphael, Adah Philamenia Gabriel, Ray- 
mond Severinus Alloysius, Mary Frances. 
Vincent William, Emmitte George, Norbert 
Anselm, Hillary Hyacinth, and Winnifred 
Margaret; John P., who is a barber and is the 
father of two children, — J. Howard and E. 
James; Thomas E., the subject of this per- 
sonal history; Annie, who remains at home; 
and Kate, the wife of John E. Gallagher of 
Muncy "N^alley, and the mother of five chil- 
dren, — James, Thomas, Maggie, Agnes, and 
John Anthony. 

Thomas V.. Kennedy acquired a liberal edu- 
cation in the public schools of Laporte, Pa., 
and he started out in life as a clerk for James 
McFarlane of that town; his services were 
of such an order that he remained with ]\Ir. 
McFarlane for nearly seven years, and only 
left his employ at the request of his father 
who wished him to assist in conducting the 
hotel. However, he did not remain in his 
father's hotel long, as he was oflered a much 
better position as head-clerk and overseer of 
the company store at Jamison City, Pa., and 
remained in that capacity a period of five 
years. At the time the company was pur- 
chased by the Union Tanning Company our 
subject became bookkeeper and remained 
with liis new employers fifteen months. He 
then returned to Laporte. where he remained 
a short time and then accepted a position with 
Trexler & Turrell, lumber dealers of Rick- 
etts, Wyoming County, as manager of the 
company store; he remained in their employ 
until 1897 when he returned to Laporte and 
succeeded Mr. T. W. Beahen in the hotel for- 
merl}' conducted b_\- his father. The Com- 
mercial Hotel is very pleasantly situated, is 
first-class in everv iiarticular. contains fifteen 



400 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



large and elegantly furnished rooms, and our 
subject lias established quite a reputation as 
a host. 

Air. Kennedy chose for his companion in 
life Martha Coleman, a daughter of William 
Coleman of Benton, Pa., and they are the 
happy parents of four children, namely: 
Cliarles, deceased; Alice; Samuel A.; and 
Pauline Elizabeth. Politically our subject is 
a firm supporter of the principles of the 
Democratic party and has held several minor 
offices; religiously he and liis family are 
])rominent memljers of the Roman Catholic 
Church. 



OTIX W. FLYNN, who has been en- 
gaged in the tanning business more or 
less all of his life, is at present super- 
intendent of the Union Tanning Company of 
Laporte, Pa., one of the largest industries of 
its kind in Sullivan County, and he has proven 
himself well worthy of a position of so great 
responsibility. He is of Irish extraction, was 
born in Sullivan County, N. Y., Alarch 22, 
1856, and is a son of Michael and Mary Agnes 
(Nolan) Flynn, and a grandson of Roger 
Flynn. 

Roger Flynn was the founder of this W'ell- 
known family in this country. He was born 
ui l.eansborough, County Roscommon, Ire- 
land, inmiigrated to the ITnited States about 
1848, and settled in Sullivan County, N. Y., 
where he followed the i)ursuits of an agricul- 
turist the remainder of his active days. He 
was the father of the following children : 
P.ri(lget; James; Michael; Catherine; Mary 
Ann; and Jane. 

Michael Flynn, the father of our subject, 
was also born in Ireland, and was a young 
man when his parents came to America. He 
engaged in the tanning business during his 
carlv manhoiid and a few years later pur- 



chased a farm in Sullivan County, N. Y., car- 
rying on general fanning until his death at the 
age of eighty-four years. He was unitetl in 
the bonds of wedlock with Mary Agnes No- 
lan, a native of Ireland, who died at the age 
of sixty years, leaving the following children: 
Joseph, who most of the time has been en- 
gaged in the tanning business, and married 
Adelia Clark; John W., our subject; Busie; 
Michael, who also is connected with the 
Union Tanning Company; Thomas, a farmer 
on the old homestead; and Edward J., a 
woodsman. 

Our subject acquired a liberal education in 
the common schools of his native township, 
attending school during the winter months 
and working in a tannery during his spare 
time. In 1882 he and his brothers, Joseph and 
Michael, went to Thorndale, Pa., and took 
contracts for finishing leather for the Laporte 
Tanning Company. In the year following. 
John went to Laporte for the same company 
and two years later was advanced to book- 
keeper, remaining in that capacity for one 
year, when he entered Warner's Business Col- 
lege at Elmira, N. Y., graduating from that 
institution on January 16, 1888. He then 
accepted a position as bookkeeper for Boak. 
\^'oddrop & Co., of Hughesville, Pa., where 
he remained until the following fall. He then 
bought an interest in the Muncy Manufactur- 
ing Company at Muncy, Pa., which he held 
until July, 1889; in August, following, he 
again entered the employ of James McFar- 
lane & Co. of Laporte, as bookkeejier and 
remained until June, 1890. Mr. Flynn then 
went to Jamison, Pa., where he accepted a 
jjosition as bookkeeper and manager of the 
company store for Thomas E. Proctor, a well- 
to-do tanner of that village. Remaining in 
the latter's em])loy until he sold his tannery 
tn the Union Tanning Company, our subject 



4 




'jqjh|. 




PROF. ELMER E. GARR. 



.j£iji.i^ 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



403 



tlicn engaged as l)ookkee])er iuv the new com- 
pany initil Februaiy, 1894, at Jamison, when 
lie was transferred to Laporte as superin- 
tendent of the company's interests in that bor- 
ough. Our subject has remained in this em- 
ploy up to the present tiiue and has won the 
confidence and good-will of both his em- 
ployers and the men under him. The Union 
Tanning Company owns and operates several 
tanneries in that section of the state and is 
composed of the following officers : C. S> 
Horton, president; 'SI. F. Hammond, secre- 
tary; A\'. H. Newton, treasurer; A. S. Buck- 
ley, general superintendent of the tanneries; 
and C. B. Farr, general superintendent of 
bark and timber. The officers are all promi- 
nent residents of Williamsport, Pa., with the 
exception of Mr. Buckley, who resides at 
Athens, Pa. 

Mr. Flynn, while a resident of Jamison, was 
appointed postmaster of that village and held 
that office until 1897. He was wedded Sep- 
tember 25, 1894, to Mary A. Breiger, a 
daughter of Charles and Frances Breiger of 
Laporte. Two children bless their home, 
namely: Joseph, born December 31, 1895; 
and Charles, born June 6, 1898. Religiously 
Mr. and Mrs. Flynn are prominent members 
of the Catholic Church. He has served as a 
member of the borough council, has been 
member of the school board and board of 
health for the past five years, and in his politi- 
cal affiliations is a supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party. He has been a member of the 
Democratic standing committee for the past 
three years; he served as delegate to the state 
convention held at Altoona, Pa., in 1898. 

^ ROF. ELMER E. GARR, the super- 
vising principal of the public schools 
of Berwick ami principal of the Ber- 
wick High School, has served in those capaci- 



ties, for which he has exhiljiled marked fjuali- 
fications, since 1891. During his term of 
office he has brought the schools to a standard 
of efficiency that is uneciualled by any in the 
county, and, after a pupil has completed the 
: academic or high school course, the founda- 
tion of a good English education has been 
laid, and he is thoroughly prepared to enter 
college or to enter upon a business career. 
The method of instruction adopted is to in- 
culcate the habit of research into the very 
depths of a subject with as little assistance 
from the teacher as possible. Large campuses 
surround the schools and are well adapted for 
all kinds of sports, and due attention is given 
to the physical development of the pupils. 
Prof. Garr is popular not only among the pu- 
pils and his fellow-educators, but also with the 
general public, which is ever ready to appre- 
ciate honest endeavor and superior work. 

Prof. Elmer E. Garr is a native of the state 
of Pennsylvania, ha\ing been born at Easton, 
Northampton County, and is a son of Hilarius 
Garr, a resident of Edelman, Northamptcjn 
County. He received his primary education 
in the Easton Academy, from wliich he grad- 
uated in 1886, and immediately thereafter en- 
tered Lafayette College. He took a full course 
and graduated from that well-known institu- 
tion in 1890. He is a man of scholarly attain- 
ments and was well ([ualified to enter upon the 
responsible duties attached to his present du- 
ties when called in 1891. The high school 
building is a pleasant two-story structure, well 
fitted throughout with the apparatus neces- 
.sary to illustrate the subjects under study, and 
furnished with comfortable desks. Works of 
reference are provided for the use of the pu- 
pils, who also have access to the library of the 
Y. M. C. A., which comprises 4,000 volumes 
of literary, scientific and historical works. 
I'pon the board of education are to be found 



404 



BOOK OF BIOCRAPillES. 



some of the leading citizens of Berwick, name- 
ly: Charles C. Evans, ])resi(lent; H. E. Wal- 
ton, secretary; S. W. Dickson, treasurer; V. 
W. Bower; M. G. Smith; and John A. 
Smethers. The faculty consists of the follow- 
ing capable instructors: Elmer E. Garr, su- 
l)ervising principal; W. L. Houck, vice-prin- 
cipal; William E. Elmes; Eva D. Stiles; and 
N. W. Bloss. Having made for himself a 
place in the difficult life-work he has under- 
taken, Prof. Garr commands the respect of the 
entire community and is regarded as an au- 
thority on matters educational. 

Our sul)ject formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Eaura Hester, a daughter of Nelson Hes- 
ter of South Bethlehem, Pa., and they are 
the happy parents of three children: Florence 
1"]., Ruth H., and Marion F. Socially our sub- 
ject is connected with the following orders: 
Master of Knapj) Eodge, No. 462, F. & A. 
M.; member of W. T. Sherman Commandery, 
No. 23, P. O. S. of A., of Berwick; past com- 
mander of Susquehanna Commandery, No. 
18, Knights of Malta; and of the Royal Ar- 
canum. In religious belief he adheres to the 
doctrines of the Lutheran Church. Prof. Garr 
purchased the property formerly owned by 
Lyman Fowler, made many improvements 
upon it, and now has a very comfortable 
home. We present his portrait on a preceding 

page. 

-♦•-». 

(^A.M1':S BOYD McHENRY, ex-sheriff 
of Columbia County and one of the 
valued citizens of Benton, who is 
highly respected for his many sterling quali- 
ties, was born in Greenwood township, Co- 
lumbia County, Pa., February 8, 185 1, and is 
a son of Benjamin and Lovinia (Conner) Mc- 
Henry, grandson of Daniel and Mary (Cole- 
man) McHenry, and great-grandson of 
Daniel and Mary (Stephen) McHenr\-. 



Daniel McHenry, great-grandfather of our 
subject, was of sturdy Scotch-Irish descent 
and was one of the pioneer settlers of Co- 
lumbia Count}'. With an ax and provisions 
for six months he left his home and came to 
the county and took up a claim of several 
hundred acres of land in Fishing Creek town- 
slii]). which is now the property of his grand- 
son, Daniel McHenry. He felled trees and 
l)uilt a log cabin, and then returned to his for- 
mer residence and brought his family to their 
new home. He cleared a part of the farm and 
then engaged in the tilling of the soil. He 
was married to i\Iary Stephen, who bore him 
the following children: Benjamin; Mattie; 
Daniel; J<ihn, wiio was the first male child 
l)orn in his section of the county; Moses; 
and Julias. 

Daniel McHenry, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Chillis(jua(|ue, Pa., and 
when he grew to manhood he purchased of 
his father one hundred acres of the original 
homestead and there carried on farming the 
rest of his active days. He passed from this 
life on his birthday, aged seventy-nine years, 
and was the grand-and great-grandfather of 
seventy-two children. He was wedded to 
Alary Coleman, a daughter of Benjamin Cole- 
man, a native of New York State. Eleven 
tliiidren blessed their home, who were named 
as follows: Betsey; Sally; Benjamin; Polly; 
William; Adeline; Mary; Moses; Uriah; 
jose])li; and Charlotte. .Mrs. McHenry died 
at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. 

Benjamin McHenry, father of our suliject, 
was born in Fishing Creek tt)wnship. May 13, 
1812, and is the oldest McHenry living to- 
day. He has been a farmer by occui)ation, 
and has spent his whole life on the farm en- 
gaged in agricultural labors. He was very 
successful in his chosen occupation and was 
alwavs considered to be one of the leading 



SEVENTEENTH- CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



406 



men of his community. He acquired a liljeral 
education in tlic comnirm schools and then 
purchased a farm in Greenwood township 
consisting of si.xty acres of well-improved 
land, which he still owns. He also operated 
a threshing machine for twenty-six years in 
which he was very successful. A man of iron 
constitution, it is said that he has whip-sawed 
more timber than any one man who ever 
lesided in Columbia County. He chose for 
liis life-companion Lovinia Conner, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas Conner, a well-to-do farmer 
of Greenwood township. She passed from 
this life February 14, 1885, aged seventy 
years. To Mr. and Mrs. McHenry were born 
the following children: Montville, a prac- 
ticing physician of Exchange, Pa.; Alfred, a 
blacksmith, residing in Cambria, Pa. ; Nor- 
man, a prominent farmer residing in Co- 
lumbia County; Thomas C, deceased, who 
was a physician; Mary, deceased, who was 
the wife of M. Smith, also deceased; James 
Boyd, whose name heads the above lines; 
Lloyd, deceased; and Alveretta, deceased. 
Our subject's father is grand-and great-grand- 
father of fifty children, all of whom are still 
living. Mr. McHenry, to whom an exceed- 
ingly old age has come, and yet who Hves with 
as bright an eye and with faculties as clear 
and unimpaired as in the days of yore, is one 
of the most widely-known and highly-re- 
si)ected residents of Greenwood township, 
lie is now on the sunny western slope of 
life, surrounded by friends of the present and 
the dear memories of the past, and is filling 
out a life that has been of use and advantage 
to himself and everyone wlio has come within 
the circle of his good intUience. 

James Boyd McHenry was educated in the 
Greenwood Seminary and at the aee of eisfh- 
teen years he went to Cambria, where he 
learned the trade of a I)lacksmith. He then 



located in Roaring Creek; later in Benton, 
where he continued to follow his trade until 
1894, when he was elected sheriff of Colum- 
bia County, serving until 1898. For eleven 
years our subject was associated with William 
Appleman in the manufacture of w-agons. 
Later, with his brother Thomas C, he built 
the McHenry hotel, which was destroyed by 
fire in 1896. Our subject immediately re- 
built the hotel into a handsome three-story 
structure, 42 by 80 feet; he also built two 
large dwellings, which he rents. He owns a 
farm of one hundred and five acres near the 
town of Benton. 

Mr. McHenry formed a matrimonial al- 
liance with Maria Moore, a daughter of 
George Moore, a resident of Sugarloaf town- 
ship. Columbia County. Four children have 
been Ijorn to our subject and his wdfe, as fol- 
lows: Annetta, wife of W. N. Kline, and 
having one child, Boyd; Rebecca and Lloyd 
C, who are attending school; ami T. C, who 
died aged six and one-half years. Socially 
our subject is a member of the L O. O. F. 
of Benton. 



OEL MORTON is the genial proprie- 
tor of the Berwick House at Berwick, 
Pa., which is a large brick structure, 
partially siu'roimded by long, jjroad verandas. 



o\'erlookin2' the Susiiuehanna A'alle\ 



ith its 



beautiful mountain scenery in the back- 
ground, and one of the best and most popular 
h.otels in this section of the state. He is a 
son of Benjamin and Bessie (Morgan) Mor- 
ton, and was born in Yorkshire, England, 
December 6, 1839. 

Benjamin Morton, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Yorkshire, England, where 
he lived his entire life. He was a iilemaker 
by trade and, in connection with farming, 
made that his occuiiation. He formed a mat- 



406 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



limonial alliance with Bessie Morgan and 
they reared a family of children, one of wlioni 
was Joel, our sul)jcct. 

Joel Morton was cn^fjagcd in at;ricnltnral 
pursuits in England until 1863, when, with 
the good judgment and foresight that has 
since characterized his every action, he de- 
cided that America afforded better opportuni- 
ties for a successful career. In that year he 
came to this country and located in I\Iono- 
cacy, Pa., where he conducted a hostelry for 
seven years. He then moved to Rock Glen, 
^\here he was the proprietor of a hotel for 
ten years. July 24, 1890, he came to Ber- 
wick and j^urchascd the Berwick House on 
tlie corner of Market and Front streets, to 
A\ liich he added one story, making three in all. 
Large verandas were built, the rooms, forty- 
two in number, were ec|uipped with steam 
heat, gas and many other conveniences, 
which added greatly to the comfort of the 
traveling public. Two bath-rooms are at the 
disposal of the guests, and by no means the 
least pleasant feature of the place is the 
spacious and attractive dining hall. _ The 
table, under the careful sui)ervision of the 
landlord's hospitable wife, is all that could 
be desired to satisfy the wants (if the inner 
man. He has two fine barns, one of which 
he rents to W. F. Ruch, and the other is 
occupied as a livery which he c( inducts in con- 
nection with the hotel. He has some hantl- 
some turn-outs and his horses are as fine 
roadsters as are to l)e found in the community. 
Mr. Morton is a joxial and good-natinx'd land- 
lord, and the manner in which he caters. to 
the wants of his guests has made him so ex- 
tremely popular that the patronage of his 
hotel is constantly on the increase. He is 
elated and encouraged by the success with 
which he is meeting and never tires of doing 
all in his power to increase the pleasure and 



comfort of those stopping beneath his roof. 
He is well kiKiwn thrnuglmut his section of 
Columbia County and has an enviable repu- 
tation as an honest and straightforward busi- 
ness man. 

In 1862 our subject was united in matri- 
monial l)on(ls to Mary Fisher, a native of 
England, and they are the proud parents of 
the following children: Sarah, who married 
^^'illianl Ungsinger of Sunbury, and who have 
one son, Robert; Frank, the proprietor of 
the Nescopeck Hotel, who married IJzzie 
Oss; William, a fireman on the D., L. & W. 
R. R., married to Emma Krall; Mary, wife 
of John Tress of Riverside, Pa.; Lizzie, 'who 
resides at home; Benjamin D., a hotelkeeper 
who wedded Picssie Wright; George, who 
holds a clerical position; Thomas, a clerk and 
assistant to our subject: and Flossie, who is 
attending school. Politically Mr. Morton 
af^liates with the Republican party. 



w^ 



LLL\M J. RAMSEY, an enterpris- 
ing citizen of Sagon, Coal town- 
ship, Northumljerland County, Pa., 
and inside-foreman at the Hickory Ridge Col- 
liery, has had a thorough mining career and, 
through steadiness of character and conscien- 
tiousness in his work, has won for himself a 
splendid position, the duties of which he fills 
to the entire satisfaction of the company. He 
is a son of Cyrus and Margaret (Henry) Ram- 
sey, and was born March 15, 1859, in Schuyl- 
kill County, Pa. 

Cyrus Ramsey, father of our subject, was 
f)orn near Lebanon, Pa. He was a teacher 
in his younger days, Init during his later life 
was a colliery clerk in the region of the Hick- 
ory Swamp Colliery. He lived in that region 
thirty-five years prior to his death, which oc- 
curred at Coal Run. He was a man of good, 
practical education, and was widely known in 




COL. AMJREW D. SEELV 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



409 



that section. Our subject's mother was born 
in Schuylkill County. Pa., but is now living at 
Coal Run. 

\\illiani J. Ramsey, the sul)ject of this biog- 
raphy, spent his early life in the mining dis- 
tricts and consequently followed the occupa- 
tion of a miner. At the age of nine years he 
went into the breaker as a picker of slate, and 
remained there until he entered the mines as a 
full-fledged miner. It was not long until he 
was promoted to the position of assistant fore- 
man at Hickory Swamp, where he remained 
two and one-half years. At the end of that 
period, in 1894, he accepted a similar position 
at Hickory Ridge, and his work being satis- 
factory, in April, 1898, he was promoted once 
more, to the position of inside-foreman. 

Politically Mr. Ramsey is a Republican and 
is an active supporter of his party, having 
served a number of times on the election 
board, and has also been a delegate several 
times to the county conventions. He is a 
member of several fraternal organizations, 
namely: Knights of the Golden Eagle; Jr. O. 
U. A. M.; Knights of the Mystic Shrine; and 
holding offices in the Jr. O. U. A. M. and the 
Knights of the Golden Eagle. Mr. Ramsey, 
on July 18, 1881, married Eliza Sands, daugh- 
ter of Samuel Sands of Shamokin, Pa., and 
they are the parents of five children, as fol- 
lows: George A.; Cyrus R.; Joseph S.; B. 
Franklin; and Ethel Irene. Mr. Ramsey is 
one of the most active workers in Sagon and 
is a man of strictest integrity. 




rOL. ANDREW D. SEELY, whose 
portrait is shown on the opposite 
page, one of tiie valued citizens of 
the town of Berwick and superintendent of 
the paint department of The Jackson & 
Woodin ^lanufacturing Company of that 



town, was born in Berwick, May 5, 1842, and 
is a son of Nathan and Catherine (Krisher) 
Seely, and a grandson of Samuel and Marga- 
ret (Cortright) Seely. 

Samuel Seely's birth-place is not known, 
but he resided in Strasburg, Pa., nearly all 
his life, engaged in farming and teamstering. 
While hauling a load of goods from Philadel- 
phia to his home town he was killed in a run- 
away accident. He was united in marriage 
with Margaret Cortright who bore him five 
children, namely: John, Nathan, Hannah, 
Huldah, and Andrew. Mrs. Seely formed a 
second marriage union with Samuel Santee 
and they were the parents of three children: 
Samuel, Isaac and Robert. 

The father of our subject was born in 1810, 
and was a blacksmith by trade, having served 
an apprenticeship to that trade in the shop of 
Thomas Cole of Berwick. He moved to 
Orangeville, Pa., where be embarked in busi- 
ness on his own account, but later removed to 
Berwick where he followed his trade the rest 
of his active days. He served as major in 
the state militia; as inspector of the Second 
Brigade; and as captain of the Light Horse 
Artillery. He also served as constable of the 
town. He erected the house in which Lyman 
Fowler now resides. Plis wife was Catherine 
Krisher and tliey were the parents of two 
children, namely: Andrew D., our subject; 
and Fanny E. The latter became the wife of 
G. D. Jacoby of Berwick, and they reared 
the following children: Warren; Boyd; Kate, 
the wife of H. S. Williams; Mary, deceased; 
Sally, who is the wife of H. J. Sitler; Annie, 
who is the wife of G. F. Vandoozer; and Etta. 
The father of our subject died in 1865. 

Andrew D. Seely acquired a good education 
in the common schools and then learned the 
trade of a stonecutter and worked for Capt. 
A. H. Rush of Berwick until the breaking 



410 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



out of the Rebellion. April 20, 1861, he en- 
listed in C<inipany C, i6th Reg., Penna. 
\'ol. Inf., which was one of the first companies 
sworn into the Union service during the Civil 
\\ ar. Three months later he re-enlisted in 
the 84th Regiment, whicli, on account of the 
loss of men, was later merged with the 57th 
Regiment. When our subject was mustered 
out, on July 25, 1865, he was sergeant of his 
company. Returning home he was employed 
at the works of The Jackson & Woodin Manu- 
factiu-ing Company, where he now has charge 
of the paint department and has some twenty 
men under his supervision. 

August 27, 1870, our subject was made cap- 
tain of the Jackson Guards, ser\ing at Scran- 
ton, Pa., in 1871: December 31, 1871, he was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 17th 
Regiment and ser\ed during the riot at the 
Susquehanna Depot in 1874^ he saw active 
service at Wilkesbarre and Hazleton, at which 
places he was on Maj. Osbourne's stafT; in 
1877, on the re-organization of the National 
Guard of Pennsylvania, he was made aide-de- 
camp of the Third Brigade under Gen. Sieg- 
fried; he was also made aide-de-camp on 
Ciov. Pattison's staff with the rank of lieu- 
tenant-colonel. Col. Seely did effective 
service during the riots at Homestead, Pa. 
He has assisted in quelling all the riots in 
tiie state and has won the highest praise for 
the good judgment he displayed. 

Col. Seely on March 25, 1878, was joined in 
the l)onds of matrimony with Miranda C. 
Stackhouse. Our subject is a member of the 
Knights of Malta; G. A. R.; Society of the 
Army of the Potomac; Knights of the Golden 
Eagle; P. O. S. of A.; Camp No. 32, U. V. 
L.; Lodge No. 436, B. P. O. E., of Blooms- 
burg, Pa.; and Col. A. D. Seely Camp, No. 25, 
Sons of Veterans. He has been a member 
and chief of the fire department for the last 



seven years; has served as burgess of the bur- 
ough of Berwick; and as health of^cer eight 
years. Mrs. Seely is a member of the Wom- 
en's Relief Corps, and is a very active worker 
in the organization. Col. Seely occupies a 
residence. No. 309 East Front street, which 
is one of the finest in the borough and is 
equi])])e(l with every modern improvement. 
Col. Seely holds a commission on the retired 
list of the National Guard of Pennsylvania 
and is entitled to be the guest of the governor 
of Pennsyhania upon all state occasions. 




IRA.M W. HELLER, who has charge 
of "Berwick Heights," the home of 
C. R. Woodin and son, is one of 
the prominent citizens of Berwick, and was 
born in Mifflin township, Columbia County, 
Pa., November 10, 1850. He is a son of 
Michael and Mary Ann (Hetler) Heller, 
grandson of Christopher and Susanna (Lantz) 
Heller, and great-grandson of Michael Heller. 

Michael Heller, the great-grandfatlier of 
our subject, was born in Berks Comity, Pa., 
and served throughout the Revolutionary 
A\'ar under Gen. George Washington. Dur- 
ing his later days he engaged in farming in 
Northampton County, Pa. 

Christopher C. Heller was born in Xorth- 
ampton County in the village of H^ellertown, 
and when he grew to manhood he moved to 
Columbia County and purchased a large tract 
of land in Mifflin township. He cleared a part 
of the farm, bm'lt a saw-mill, and built the 
house now standing there. He also built a 
blacksmith-shoi) and did work for himself and 
sometimes for his neighbors; he was naturally 
a mechanic and made the first threshing ma- 
chine ever used in Columbia County. He 
died on his farm in Mifflin township in 1861 
at the age of eighty-four years. He was 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



411 



joined in wedlock to Susanna Lantz, who died 
in 1872 ac^ed eighty-four years. Four child- 
ren were the resuUs of this union, namely: 
Michael; John; Mary M.; and Sarah A. 

Michael Heller, the father of our subject, 
was born on the old homestead in ]\Iifflin 
township, September 8, 1823, and carried on 
farming the greater part of his life. He also 
learned the trade of a blacksmith from his 
father when he was a boy and carried on 
blacksmithing" to a large extent. He was 
\'ery successful in his chosen occupations and 
added considerable land to the original home- 
stead. Mr. Heller was widely known through- 
out Columbia County and was held in high 
esteem for his many sterling qualities which 
stand as an example to the rising generation. 
He was a strong Republican in politics, and, 
in a Democratic town, he was elected three 
times as poormaster, which tends to show his 
popularity and the respect in which he was 
held by his fellow-citizens. Religiously he 
was a member and deacon of the German Re- 
formed Church. Socially he was a member of 
Lodge No. 246, I. O. 6. F., of Mifflin. He 
formed a union with Mary Ann Hetler. a 
daughter of Alichael Hetler of Columbia 
County, and the following children were born 
to them: Francis \\Miitney; Hiram Westley, 
tlie subject of this sketch; Christoi^her Co- 
lumbus; Sarah Catherine; John Madison; 
Harriet Alice; and Morris M. The last 
three died in their infancy. Mrs. Heller 
passed from this life in 1863. Our subject's 
father formed a second matrimonial alliance 
with Elizabeth Smoyer, a daughter of Peter 
Smoyer. Seven children were the results of 
this union, namely : Alfred B.; Amanda, de- 
ceased; Wilson .\., deceased; Rush M.; Wil- 
liam H.; Martha M.; and one who died in 
infancy. The father of our subject died on 
the old homestead in 1893. 



The subject of this sketch was reared on 
the old homestead and followed the pursuits 
of an agriculturist until 1881, when he ac- 
cepted a position as coachman for C. R. 
\\'oodin, in which he proved himself honest, 
faithful and reliable, and was rewarded by 
being made general servant. When Mr. 
Woodin purchased "Berwick Heights" and 
built a magnificent residence, our subject was 
given charge of the same, and has held that 
position to the present. Mr. Heller has 
crossed the Atlantic Ocean three times and 
has traveled extensively through the Eastern 
Hemisphere, anil also through most of the 
states of the Union. Mr. Heller devotes his 
entire time and attention to the trust be- 
stowed upon him; he is a gentleman of re- 
fined principles, and has won hosts of friends 
who hold him in hisfh esteem. 



EREMIAH JOHN BROWER. This 
honored and esteemed pioneer citizen 
of Columbia County, who resides in 
the town of Bloomsburg, is passing his sun- 
set days in ease and comfort, enjoying the 
reward of his early industry and persever- 
ance. He has been identified with the inter- 
ests of Columbia County for more than a 
lialf-century and has long been recognized as 
one of its best citizens, aiding and maintain- 
ing it in reaching its present position among 
the first-class communities of the state. He 
was born in Browertown, Union township, 
Berks County, Pa., April 10, 182 1, and is a 
son of John and Faimy (Millard) Brower, and 
a grandson of Abraham Brower. 

John Brower, the father of our subject, was 
a resident of Union township, Berks County, 
where he was engaged in the manufacture of 
grain-scoops, door-locks, and various other 
specialties. He was wedded to Fanny Mil- 



412 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



lanl, wlio was of Ou;ikcr descent, and tlicy 
reared Iwu children: Jeremiaii J., tlic subject 
of this sketch: and Alatilda, tlie wife of Rich- 
ard Jones. 

Jeremiah J. Brower received a good educa- 
tion in the public schools and before he was 
seventeen years of age he was teaching in 
Catawissa and was known as an excellent 
teacher in penmanship. In 1S48 he em- 
barked in the mercantile business at ]Mifflin- 
ville, Columbia County. In 1850 he sold his 
store and moved to Bloomsburg, where he 
opened and conducted a large store on the 
corner of Main and Iron streets for a period of 
nineteen years. He then erected the Paul E. 
Wirt block and carried on his business in that 
building until 1870, when lie was elected jus- 
lice of the peace and served in that position 
for a term of ten years. In 1881 he began 
dealing in carpets and oil-cloth and remained 
in that business luitil he retired from acti«i^^ 
business. Me was succeeded by his grandson, 
William Id. Brower, who is now successfully 
carrying on the business. 

In 1853-54 Mr. Brower built the beautiful 
residence. No. 229 Market street, at a cost 
of lifteen thousand dollars, one of the finest 
brick residences in the town of Bloomsburg. 
Our subject takes an active part in the growth 
and welfare of his community and always 
lends a helping hand toward any measure 
that tends to benefit his fellow-citizens. He 
has assisted in forming four building and loan 
associations; has served as secretary and treas- 
urer of the Mutual Building and Saving Fund 
.Association; and has served as treasurer of 
the Alasonic lodge about twenty-seven years. 
He has also been a stockholder and officer in 
many industries started in Bloomsburg. and 
was one of the chief promoters of many indus- 
tries that have led to the building up of the 
communitv. 



In 1841 Mr. ])rower was united in marriage 
to Eliza Brothwell, a daughter of Dr. Eleazer 
Brothwell of Mifflinville. His wife departed 
this life in 1893, at the age of seventy-six years 
si.x months and two days, leaving the follow- 
ing children: Fanny J., wife of James K. 
Brugler; Eleazer B.; Ada Eveline, wife of 
L. S. W'intersteen; and Mary Eliza, w^ho mar- 
ried J. H. Lingle. 

Mr. Brower is one of the foremost citizens 
of his county and is highly respected and hon- 
ored for his sterling worth and integrity as a 
neighbor, a gentleman and a citizen. 



OSEPH E. A. SOWERS, a substantial 
and influential citizen of Shamokin, 
Coal township, was born August 19, 
1842, in Spring City, Chester County, Pa., 
and is the son of Abner and Elizal)eth (Taney) 
Sowers. Both his paternal and maternal an- 
cestors were residents of Chester County; the 
former being of German and the latter of 
French origin. 

Al)ner Sowers, our suljject's father, was 
born on his father's farm in Chester County. 
Pa., and spent the greater portion of his life 
near Royer's Ford, where he followed farm- 
ing, but later in life worked in a mill. He 
died leaving a widow and two children: Jo- 
seph E. A., our subject, and Annie, now de- 
ceased, formerly wife of Rev. Henry Chap- 
man, an Episcopalian minister. After the 
death of his father our subject's mother was 
again united in marriage, wedding William 
Wilcox, now deceased. One son was born to 
them, and bears his father's name, W'illiam 
Wilcox, and is now a resident of Bethlehem, 
Pa. His mother now resides in Philadelphia. 

Joseph E. A. Sowers received a common 
school education at Norristown, Montgomery 
Count V, Pa., after which he entered the roll- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



413 



ing mills of that place. He subsequently left 
Norristown and went to Pottsville and there 
learned the molder's trade, which occupation 
he followed until he entered the Union Army 
in the War of the Rebellion. In 1861 he en- 
listed in Company I, 52d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., 
and served as sergeant for three years and five 
months. He was with Gen. McClellan and 
took an active part in the Peninsular cam- 
paign ; was on duty in North Carolina, South 
Carolina, on James Island in front of Fort 
Sumter, at Yorktown, and was finally taken 
prisoner July 3, 1864, at Fort Johnson, on 
Morris Island. 

After his capture at Fort Johnson he was 
taken to Charleston, S. C, thence to Ander- 
sonville, Sumter County Ga., where he re- 
mained three months and shared with his fel- 
low-comrades prison life in the "hell of all 
Iiells" known to mankind on this earth. The 
total of Union prisoners received at this noto- 
rious prison during the war was 49,845; of 
this number 12,926 died. He was transferred 
from Andersonville Prison to Florence, S. C, 
where he was imprisoned for two months and 
then paroled. At the close of his military ser- 
vice he returned to Pottsville, where he em- 
ployed himself for one year, after which he 
located at Port Carton, accepting charge of 
the foundry for J. R. Boyer. Mr. Sowers con- 
tinued working there for several years, oper- 
ating the foundry with ability and success, and 
discontinued the same only to accept the more 
lucrative position of foreman of the molding 
department w'ith John Mullen & Son, at Sha- 
mokin, December 21, 1875. 

Our su1)ject was united in marriage with 
Ella Lord. October 25, 1866, and their home 
was blessed with five children, one being now 
dead. The living children are: Harry, who 
married Katie Miller and has two bright chil- 
dren, Essie and Frank,- — he is a machinist in 



the employ of John Mullen & Son; Elizabeth; 
Harvey B., who married Frances Burner, and 
is a molder, also in the employ of John Mullen 
& Son; and Ella May. The two daughters, 
Elizabeth and Ella May, are still at home; 
l)oth are affable young ladies, and to their 
presence is greatly due the sunshine and hap- 
piness \\hich gladdens the hearts of their par- 
ents. 

Mr. Sowers is a man who has rendered emi- 
nent services in various fields of labor. He 
has been faithful in all the relations of life and 
is a most \aUu'(l memlter of society. His in- 
terests politically are identified with the Re- 
publican party. Socially he is a member of the 
following lodges: Shamokin Lodge No. 255. 

F. & A. M.; Shamokin Chapter No. 264. R. 
A. M.; Shamokin Commandery, K. T. ; and 
is also a member of Lincoln Post No. 140, 

G. A. R. 




HARLES H. CAMPBELL, who is a 
veteran of the Civil War and was 
for many years connected with the 
many leading industries of Bloomsburg. is 
now living in retirement in that town and re- 
sides in a handsome and modern brick resi- 
dence on Fifth street. He is a son. of Joseph 
W. Campbell, and was born in Luzerne Coun- 
ty, Pa. 

Joseph W. Campbell was born in York 
County, Pa., in 181 3 and was a good citizen 
and a reliable business man, accumulating a 
handsome competency during his active life. 
For many years he was foreman of construc- 
tion on the North Branch of the Pennsylvania 
Canal, the duties of which position he per- 
formed up to the time of his death in 1878, 
at the age of sixty-five years. 

Charles H. Campljell was reared and edu- 
cated in his native county, after which he l)c- 



414 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



came an instructor in the ])ublic schools as 
a means of earning a Hveliliood. continuing as 
such for three years. He was an ahic teacher 
and was appointed to the position of principal 
of the high school of White Haven, perform- 
ing the duties of that office for about eight 
years. He then engaged in the same line of 
work as that of his father, following it until 
1862 when the Civil War assumed a \ery 
gloomy aspect, and, seeing that his services 
were needed at the front, he enlisted in Com- 
pany F, 143rd Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. Enlisting 
as a private he traveled the line of promotion 
and was finally made adjutant. He partici- 
pated in all of the battles of the Army of the 
Potomac, including the battles of Fredericks- 
burg, Gettysburg. Culpejier, Wilderness, 
Petersburg, and many others of lesser import- 
ance. He was at all times in connnand of 
three companies of brave and daring soldiers. 
Never flinching in the hour of peril, always 
faithful to his charge, and always to the front 
he rendered valuable aid to the cause of the 
Union and received praise on all sides for his 
admirable conduct and coolness while under 
the enemy's fire. He continued in the army 
until the close of the war and his enviable 
record in the service has been continued 
throughout his life. Upon returning from the 
war he located at Bloomsburg where he be- 
came identified with some of the leading in- 
dustries of which he is still a stockholder. 
From 1880 to 1887 he was superintendent of 
what is now the Bloomsburg Car Mfg. Co.'s 
store, but resigned in 1888 when he was elect- 
ed register and recorder of Columbia County. 
He served in the latter caiKicity for si.x con- 
secutive years in a satisfactory manner. He 
has since lived in retirement to enjoy a well 
needed rest after so many years of activity. 
He is a member of the company which built 
and owns the beautiful Proctor's inn. one of 



the finest summer hotels in the state of Penn- 
sylvania. In 1880 he erected a residence on 
Fifth street but it was burned to the ground 
in the following year. Nothing daunted by 
this misfortune, Mr. Campbell again built a 
home, one of brick, which far eclipses the 
former one in Ijeauty and is supplied with all 
conveniences of modern times. 

Our subject is well and favorably known 
throughout Columbia County, numbering his 
friends almost by his acquaintances. He was 
united in marriage to Sarah E. Rambach of 
Columbia County, by whom he had one 
daughter, Madge, wdiose beautiful young life 
went out at the age of twenty-three years. 
Mr. Campbell is a member of Sylvania Lodge, 
No. 354, F. & A. M. of Shickshinny, Pa.; and 
past colonel of the Union Veteran's Legion. 



(^OHN M. BOGARDUS, superintendent 
of the car department of the mam- 
moth Jackson & Woodin Manufactur- 
ing Company of Berwick, and one of the high- 
ly esteemed citizens of that town, was born in 
Troy, N. Y., April 4. 1851, and is a son of 
Robert L. and Catherine (Harris) Bogardus. 
Mr. Bogardus received his education in the 
common schools of his native town and at the 
age of seventeen years he served an appren- 
ticeship as a car builder at Green Island. N. 
v., for the Delaware &- Hudson R. R. Ow- 
ing to bis excellent w 1 irkniansliip he was ]5ro- 
moted to assistant master of the car-building 
department and as draftsman. He remained 
in the employ of the company for twenty-five 
vears when, in 1893, he resigned his position 
to accept a situation as superintendent of The 
Jackson & A\'oodin Manufacturing Company 
of Berwick, Pa. Our subject has about one 
lumdred and seventy-five men under his su- 
iiervision whose duty it is to cut and fit tim- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



415 



ber by the latest modernized machinery, so 
that wlien it goes to tlie ])latform for building 
every piece is sawed, holes bored, and is ready 
to be put together in a short time. The shops 
also make all kinds of freight cars for gen- 
eral freight traffic and have a daily output of 
twenty cars per day. Although our subject 
is proA'ided with the best of draftsmen he 
performs much of his own drafting. Mr. Bo- 
gardus occupies a handsome residence. No. 
109 East Fifth street, Berwick. 

Our subject chose for his life companion 
Ella J. Sherman of Troy, N. Y., and two 
d.aughters have blessed their happy home : 
Elizabeth A., who is teaching in the public 
school on Market street; and Bertha K., 
who resides with her jiarents. Mr. Bogardus 
is a member of the Royal Arcanum of Ber- 
wick. Our sul)ject is truly a self-made man. 
Being thoroughly acquainted with the condi- 
tions that surround his workmen he is a fair 
and good master and no complaint is made 
by those under him of unjust dealings with 
them. Perfectly familiar with his work, he 
makes a faithful and reliable superintendent 
tor his superiors. As a citizen and as a man 
he is public-spirited and high minded. The 
great respect in which he is held shows the 
influence which he wields personally. He is 
n kind father, a good neighbor, and a stanch 
friend. He is an eminent, worthy, and useful 
member of society in the locality which he 
has chosen for his life work. 



~1''^.\NIEL YOST, deceased, was a con- 
I "^rj tractor and one of the most widely 
C^-m^ known and highly respected citizens 
of Shamokin, Coal tt)wnship. He was a son 
of Conrad and Sarah (SchoU) Yost. He was 
born in the Siiamokin \'alley. .\pril 22, 1822. 
and died January 4, i<S95. 



Our subject's father was born in Schuyl- 
kill County, Pa., but removed at an early 
date into Northumberland County, wdiere he 
followed agricultural pursuits throughout the 
remainder of his life and was a popular, pro- 
gressive and influential citizen. 

It was on his father's farm that our subject 
spent his boyhood, received his primary edu- 
cation, and when grown to manhood learned 
the carpenter trade, passing through the dif- 
ferent grades of apprenticeship, until he com- 
pletely mastered the business. He remained 
in Shamokin \'alley for several years, con- 
tracting and building with marked ability and 
success. In 1852 he removed to Shamokin, 
where he carried on his business more ex- 
tensively and secured greater profits. Sha- 
mokin at that time was in the midst of a 
building boom, and Mr. Yost received the 
contract for most of the large and substan- 
tial business buildings now standing in that 
town. In one building in particular he took 
especial pride, the Polish Roman Catholic 
Church, constructed by him, which is a superb 
structure, noted for its architectural beauty, 
and is one of the finest in design of the twenty 
large church edifices in Shamokin. 

On October 9. 1849, O"'' subject was united 
in marriage with Sarah Hoover, a daughter 
of John and Mary (Harmon) Hoover, and 
their home was blessed with nine children, 
all of whom have grown to noble manhood 
and womanhootl: Francis, who had excep- 
tional advantages, received a college educa- 
tion, and studied for the ministry, — for twen- 
ty-seven years he has expounded the doctrines 
of the Reformed Church, being now stationed 
at York, Pa.; John Addison, of Shamokin, 
a carpenter by trade; George, also a carpenter 
of Shamokin; Mary, wife of E. W. Deifler, 
of Shamokin; Lily, wife of Frank Nicolas 
and resides in the Green Mountain State; 



416 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Louisa, wife of W. Heckman, a i)rominent 

contractor of Sli.'iinokin ; Sally, wife of li(A)- 
ert Blair, of Johnstown, Pa.; Bertha and 
Laura, who are at home. John Hoover, fath- 
er-in-law of our subject, was horn in Berks 
County, Pa., Septeiuher 9, 1792, and died 
in 1856 at the age of se\enty-foin- years. 
l''arming was his sole vocation. In early life 
he removed from Berks Comity and settled 
in Shamokin Valley where he owneil one of 
tlie finest and best improved farms in that fer- 
tile district. 

Our subject was a good man ; he will long 
be remembered as one who laboretl unceas- 
ingly for the advancement of his township, 
wliere his memory is revered 1)y all who knew 
him. lie hatl been a member of the Re- 
formed Church since he was a boy and always 
took an active part in all church organiza- 
tions; he served as deacon of the church for 
many years and was justly considered one of 
its main-stays. 



^ '^ citiz 



LLL\M O. LIOLMES, mayor 
d one of the highly respected 
lizens of the town of Bloomsburg, 
and senior member of the firm, W. O. Holmes 
& Son, plumbers, gas and steamfitters at Nos. 
232 and 234 Center street, was born in Pool- 
ville, N. Y., June 20, 1842, and is a son of 
I'fev. William E. and Caroline (Olmstead) 
Holmes. 

Rev. William E. Plolmes was a native of 
the state of New- Hampshire and was a Pres- 
byterian minister all his life. He passed from 
this life at his home in Newtown, Pa. He 
formed a matrimonial alliance with Caroline 
Olmstead, who is also deceased. 

Our subject received his intellectual train- 
ing in the Wyoming Seminary and then went 
on a geological survey throughout the slate 



of New Jersey. He settled in Scranton, Pa., 
where he had resided but a short time when, 
in 1863, he enlisted in the signal corps and 
served through the closing years of the Rebel- 
lion. After the close of the war he returned to 
Scranton, Pa., and worked for Hunt Bros. & 
Blair, hardware merchants of that city for a 
short time; he was then employed as freight 
and baggage master at Kingston, Pa., for the 
D., L. & W. R. R. Li 1869 he removed to 
Bloomsburg and acted as general freight, bag- 
gage and depot agent for the same railroad 
company for six years. He then entered into 
partnership with E. K. Rollins and engaged 
in the tin smithing, gas fitting and plumbing 
business for eiglit years, the firm name being 
known as Rollins & Holmes. Later J. R. 
Schuyler was admitted to the firm and a com- 
plete stock of hardware was added to the lousi- 
ness. Our subject subsequently sold his in- 
terest and for three years acted as commerce 
agent for Shields Bros.' hardware house. He 
was ne.xt connected with Danville Stove 
W'orks and later established a branch store 
in Chicago. 111. In 1891 he bought out B. 
F. Savitts' plumbing" shop, which is located 
in the opera house block, and in 1898 his 
son, Edwin Morton Holmes, was admitted to 
the firm which is now known as W. O. 
Holmes & Son. The proprietors are well 
know'u throughout the township and by their 
honest methods of dealing have established a 
large patronage. Mr. Holmes purchased the 
Hartman residence and remodeled and en- 
larged it into a handsome home. 

Mr. Holmes was a member of the town 
council from 1874 to 1882 and was again 
elected to serve in that office in 1894-95 and 
in 1896 he was elected president of the coun- 
cil and mayor of the town. He was reelected 
mayor in the sjiring of 1898. 

Our subject was joined in marriage to 




D. WEBSTER SHIPMAN. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



419 



Cliristina I'auingardner, a ilaugliter of John 
and Catherine Banmgardner of Pittston, Pa. 
Mrs. Hohnes died in June, 1897, at the age 
of fifty-four years and left a family of five 
children, as follows: ^Villiam D. C. station 
agent at Catawissa, Pa., who united in mar- 
riage with Cora Hagenhauch, and two child- 
ren bless their home, \\'i!liam O. and D. Ed- 
ward; Fred, teller of the Farmers" National 
Bank of Bloomsburg, wedded to Edith Ent; 
Bessie, wife of A. N. Yost; Edwin M., the 
junior member of the firm of W. O. Holmes 
& Son; and Christina. 

Mr. Holmes is a member of Washington 
Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. AT., also past master 
of the same; of Chapter No. 218, R. A. M.; 
past commander of G. A. R. Post No. ^^o; 
and a member of the Sons of Veterans Camp 
No. 270. 



M 



WEBSTER SHIPMAN. Conspicu- 
ous among the young men of ster- 
* ling worth of the Seventeenth Con- 
gressional District of Pennsylvania, to whom 
business and professional work have given a 
W'ide acquaintance throughout the district, 
and whose public services are highly esteemed, 
is D. Webster Shipman, district attorney of 
Northumberland County, Pa., a rising young 
attorney with a good practice and excellent 
prospects. He is a son of Lemuel and Maria 
(Bloom) Shipman, and was born March t, 
1863, in what was then Lower Augusta, now 
Rockefeller, townshi]). 

Our subject's connuon .school education 
was finished with a course at Freeburg Acad- 
emy, which he entered in 1876. He after- 
ward spent three years at practical work in 
the office of the register and recorder at Sun- 
bury, after which he decided to choose a pro- 
fession for his life work and entered the Lewis- 



burg University in 1883, pursued tlie classi- 
cal course and graduated with high honors in 
1887, being a member of the first graduating 
class after the institution had changed from 
Lewisburg University to Bucknell Univer- 
sity. After graduating at Bucknell Univer- 
sity Mr. Shipman registered as a student of 
law with P. A. Mahon, who at that time was 
district attorney of Northumberland Countv. 
He was admitted to the bar in 1890 and im- 
mediately began the practice of his profes- 
sion; being a polished scholar and an eloquent 
speaker, he has met with flattering success 
and has succeeded in building up a practice 
which could be ol)tained only by a man of 
his exceptional abilities. His eloquence has 
attracted wide-s])read attention Jlnd on espe- 
cial occasions has excited many flattering 
compliments and has been instrumental in se- 
curing for him a place un the program of 
many public occasions. 

Mr. Shipman is a Democrat and was a can- 
didate in 1892 for the oflice of district attor- 
ney, but failed at the primary election. Our 
subject w^as not frightened from the field, how- 
ever, by this defeat and three years later was 
put in nomination for the same office, being 
duly elected by the handsome majority of 
1,100 votes, which fact alone attests his ability 
and worth. Again in 1898 he was renomi- 
nated by acclamation and re-elected to the 
same office. 

Our subject's family is of Norman stock: 
its founder having l)een knighted by Henr\ 
HL, of England in 1238, and granted a coat 
of arms with the following motto: "Non Sibi 
Sed Orbi." The family seat was at Sarring- 
ton, Nottinghamshire, England. Etlward 
Shipman was the founder of the Shipman 
family in America. In 1635 in company with 
Hugh Peters, John Daven])ort, Theodore 
Fenwick and others, he inunigrated to i\mer- 



420 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ica to escape religious persecution and set- 
tled at Sayhrook, Connecticut. Some of the 
older members of the Shipman family ren- 
dered valiant and distinguished services to 
their country during the Revolutionary War. 

John Shipman, great-grandfather of our 
suhjcct, was horn October 13, 1783, in New 
Jersey and died April 8, 1850. Early in life 
he settled in Lower Augusta township, North- 
umberland County, Pa., being one of the early 
pioneers. He was united in marriage with 
Alary McKiiniey, of Scotch descent, w'ho was 
born January 25, 1786. 

.\braliani Shipman, our sul)ject's grandfath- 
er, was a most remarkable man, such as is 
needed in the settlement of a new country. 
He was born March 10. 1810, in Northum- 
bci'laud ('oinity. of which he was a resident 
all his life, following agricultural pursuits, in 
connection with which he owned and operated 
a large grist-mill in Lower Augusta town- 
shi|). 1 [c also followctl the profession of civil 
engineer, at which he was quite an expert. 
Politically he was a stanch Democrat and 
wielded a large influence in political circles; 
he enjoyed to the fullest extent the confidence 
of the people of his community; served as 
justice of the peace for a long time; and was- 
also associate judge under Judge Jordan. ]^)e- 
ing a large, athletic man of military appear- 
ance, his presence was indispensable to mili- 
tary organizations, and he served as a mem 
ber of the Jackson Rilles from 1829 to 1836. 
He led a long, busy, and successful life which 
won for him the love, esteem and admiration 
of all who came within the magnetism of hi^ 
presence. He died at the old family home- 
stead where he had passed so many useful 
and happy years, mourned by a sympathetic 
and ai)]ireciative conununity. 

At this same homestead in Lower Augu.sta 
township was born Lonuicl Shipman, father 



of our subject. He was reared and educated 
in his native county, where he taught school 
for a number of years; then he became a 
merchant in the same township until he was 
elected register and recorder in 1873. He 
served two terms in succession and showed 
great e.xecuti\e ability in the discharge of the 
duties of that office. Railroad contracting 
next engaged his attention for a number of 
years in various localities, after which he pur- 
chased ail interest in the Lewisburg Furni- 
ture Works and became manager. He sub- 
sequently went South and engaged in the lum- 
ber business and is now manufacturing lum- 
ber in Meridian, Mississippi. He was mar- 
ried to Maria Bloom and four children sur- 
vive as the results of this union, named, re- 
spectively: \\'illiam A., who is engaged in 
the furniture and undertaking business at 
Sunbury; D. Webster, subject of this personal 
history; Edwin H., in the employ of the Sha- 
mokin Street Railway Company; Augusta, 
now the wife of S. C. Yocum, a teacher in 
the public schools of Northumberland Coun- 

Our subject is a man who is eminently fair 
in all his dealings; he is active, energetic, and 
talented, and the advances already made be- 
speak for him a brilliant future in the profes- 
sion he has chosen. His ])ortrait appears 
on another Jiage of this work in ])ro\iniity to 
this. 




Nl)Rl-:\\ li. C.VTHCART, ex-post- 
master and an honored and highly 
esteemed citizen of r)loonisburg, was 
born in the house in which he now resides De- 
cember 22, 1844. He is a son of Robert and 
Sarah (Barkley) Cathcart, a grandson of .An- 
drew and Margaret (Russell) Cathcart, and 
great-grandson of \\'illiam Cathcart. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



421 



William Cathcart was of Irish descent, and 
was I)oni in County Down, Ireland, May 2, 
1728. In company with his brothers, Joseph 
and John, he left his native country and im- 
migrated to the American shores, landing- July 
II, 1749. Andrew Cathcart, a son of William 
Cathcart. was born April 21, 1774, and ched in 
1833. He resided in Washington ville, Derby 
township, Montour County, Pa., and was a 
watchmaker by trade. In 1799 he was joined 
in marriage to Margaret Russell, who bore 
him the following children: Sally; Robert; 
Mary, who died in infancy; Mary; Jane; and 
Johi'i R. 

Robert Cathcart, the father of our subject, 
was l)orn in \\'ashingtonville, Montour Coun- 
ty, Pa., in 1803. He learned the watchmaking 
trade and worked with his father several years. 
In 1832 he moved to Bloomsburg, where he 
again took up his former trade. He pur- 
chased of Plenry ^\'ea\•er an old log cal)in, 
remodeled and covered it with clapboards, and 
lived there the remainder of his life. He and 
William G. Hurley owned all the land between 
Market and Fishing Creek streets north of 
First street. They built a cocoonery, im- 
ported silkworms and manufactured silk. 
The process was all by hand and the old 
building in which the cocoonery was located 
is still standing and has since been rebuilt into 
a dwelling house. Our subject has in his pos- 
session many skeins of raw silk. Mr. Cathcart 
was wedded to Sarah Barkley, who was born 
in 1808. They reared a family of two chil- 
dren : Margaret Jane was the wife of Calvin 
Achenliach, who was a regular in Company 
A, 6th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., during the Re- 
bellion, and was wounded in the battle at 
South Mountain, which wound later caused 
his death; and Andrew B., our subject. Mr. 
Cathcart entered the world of rest in 1884, at 
the age of eighty-one years, and his wife 



passed to the imknown in 1896, aged eighty- 
eight years. 

Andrew B. Cathcart attended the public 
schools of his native town and during his 
youthful days learned the profession of a 
druggist, and subsequently worked for L. X. 
Moyer of Bloomsburg for many years. From 
1881 to 1888 our subject served as deputy 
postmaster under Postmaster Beckley, and in 
1889 he was appointed postmaster and served 
four and one-half years. He has since lived 
in comparative retirement, looking after his 
business interests. For some time past he has 
served as secretary of the Bloomsburg ^^'ater 
Company. Known far and near for the ex- 
cellence of his judgment, his unswerving in- 
tegrity in business transactions, and his gener- 
ous liberality, Mr. Cathcart cannot but have 
the esteem and confidence of the commnnitv. 
He has been first and foremost in all good 
works and has taken a leading i)art in tiie 
material development of the town and the 
county, Ijesides contril^uting largely to moral, 
social and charital)Ie ol)jects. 




FORGE SCHILL, a highly respected 
citizen and prominent farmer of Flk- 
land township, Sullixan County, Pa., was born 
in Eisenoch, Saxony, Germany, Januarv 2, 
1830, and is a son of Gntilcili and Christiana 
(Reindom) Schill. 

George Schill, the suJjject of this biog- 
raphy, was reared and educated in Germanv. 
immigrating in 185 1 to New York City, 
where he worked at the carpenter's trade for 
three years. He then moved to Fox township. 
Sullivan County, Pa., where he bought iC)5 
acres of new land; after clearing the land he 
sold 50 acres and the remainder he still owns. 
He built a plank house and later a comi)lete 



422 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



set of farm buildings. Mr. Schill married 
Sarali McCarty, daugliter of Joel McCarty. 
This estimable lady died in 1S91 at the age of 
seventy years, leaving one child, Christiana, 
who married John Cook. They live in Chester 
County, and have three children: Blanche; 
John Wesley; and Marshal. April 6, 1893, 
Mr. Schill married I\Irs. E.sther Hart, widow 
of the late Robert Hart, who was born in the 
house now occupied by the subject of this 
sketch. He was a son of William and Char- 
lotte (Bullyon) Hart, natives of England, 
who \\erc among the earliest settlers of Elk- 
land townshi[), residing on the farm now 
owned by Mrs. Schill. Mr. and ]\Irs. Hart 
li\ed to be past sixty years of age and were 
the parents of six chiklren, as follows: Wil- 
liam; Cieorge; IMaria; Ellen; Robert; and 
James. Robert Hart came into the posses- 
sion of the old homestead and li\'cd there until 
he departed this life at the age of sixty, leav- 
ing a number of children, namely: Ida, who 
married Albin Wilcox, and is the mother of 
three children, — Walter, liLniche E., and 
(leorge Robert; Nettie, who married M. E. 
Wilcox, and they are the parents of two 
children, W ilnicr R., aii<l \\ ardie ^I.; Marilla. 
who married E. Norton, ami has one child. 
Harry R.; and Clarence R., who resides with 
our subject. 

Mrs. George Schill is a daughter of Thomas 
and Mary (Bird) Norton. Mr. Norton was 
born May 6, ]8o8, and died h\'l)ruary 2, 1884. 
Mrs. Norton, who li\cs with Mr. and Mrs. 
Schill, was born November 8, 1816, and is 
the mother of ten children: Esther, the wife 
of the subject of this sketch; William, who 
resides in Fox township, has been three times 
married and has two children, Perry and 
Lydia; Powell, whose biography appears 
elsewhere in this work; Emeline, who died 
at the age of fifteen years; Tra, who dicil at 



the age of eight months; Lydia, who married 
Daniel Miller; Maria, who married W. S. 
DiefYenbauch; Washington, who died at the 
age of twenty-five; George B., who married 
Jennie Campbell of Estella, Pa.; and James, 
who died at the age of fourteen vears. 



trJ)/^INTHR( 
VfeV whose rep 



OP C. BRYFOGLE, 
reputation as a florist is sec- 
ond to none in this section of the 
state, is proprietor of the Riverside Floral 
Gardens and Hot House of Bloomsburg, Pa. 
He is a son of Daniel and Einma (Gould) 
Bryfogle, and was bom .\\n-i] 10, lSC^^, at Bel- 
bend, Luzerne County, Pa. 

Our subject is a great-grandson of Dan- 
iel Bryfogle, who was the first of his ances- 
tors to come to this country. His son Jacob, 
the grandfather of our subject, was born in 
Berks County about the year 1803 and was 
one of the substantial farmers of the com- 
munity in which he lived. He was united 
in matrimonial bonds to Elizabeth Keen, a 
daughter of John Keen, by whom he had 
eleven children, namely: Daniel, the father 
of our subject; Philip; John; ^lary; Elizabeth; 
Maria; Amanda; Susanna; Catherine; Sarah; 
and Hannah. 

Daniel Bryfogle, father of the subject of this 
personal history, was born in Schuylkill Coun- 
ty where he began his active career as an 
agriculturist. In 1873 he moved to Blooms- 
burg and purchased a farm of 105 acres, 
known as the Paxton farm, remodeled and 
enlarged the house, and lived there until his 
death, which occurred in 1897. He also made 
many other imi)r()vements which are so nec- 
essary for successful farming. He also bought 
Mrs. Brown's farm of thirty-five acres in Hem- 
lock townshii) and was one of the leading 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



423 



agriculturists of Columbia Coiuity. He faith- 
fully performed the duties of a good citizen 
and stood very high in public esteem. He 
formed a matrimonial alliance with Emma 
Gould, a daughter of John Gould of Ply- 
mouth, Pa., and she still survives him. They 
reared and educated a family of children un- 
der religious influences as follows: Jacob, 
deceased; Sarah, deceased; W'inthrop C., the 
subject of this .sketch; Eleanora. who mar- 
ried H. G. Supplee of Bloomsburg; Estella, de- 
ceased; Stanley G., who resides on the old 
homestead; and Philip deceased." 

Winthrop C. Bryfogle attended the public 
schools and lived upon the farm during his 
early days. Even in youth he had a deep 
love for flowers and spent a great deal of his 
spare time in their culture. At the age of 
eighteen years he constructed a hot house, 
lo by 45 feet, on the home farm in which 
he began to cultivate roses, carnations, and 
potted plants. Beginning in this small way 
he paid the strictest attention to his favorite 
occupation, enlarging from time to time when 
his business justified and his pocketbook per- 
mitted, until lie now has one of the largest 
floral gardens in this section of the state. 
The hot-house is inclosed by 12,000 square 
feet of glass, and is supplied with three boil- 
ers, one of sixty horse-power and the other 
two of twenty horse-power each. ]\Ir. Bry- 
fogle makes a specialty of cut flowers and 
has a very large patronage among the lead- 
ing citizens in the county. He supplies flow- 
ers for weddings, funerals, and social gather- 
ings, having many unique and original de- 
signs which take very well with his custom- 
ers. He also has a large wholesale trade and 
supplies many of the florists in the larger cities 
of the state. He also is engaged in market 
gardening and furnishes the town of Blooms- 
burg with most of her xegetables. He is well 



known f(ir his honesty and integrity and is 
firmly establisliod in the good will of the peo- 
ple. 

Mr. Bryfogle was joined in Hymen's bonds' 
to Clara Mensch, a daughter of John Mensch 
of Rupert, Pa., and they are the happy pa- 
rents of four children, as follows: Dora Ber- 
nice: Hugh O.; Max W.; and John I\I. In 
political belief Mr. Bryfogle is a firm supporter 
of the principles of the Republican party. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of 
Malta: and a former member of the I. O. O. F. 




IIARLES H. REI]\L\RD, whose rep- 
utation as a contractor and builder 
extends throughout this section of 
the state, is at present engaged in that line of 
work for the Philadelphia & Reading R. R. 
He is a son of John and Matilda (Hildebrand) 
Reimard and was born in the town of Blooms- 
burg, September 29, 1862, which he has al- 
ways made his home. 

Our subject's great-grandfather was Calel) 
Reimard, who was born in Germany, and upon 
coming to America settled in Northampton 
County, Pa., where he was engaged in tilling 
the soil. He lived a long and useful life, dy- 
ing at the advanced age of eighty years. He 
was the father of the following children: John; 
George; Catherine; Isaac, the grandfather of 
our subject; and several others who died in 
infancy. 

Isaac Reimard was born in Northampton 
County in 1839, but early in life migrated to 
Montour County, settling near Washington- 
ville, where he engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits the remainder of his life. He was united 
in marriage to Elizabeth Smith, a daughter of 
lohn Smith of Northampton County, by 
whom he had the following issue: Daniel; Isa- 



424 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



bclla: Betsey; Sarali; John, tlie father of our 
subject; Mary; Henry; Susan; Harriet; and 
Isaac, George, and Hannali, wlio died in 
childhood. Mr. Keiniard died at the age of 
forty-nine years and his worthy wife survived 
him many years, dyintj at the advanced age 
of eiglity-nine years. 

Jolm l\cimard, our subject's fatlier. was 
born in Nortliampton County, IMarch 2, 1837, 
and was eighteen years of age when he moved 
with Iiis parents to Montour County, where he 
learned the trade of a brick and stone mason. 
He, practically, has followed that occupation 
since and has been exceedingly successfr.l. In 
1859 he located in Rloomsburg and erected a 
home on Sixtii street, in which he lived for 
many years. He finally sold that pro])erty 
and built his present home on the corner of 
Fourth and Railroad streets. He formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Matilda Hilde- 
brand, a daughter of David and Sophia (Pa- 
den) Hildebrand. Her grandfather was Wil- 
liam Hildebrand, who was a miller by trade 
and lived in Fishing Creek township, Colum- 
bia County. His companion in life was .\de- 
line Fausby and they reared a family of eight 
children, namely: David, the father of Mrs. 
Reimard; Polly; Nancy; Catherine; Betsey; 
Susan; Martha; and Sally. David Hildebrand 
was born in New Jersey, removed to Columbia 
County, where he was engaged in farming in 
Orange township. He died at the age of eigh- 
ty-three years and his wife was ten years 
}'ounger when she jKisscd into the eternal 
realms. Mrs. Hildebrand's maiden name was 
Sophia Paden. and the following children 
were born to them: William; Jacob; Lovina; 
John; Catherine; Matilda, our sul)ject's 
mother; Sarah; Elizabeth; Elmira; Samuel; 
and David. Mr. and Mrs. Reimard's union was 
blessed by the birth of five children, whose rec- 
ords are as follows: Harve}', a brickmason b\ 



occupation, married Elizabeth Wolf, and they 
are the parents of one daughter, Velma; Sa- 
die, wife of C. E. Whitenight; Howard R., a 
mason; Emma, a weaver; and Charles H., 
the record of whose life is here given. 

Charles H. Reimard received his education 
in the common schools and learned the trade 
of a mason at the age of sixteen years. As he 
gained ra2idly in experience he decided to en- 
gage in contracting, and accepted his first 
contract on heavy jobs in 1886. He built the 
foundations for many of the best residences in 
the town of Bloomsburg, also for the silk mill, 
jniblic school, desk works, and other large 
concerns. He al\va}'s filled the contracts to 
the letter, never cutting any part to meet ex- 
penses, and by his honesty and straightfor- 
wardness won the confidence and good will 
of his fellow-townsmen, who never hesitated 
to place a contract with him. His services were 
in greater demand as his reputation grew, and 
in 1889 he was called to the position of super- 
intendent of masonry on the Philadelphia & 
Reading R. R., from Catawissa to IMilton, and 
lias since served in that cajiacity. In 1894 he 
was also made superintendent of the construc- 
tion of the double track to Muncy River 
bridge. He had charge of the Catawissa di- 
vision for three years and was superintendent 
of the building of the Belt Line R. R. of 
Bloomsburg. At present he is acting as super- 
intendent in building the iron bridge across 
the Juniata River at Birmingham for the state. 
It is the first ri\'er bridge ever built by the 
stale, and Mr. Reimard's work is pronounced 
lirst-class in every respect antl fully meets the 
requirements. P)y his kind, but strict, methods 
of dealing with the men under his charge he 
obtains the best results and retains their re- 
si)ect and good will. 

In 1893 Mr. Reimard built a handsome resi- 
dence at No. 225 Fourth street, where he and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



426 



Ills family have since resided. He was united 
in matrimonial l)onds to Ella Madara, a 
(laughter of Charles Madara, a retired stone- 
mason of Danville, Pa., and they are the hap- 
py parents of four children: Clara, deceased, 
who was born at Danville, Pa; Cora Irene, 
who was born in Williamsport July 9, 1888; 
John C, who was born in Bloomslnu'g", Jan- 
uary 15, 1892; and one who died in infancy. 
In politics our subject is a stanch Democrat. 




KISTOPHER A. KLEIM is one of 
the enterprising and influential citi- 
zens of the town of Bloomsburg who 
is held in high esteem by the citizens of that 
community, and is proprietor of the leading 
drug store of that town. He was born in the 
city of Philadelphia August 30. 1847, and 
is a son of Henry and Dorotha (Eicholtz) 
Kleim. 

Henry Kleim, the father of our subject, was 
born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and during 
his boyhood days learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker which he followed until 1846 when he 
and his family immigrated to the United 
States and located in Philadelphia. In 1857 he 
moved to Bloomsburg, Columbia County, 
Pa., and for a short time followed his trade 
l)ut soon gave it up and conducted a grocery 
store on East street; later he disposed of his 
grocery store and put in a full line of hard- 
ware at Mt. Carmel and carried on that busi- 
ness until he retired from active life. Mr. 
Kleim was united in the bonds of wedlock to 
Dorotha Eicholtz, a native of Saxony, Ger- 
many. As a result of this union the follow- 
ing children were born to them : Christopher 
A., the subject of this sketch; Annie, the wife 
of C. McArthur of Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Henry 
F., a highly respected resident of Wilkesbarre; 



and Lizzie, deceased, wdio was the wife of 
C. A. Prentiss and resided in New Brunswick, 
\. ]., at the time of her death. The father and 
mother of our subject were both popular 
members of the Lutheran Church of which 
Mr. Kleim was treasurer for many years. 

Our subject first attended the public schools 
of Philadelphia and when his father moved to 
Bloomsburg, he finished his education in the 
classical schools conducted in that town by 
Henry Carver. He then entered the drug 
store of Moyer Brothers and remained in their 
employ four years. In 1872 he embarked in 
the drug business and bought out E. P. Lutz; 
later he purchased the brick block where Salt- 
zer's music store is now located and there our 
subject conducted his business until 1894 
when he purchased a vacant lot on West Main 
street and erected a handsome brick store. 
The store is a three-story structure, the first 
lloor being used for his drug store and the 
second and third floors as a dwelling by our 
subject and family. He carries a complete 
line of drugs and conducts the largest and 
best kept drug store in Bloomsburg. He is 
popular with his fellow-citizens and by his 
honest and straightforward dealings has suc- 
ceeded in establishing a large patronage. He 
also has done considerable building; in i(S84 
he bought the Buckalew house on West Main 
street, which he enlarged and remodeled and 
later sold; in 1885 he built the Reuben Hess 
residence on Third street; in company with 
C. \V. Runyon he built on Pine alley a large 
double house; he owns a tenement house at 
No. 260 East Fifth street. 

Mr. Kleim chose for his life-companion_ 
Clara J. Seasholtz, a daughter of C. B. Sea- 
sholtz, and they were wedded in 1872. She 
passed from this life leaving one child, Harry 
C born in 1873, who is clerking in his father's 
store; he was a gratluate from the public 



426 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



schools and later graduated from the lilooms- 
i>iirg High School. Our subject formed a 
second matrimonial alliance September 9, 
1S84, with Addie Johnson, a daughter of Wes- 
ley Johnson, a resident of Jerseytown, Colum- 
bia County. Two children blessed this union, 
Helen D., born in October, 1891, and Flor- 
ence, who died in infancy. 

Mr. Kleim firmly advocates the principles 
of the Democratic party and has served as 
secretary of the Democratic county committee 
two terms and as overseer of the poor and 
school director. He is also vice-president of 
the Farmers' National Bank of Bloomsburg 
and is a director of the Rosemont Cemetery. 
J\Ir. Klcim and bis family are members of St. 
Matthew's Lutheran Church of Bloomsburg 




RS. CHRISTIANNA C. UlliD. 
who resides in a handsome home 
in the borough of Nortlumibcrland, 
is the widow of Joseph Bird, who for many 
years was one of the foremost business men 
in Northumberland County, Pa. He was a 
son of Ziba and Hannah (Mentz) Bird, and 
was born in 1814 on Little Roaring Creek in 
Rush township, Northumberland County. 

James Bird, grandfather of Jo.seph Bird, 
was born in Warren County, N. J., and was 
one of the pioneer settlers of Rush township, 
Northumberland County, Pa., where he pur- 
chased a large tract of wild and uncultixated 
land on Little Roaring Creek. He was the 
father of the following children: John; Ra- 
chel; Sarah; Susanna: Ziba; James; Joseph; 
\\'il!iam; and Sylvanus. 

Ziba Bird, the father of our subject, was 
born in Warren County, N. J., and, upon 
moving to Rush township, Northumberland 
Countv, with his father, he aided in clearing 



the farm and later learned the trade of a car- 
penter. He made the acquaintance of John 
C. I>oyd. a prominent citizen of Danville, by 
whom he was engaged to superintend his 
mining o])erations in Shanidkin. j\Ir. Bird 
erected the first two buildings in what is now 
the borough of Shamokin anil they are to-day 
known as the National and Vanderbilt hotels. 
He also erected many other buildings at that 
place. He also was interested in coal opera- 
tions for several years but retired when the 
business relaxed, moving to Rush township, 
where he followed farming. He subsequently 
purchased a home at Red Point, on the Sus- 
quehanna River, and there resided until his 
death at the age of sixty-five years. He was 
married three times, first to LLannah Mentz, 
who died at an early age. Their children were 
as follows: Annie; Josejih; Catherine; Sarah; 
and Elizabeth. His second union was with a 
Miss Farley and they reared three children: 
John; Hannah; and Ziba. He next married 
Margaret Muchler by whom he had the fol- 
lowing ofifspring: I\Iary J.; William; Nel- 
son; Montgomery; Eliza; Emma; Samuel; 
Margaret M.; and three who died in infancy. 
Joseph Bird acquired his intellectual train- 
ing in the common and private schools and 
assisted his father in the duties about the farm. 
When his father became sui)crintendent in 
the coal fields at Shamokin and on the rail- 
road established by Mr. Boyd, Joseph became 
his assistant and in that capacity gained a wide 
experience in the business world. He then 
conducted a coal business in his own behalf 
at .\shland for one year, and later formed a 
partnership with J. J. John, M. D., and J. B. 
Doutz, Esq., for the purpose of operating the 
Big Mountain Colliery. This they did imder 
the firm name. Bird, Doutz & John, and it 
proved to be a very valuable coal field. Our 
subject soon became sole owner and con- 




GEO. W. MEARS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



429 



ducted tlic colliery for eight years with the 
greatest success, when he sold out to the 
Bird Coal & Iron Company, in which he was 
a large stockholder. Having previously 
bought the magnificent building in which 
the First National Bank of Northumberland 
w'as located, he mo\-ed to Nortluunberland in 
1866. The bank then ino\'ed to Sunbury and 
a new Ijauk was established which has since 
been known as the First National Bank of 
Northumberland Borough. This large brick 
Iniilding, with massive pillars in the front, was 
the finest and most costly building in the 
county; in order to a]ipreciate its grandeur 
it nnist be seen. ft is now furnished in 
luxurious style and the parlor walls are 
adorned with fine jiaintings. Mr. Bird also 
was the owner of a number of choice fru'ins in 
that section, one being J'ackcr Island, which 
is considered one of the best f.'irms in the 
valley. He was identified with man\- of the 
business enterprises of that borough and lived 
there until his death on June 18, 1882. He 
was a man of high character and one who 
merited and enjoyed the respect of all. fie 
was sociable and a pleasant con\ersation;dist, 
and he accjuired ;md retained the friendship of 
many people in llie wu'ions sections in which 
he resided. 

Mr. I'lird was jciined in lunieneal bcmds 
with Keliecca Kram, a daughter of Jacob 
Kr;im. a pioneer liotel-kee])er of Shamokin, 
and they became the parents of three child- 
ren: Susan, who first married William Sny- 
der, and after his death married L. L. Haas; 
Eilzabeth, the wife of Patrick Gillespie; and 
Wellington, who died at the age of fourteen 
years. Mrs. Rebecca Bird died at an early 
age some ten years after marriage, and he sub- 
sequently formed a second alliance with Cath- 
erine Hill, a daughter of George Hill of 
Shamokin, and she died without issue. He 



formed a third miion with Christianna C. 
Kram, the subject of this sketch, wdio is a 
daughter of David Kram of Bethlehem, Pa., 
and a granddaughter of Joseph Kram. Mrs. 
Bird has carried out the i)lans made 1)\' her 
husband prior to his death with great ability, 
having remodeled the house, built a mansard 
roof, and made many other im])ortant im- 
l)rovements. She is a w-oman possessed of 
many virtues and is held in the highest es- 
teem by all who know her. Religiously Mrs. 
Bird is a consistent member of the Presby- 
terian Church, as was her husband. Socially 
Mr. Bird was a member of the Masonic Order. 




1^) FORGE W. MEARS, wno.se por- 
3l trait is presented on the opposite 
l)age, made an enviable record as ;i 
soldier in the Civil War, and is at present 
serving efficiently as telegraph o])erator and 
agent for the D., L. & W. K. R. at Rupert. 
He is a son of .Alexander and Phoebe 
(Knouse) Mears, and was born in Blooms- 
burg. Columbia County. Jamiary 3, 1843. 

Our subject's grandfather, wSamuel Mears, 
was one of the i)ioneer settlers of Roaring 
Creek, Columbia Comity, where he followed 
the trade of a shoemaker. He was united in 
marriage with Sarah Evans and they reared a 
family of si.x children, four sons and two 
daughters, one of whom was Alexamler 
Mears, the father of our subject, who was born 
in the Roaring- Creek settlement and reared 
under Quaker influences. Early in life he 
learned the trades of wagonmaker and carpen- 
ter, and also served an apprenticeship to the 
trade of machinist, .\lthough he died in the 
prime of life, at the age of thirty-nine years, 
he was a man of wide experience and consid- 
erable mechanical skill. He was employed at 
the old Irondale furnaces at Bloomsburg fcjr 



430 



r.doK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



many years ami also servcil as a pallcrnmaker 
for still K' lime at the fdiimlrv nf Lewis, Moss 
iV Co., of IJloomshtii ;;'. lie also did some 
iKiiiractiiiy for tlic oM Calawissa Railrinid. 
lie was united in luiiieneal l)on(ls to Phoelie 
Knoiisc, liy whom he was the father of three 
sons, namely; Cleorj^e \\'., in whom the in- 
terest of this sketch centers; Alfred M.. who 
was a soldier in the C'i\il War. servinj.;' in 
C"nmi)any M, 112th Reg., l*a. \'ol. Inf., and 
met death at Petersburg. \'a.. after two 
months' service; John B., who was a niolder 
hy trade and a soldier of the Civil War, be- 
longing originally to Comi)an\- H, 10311 I'ieg., 
Pa. Vol. Inf., but later enlisted in another 
compan}', — he is now a letter-carrier in Chi- 
cago, III. 

(ieurge W. Clears was intellectually 
ecjuippcd for the battles of life in the ])ublic 
schools of Bloomsburg and at the breaking 
t)Ut of the war enlisted in Com])any A, Ath 
Keg., Pa. Vol. Inf., July 4, i8bi, and was con- 
nected with the Army of the Potomac. He 
enlisted as a ])ri\-ate and was later promoted 
to sergeant. He i)articipated in many im- 
portant battles, always displaying bravery and 
an eagerness to do his full duty. He took 
jtart in the battles of Dranesville; Grovetown; 
Second Bull Run; South ^Mountain; Antie- 
tam; Fredericksburg; Gettysburg; Rappahan- 
nock Station; and Mine Run. At Fredericks- 
burg he narrowly escaped death from a minie 
l)all, which, fortunately, hit his l)elt buckle and 
only slightly injuretl him. During the battle 
of Gettysburg he and a few of his comrades 
charged on a log house filled with rebel sharp- 
shooters who w'ere playing on the Union lines 
with deadly effect, and for this act of bravery 
he was awarded a medal by Congress in Feb- 
ruary, 1897. At Mine Run he was struck by 
a piece of flying shell, which fractured his 
left arm and necessitated its amputation at the 



shoulder. The smgeons in attendance took 

out so many pieces of the shouliler Ixme lh.it 
they gave u]) all lio])es of his recovery, but 
his wonderful constitution and vitality assert- 
ed itself and in i"i\e weeks he was able to re- 
turn to his home in liloomsbnrg. A piece 
of his shoidder bt)ne is ikjw in the Medical 
Museum at Washington, D. C. After fully 
recovering his health he learned telegraphy 
and became an operator at Danville, where he 
continued for five years, and then accepted his 
present position as telegraph operator, station 
agent, and express agent for the D., L. 1.^ W. 
R. R. at l\ii])ert. He performs his duties in 
a satisfacttiry manner and has the respect of 
all with whom he is ac(|uainted, both in busi- 
ness and social relations. He is of a genial 
disposition, and is a i)leasant conversatimial- 
ist, and his friends delight in hearing him re- 
late war reminiscences. 

On June 9, 1870, our subject was united in 
marriage with Mary A. A])])lcman, a daughter 
of Mathias Appleman, a retired farmer and 
resident of Bloomsburg. This marriage has 
been productive of seven children; Welling- 
ton E., deceased; Elmer A., a car inspector 
on the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad at 
Ru])ei"t; H. Reber. who assists his father at 
the depot; Othello, who died at the age of 
eleven years; Ulysses Grant; George W^. Jr., 
deceased; and Mathias K. He is past ser- 
geant of L'nion ^'eteran's Legion, No. 32, of 
Bloomslnirg; and was formerl}- a member of 
the (j. A. K. I'oliticaly he is a firm supporter 
of the principles of the Republican party 
w hich party nominated him for the State Leg- 
islature in 1890. 



7^ ORTEZ B. ROBBINS, a descendant of 
I J| one of the pioneer families of Green- 

^^i ' wood township. Columbia County, 

late the [jroprietor of a large wholesale liquor 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



431 



house of Bloomsl:)urg", being an enterprising 
and progressive citizen of that town. He is 
a son of Daniel A\'. and Harriet (Ager) Rob- 
bins, and was born in Greenwood township, 
Cohnnbia County, September 4, 1858. 

Daniel W. Rol)l)ins. father of our subject, 
was a sur\'eyor during his younger days hav- 
ing learned the profession fr<iiu his father 
who also followed that occupation. Later he 
became a teacher in the public schools in tlif- 
ferent sections of the count)-. In the early 
50's he moved to Lumber City, Clearfield 
County, Pa., where he erected the first build- 
ing in that town. Wishing to locate pernia- 
i.enJly he came to Bloomsburg in ]8()0, and 
established a wholesale licpior house wiiich he 
conducted the remainder of his life. He was 
a man of noble impulses, kind and charitab'e, 
and no man stood higher in [)ul>hc esteem, 
ffe folded his hands in final rest May jo, 1880, 
in the fifty-innth year of his age. lie was a 
man of high educational attainments and was 
thoroughly abreast of the tinics on matters of 
current interest. He was united in hymeneal 
bonds to Harriet .\ger and th.ey l)ecame the 
happy parents of twu children: Lizzie M., 
and Cortez B. Althougli Mr. Robbins took 
an active interest in matters of a political na- 
ture he never aspired to of^ce being content 
to live the life of a private citizen. He al- 
ways voted uniformly and conscientiously for 
the Democratic party. Pie was an Odd Fel- 
low. 

Cortez 1j. Robbins, in whom the interest 
of this sketch centers, obtained his [jrimary 
education from private tutors, attended the 
Bloomsburg State Normal School for a time 
and completed his study at Clinton Seminary. 
He then began clerking in a drug store at 
Danville, Montour County, but owing to fail- 
ing health he was compelled to relinquish 
that occupation for one which al'forded more 



out-of-door exercise. After his father's demise 
he succeeded him as proprietor of the whole- 
sale licpior business and conducted it from that 
time to August, 1898, wheri he sold the ]:)usi- 
ness to J. S. Bachman. He had enlarged the 
establishment to some extent and carried a 
comprehensive line of fine wines and litjuors. 
He has always been an active and energetic 
citizen and the promoter of various indus- 
trial enterprises. A somewhat remarkab'e 
and a highly commendable characteristic of 
Mr. Robbins is that he has never tasted to- 
bacco or used it in any form, nor licpiors, to 
which excellent habits he undoubtedly owes 
his present excellent health. He has erected 
a fine brick residence at No. 35J East Sec- 
ond street, which is fitted with all modern im- 
jjrovements and is a very desirable piece of 
property. His mother resided with him at 
the time of her death. May 17, 1898. Mr. 
Rob])ins being a single man, since his moth- 
er's deatli his only sister, Lizzie M., has had 
charge of the household. 

Mr. Robbins is a member of Washington 
Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M. of Bloomslnirg; 
Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.; 
is P. E. C. of Mount Moriah Council No. 10, 
of Bloomsburg: a mcml:)er of Crusade Com- 
mandery. No. 12, K. T. ; and a member of 
the Mvstic Shrine. 



ICTOR A. LOTIER, publisher and 
editor of the Daily Record and Week- 
ly Record of Danville, Pa., is one of the prom- 
inent journalists of Montour County, and a 
highly respected citizen. He was born in the 
city of New York, December 15, 1842, and is 
a son of Benjannn and x-Vnna (Ronk) Lotier. 
Benjamin Lotier was of French descent 
and was born in the city of New York, and 
d.urino- his earlv davs was a silver engraver. 




433 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



wliicli business lie fullowccl in Xcw \nvk Citv. 
Boston, Jind Philaiiclpliia. lie wedded Anna 
Ronk, a native of J'ougidveepsie, X. Y. Our 
>-ul)ject's faliier ])assed from lids life at the age 
uf sixty-nine years. 

\ ictor .\. Lotier acquired a liberal educa- 
tion in llie i)id)lic schools of rhiladeli)hia and 
in 1854 moved to I)an\ille where he found, 
emiiloyment in the rolling--niills of that 
town. In 1862 lie was in the state of Rhode 
Island and shortly after his arrival there he 
enlisted in Company E, 3d Keg., R. 1. Cav., 
and served tln-oughout the Civil War. He 
was first elected conimis.sary-sergeant l)ut 
was soon promoted to the rank of orderlv 
sergeant. He received an honor.ible discharge 
at New Orleans. La., in 1863. and then s])ent 
one year in traveling through the western 
states. Retnrm'ng to Danville. I'a.. he as- 
sumed the duties of his former position in 
the rolling-mill, remaining until 1S71, when 
he purchased the Danville Marble Works; he 
also became a stockholder in the Record Pub- 
lishing Company of that town. April i, 1878, 
James Foster, Harry A'incent. and our sul> 
ject purchased tlie Danville Reconl. which | 
was estalilished by A. P. Fowler. Tlie Dan- 
\ille Record was formerly edited by Mr. Brow- 
er, and was an independent paper, the first 
edition having been issued March 16. 1876. 
AVhen these gentlemen took possession of the 
paper it was known as the Weekly National 
Record; later our subject became sole pro- 
l)rictor and the paper was then known as the 
Weekly Record. May 23, 1881, our subject 
started the Daily Record which has a good 
country from which to draw its jiatronage; 
it has a circulation of 700 and the weekly 
paper about 900 circulation. Mr. Lotier has 
thoroughly mastered the newspaper business 
and understands liow to conduct a paper. The 
reading matter (.)f the Dailv and Wcekl\- 



Record is well selected, its editorials are good, 
and its local news is admirably presented. 

Mr. Lotier was united in marriage to b'annv 
Hughes, a daughter of Peter Hughes, and a 
family of two children blessed their Ixinie. 
namely: Homer H., a resident of Camden, 
X. J., who married Anna ^^ln-phy of Philadel- 
phia; :md Walter M.. a printer on the Sport- 
ing Life of Philadelphia, who is married and 
has a son. Homer. 

— — • • ♦. — — 

/^3)b:oR(.;E .S. .S-rh:RlJX(i. foreman of 
\|5| the Mount C.irmel iron Works, is an 
esteemed and highly-respected citi- 
zen of Mount Carniel. Pa., and has done 
mucli to further the progress of the town, lie 
is a man of splendid ;d)ilities and good judg- 
ment, his opinion being nuich sought after. 
Mr. Sterling is a son of Clintcjn B. ;md Lucy 
(Loreman) Sterling, and was born .\pril 20, 
1864, in Bloomsburg, Pa. 

Clinton B. Sterling, father of our subject, 
was born in October, 1837, in Colundiia 
County, where he spent most cjf his life. ;nid 
at present his home is in Bloomsburg. Pa. 
His occupation, in his active life, was always 
that of a teamster, and he was widely known 
throughout the county. He has alwavs been 
a stanch Democrat and has taken a verv act- 
ive i)art in the town politics, having served 
as councilman for his native town thirteen 
consecutive years: then, after a vear out of 
ofifice. he again served two years more, and 
was urgently requested to continue to serve 
but refused. In church affairs he has been 
equally active, being a member of the Presby- 
terian Church, and has served as elder in the 
Reformed Church. Mr. Sterling married 
Lucy Loreman, a daughter of Samuel Lore- 
man, and they are the parents of nine chil- 
dren. si.\ of whom are li\inc;'. 




SAMUEL EDWARD UeARMOND. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



435 



Georg'e S. Sterling-, the subject of tliis l)iog- 
raphy, was educated in the common schools 
of BIoomsl)urg, and at the age of seventeen 
entered tlie wood department of the Blooms- 
hurg Car Sliops, wliere he remained one year, 
leaving at the end of that period to attend 
school. After one year's schooling, on March 
6 of the following year, he entered the em- 
ploy of Harman & Hassert to learn the trade 
of a molder. .\ftcr six years in that ))usiness 
he was ill for a year. When his health jier- 
niitted he began work in the r>]ii(misl)nrg 
J^esk l'actcir\', ami remained wiili ilial com- 
]ian\" for fixe \cars, when he remoxed to 
Momil ('armel and hecp.nie n'lc of the organ- 
i/ers of llic MomU (armel Irun WUrks. Me 
was one of the directors imtil iSnj, when he 
resigned. Mr. ."Sterling h;is splendid lnisiness 
abilities, and li.i> .ilw.avs apphed himself with 
earneslnt'^s and diligence. lie has .-ilw.'us 
been an active worker in the town ])olitics, 
and is constanth' looking after the interests 
of his parl\-. lie is ;i member of the 1. ( ). (). 
F. lodge at Mount Carmel. 

Mr. Sterling married Jtllen Neyhard, a 
daughter of Samuel Neyhard of P>loomsbm\g, 
and they have been blessed with two children, 
Myron and Francis. Mr. .Sterling has a large 
circle of warm friends in llie count\' and is 
wi-ll known. 




AMUEL FDW.Ma) De.VRMOND, 
retirerl, and one of the most highly 
esteemed citizens of \\'atsontown, 
Northumberland Countv, I'a., was born in 
Delaware townshi]) in the county in which 
he now resides, lirst seeing the light of day 
near the \\'arrior's Run Church on June <;. 
1855. He is a son of the late Samuel and 
Rebecca G. (Ferguson) De.Xrmond. a grand- 
son of Samuel and Fsther (Wallace) De.Xr- 



mond, and a great-grandson of Thomas De- 
Armond, whose wife's name has not been 
handed down in the family record. 

Our subject comes of a family wdiose found- 
ers were among the earliest settlers in this 
state and he possesses among other relics a 
deed for land purchased by his great-grand- 
father, Thomas De.\rmond, as far back as 
1793. This deed, which is of great historical 
interest, was given by John and Thomas Penn 
to Frederick Watts and is dated June 22, 1775. 
It con\eyed a tract of joo acres which subse- 
quently was bought l)y Thomas DeArmond 
and now forms ]iart of the estate which finally 
descended to the subject of this sketch. 

Educated in the public schools and at the 
Eloomsburg State Normal School, Sanuiel 
Edward De.Xrmond has devoted his abilit\' 
.•mil energ\', sub.stantialh', to excellcntlx' car- 
ing for his pareiUs and successfulK' managing 
the estate, lie has lieen a large dealer in real 
estate and has been also foremost in pro- 
moting the growth and jirogress of W atson- 
town, in which he always has taken an active 
and most helpful interest. Our sul)ject is a 
stockholder in the Farmers' National Bank of 
Watsontown, which owes much of its jiros- 
perity and success to his energetic ami wise 
efforts. As have been his father, and mother 
anil the family back for generations, Mr. De 
.Xrmond is a I 'resl>\'terian. In politics he is a 
l)emocral, but ne\er has ;ispired {o hoM of- 
fice. 

Thomas De.Xrmond, great-grandfather of 
our subject, with his wife and children, came 
from County Donegal, Ireland, to this coun- 
try and first located in Dauphin County, this 
state. In 1793 the family removed to North- 
umberland County, the head of the f;nnil\- 
buying the tract of land heretofore referred to. 
Thomas De.Xrmond partly cleared the land 
and passed the remainder of his \e.ars upon 



430 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the spot chosen as his final ht)nie. lie and 
his wife Hved to "ripe old age" and both 
])eacefully lie in the cenieter)' at W'arrior's 
]^nn Church. Their children, so far as the fam- 
ily can state, were three sons, — Sanniel, John 
and Robert. Of these, Samuel was born in Ire- 
land and was ten years old when his father 
settled in Northumberland Count}-. Samuel 
assisted in clearing the tract of land, followed 
farming all his life and died in 1842. His wife 
survix'ed him until 1851, when she, too, was 
laid in the cemetery at \\'arri{)r's Run 
Church. Their children were: John; Thom- 
as; Samuel, father of our subject; ^\'illiam; 
Hester; Martha; Margaret; and Mattie. 

The father of our subject, Samuel DeAr- 
mond, was born on the farm herein mentioned 
on March 22, 181 1. He received a common 
school education. He and his brother Thom- 
as were left the handsome estate to which 
they added considerably until it became cjuite 
a valuable property. Samuel was unusually 
successful in his ventures and he retired from 
active farming or other pursuits in 1873 and 
built the handsome brick residence on the 
southeast corner of Sixth and Mum streets in 
Watsontown where he died April 3, 1898 — 
twenty-five years to a day since he arrived 
in the township. This residence is now occu- 
pied by our suljject and his wife. Thomas re- 
mained on the farm until his tleath'. Samuel 
was a Democrat and somewhat active in local 
politics. He served as auditor of the town- 
ship and a member of the school board in 
W'atsontown. 

Mrs. DeArmond, mother of our subject, 
])assed from this life November i, 1898. She 
was born Septeml)er 20, ]8]2, and was a 
daughter of Andrew Ferguson of Northum- 
berland County. Tliese children were the re- 
sults of the happy union of Samuel DeAr- 
niuiiil and Miss I-'erguson: Hadasah G., Wil- 



liam \\'., .\ndrew Woods, Thomas I )ull()n and 
Samuel Edward. 

Our subject was united in marriage on Jan- 
uary 26, 1899, to Kate I), iiall of Philadel- 
phia. A portrait of Mr. De.\nnond is shown 
on a previous page. 



7^ IIARLES W. MILLER, who is identi- 
V Jj '''^'' ^^'^'^ many public enterprises anil 
^*-— '^ who has the advancement of the in- 
terests of the town of Bloomsburg at heart, 
is an able attorney-at-law. who has been en- 
gaged in the practice of his prijfession there 
since 1867. He comes of an old and well- 
known famil\- of Columbia County, is a son 
of Stephen H. and Lavina (Kline) Miller, and 
was born in Mifflinville, Mifflin townshi]), Co- 
lumbia County, November 20, 1844. 

Our subject's grandfather was Charles Mil- 
ler, of German descent, who at an early age 
left his home in Lehigh County, Pa., and lo- 
cated in Mifflin townshij), Columbia County. 
He engaged in agricultural pursuits and 
was a man of considerable prominence. He 
was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with 
Sarah Mann, wlm li\cd In the age of seven- 
ty-two years. 

Stephen II., the father of our subject, was 
sherifl' of Columbia County from 1855 to 
1858. after which he was engaged in the mer- 
cantile business. He was marrieil to Lavina 
Kline, of Scotch-Irish descent, whose grand- 
parents were among the prduiinent carl\- set- 
tlers of Fishing Creek townshi]), Columbia 
County. Religiously they were of stanch 
Presbyterian stock. Mr. Miller died on No- 
vember 8. 1S91, at the age of se\'ent}--t\v<) 
years, and his wife died September ]2, 1883, 
at the age of seventy years, leaving to sur- 
vive them two children: Isaac K., a sales- 
man; and Charles W. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



437 



Charles W. Miller, in addition to completing 

the recjuired course in the common scliools. 
took a course in the -Nlillersville State Normal 
ScIiodI, after wliich he read law with \\'il!iam 
(i. llurty and I'".. II. Little. Since his ad- 
mission to practice in 1867 he has resided in 
Bloomsburg and has been engaged in the 
practice of law. While he is of the Demo- 
cratic school of politico he has nc\er entered 
acti\el\ into political affairs. lie has eni- 
])loyed himself contiiuiallv in promoting the 
general welfare of ihf town, es])eci;dl\ by iden- 
tifsing himself with nian\- enterprises, and 
he is proud of the f;ict that the town li.as pros- 
pered to ;i degree th.at is not ouh couunend- 
able, but leaves it without a ri\;d in the state 
for \'ariety of industries, growth ;nid gen- 
eral appearances. \\ h.n es]iecial part he has 
t;dsH'n in forw.Mrding the \arions eiUerprises 
ol wliicli w c- h;i\r spoken will pi'oli;ibl\ never 
be known through him, as he is greatK' op- 
])osed to speaking of his own .accomplish- 
ments. However it is well known that he 
was one of tlie organi/.ers and is now more 
or less interesteil in the following business 
\entures: Woolen mill, silk mill, carjiel mill, 
desk works, furniture factory, brass and cop- 
])er plant, novelty works, e1e\ator works, elec- 
tric light works, gas works, steam heat- 
ing company, water company, artificial 
ice company, cold storage company, 
creamery, m.atch f.actory and electric^ rail- 
way. He has been and is now exten- 
sively engaged in real estate transactions. 
As a lawyer he is engaged more especial'y in 
efforts to keep people (nit of litigation, rather 
than to relieve their difficulties by legal pro- 
cess. Mr. Miller's residence is on Centre 
street, where he has lived since his marriage. 
On October 11, 1866, our subject was 
united in marriage with Cora L. Eshleman. 
a daughter of Pienjamin L. Eshleman of Port 



Carbon. Schuylkill County, Pa., being a de- 
scendant of the fcnmder of Pottsville on her 
mother's side, and on the ])aternal side a 
descendant of the Eshlemans and Martins 
who were early residents of Lancaster Coun- 
ty, Pa. This union is blessed with the fol- 
knving children: Mrs. Annie Miller Melick. 
now residing in I'hiladelphia, Pa.; Vida; 
b'rank K.. recently a private secretary and 
clerk for the Cross Creek Cfjal Comp.any of 
Luzerne Cmmty and now a law student in the 
(jffice of his father; Charles W.. jr.. now a 
resident of I'dorida; (Gertrude, who now re- 
sides in Mexico; and Cor;i Iniogt-ne, a stud- 
ent. ( )ur subject is a member of the L ( ). 
O. (J. F. ; and is also a Mason. 



OSl-'.ni llLn[:)lN(ik:R. ihe leading 
meat mercb.ant of MoniU Carmel. 
Northumberland County. P;i., ;uid ;i 
prosperous and enterprising citizen, was born 
in Wurtend)erg. Ciermany, March 7, i8_i7. 
and is a son of Anthoin- and Juli;i (b'ricker) 
Buddinger. 

,\nthon)- Buddinger, the father of our sub- 
ject, was l)orn in Germanv ;md came to .\mer- 
ica in 1849, locating in Mount Carmel. wIutc 
he li\'ed until his death in 1898. He learned 
the trade of carpentering in his nati\e c(nm- 
try, where he followed it some years; be also 
folkjwed it at Mount Carmel nearly alt of the 
years of his residence there. l^Ie was united 
in marriage with Julia Fricker and they reared 
four sons and two daughters: Conrad, who 
was killed at the battle of Gettysburg in the 
Civil War; E. William, formerly a machinist 
by trade, who is now engaged in the butcher 
l)usiness in Mount Carmel; Ji>se])h. the sid)- 
jeet of this sketch; Mathias, who follows the 
trade of a carpenter; Julia, who died shortly 



4m 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



after landing in this country; and Teresa, the 
wife of William Reamsnyder of \\'illianis])ort. 
Pa. 

Joseph Buddinger was al)oul si\ years of 
age when he was brought to Mount Carniel 
1)\- his parents, and soon after entered the pub- 
lic schools, which he attended for the brief 
lieriod of three months. Although his .school- 
ing was limited, he has accpiired a very ex- 
tensive knowledge of tlie affairs of the world 
l)y constant contact with business men and 
men of high education. J le early in life 
learned the trade of a carpenter, which he 
followed until 1)^73. when he went into the 
butchering business, which he has since ccju- 
linued. He was first located on Fifth street, 
but later moved to his present excellentl}' lo- 
cated establishment on Oak street, about 
the year 1880. He carries the highest grades 
of meats of all kinds and is patronized by the 
leading citizens of Mount Carmel. He has 
many friends and is highly esteemed. 

Mr. Buddinger enlisted in the Civil War 
in Company D of the 48th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., 
March 10, 1864, and served with great credit 
until its close; he actively participated in the 
following important engagements; Battle of 
the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Weldon Rail- 
road, Spott.sylvania, Spottsylvania Court- 
house, and before Petersburg. He was 
wounded on June 17, 1864. at Weldon Rail- 
road, slightly wounded in front of Petersburg 
in 1865, and at the battle of Cold Harbor re- 
ceived a wound which resulted in deafness in 
one ear. 

Our subject was first united in marriage 
with Sarah Kutz of Schuylkill County, Pa., by 
whom he had two children, namely. Carrie 
E., the wife of William Strauj) of Mount Car- 
mel; and Katie, the wife of George Clark of 
Mount Carmel. His second union was with 
Josephine Kreighbaum, and they ha\e three 



children: Sally; Julia; and Adam Lawson 
Lee. Politically Mr. I'.uddinger is now a con- 
sistent Prohibitionist, but formerly was affil- 
iated with the Republican ])art\-. J-'raternally 
he is a member of Mount Carmel Lodge Xo. 
(130, L O. O. 1'.; Mount Carmel Connnand- 
ery No. 22, Knights of Malta; and liurnside 
Post No. 92, G. A. R. 



rHOMAS J. BARTON, one of the 
most enterprising and progressive cit- 
izens of Bloomsburg, is ])roprietor of 
the White Mill of that town and enjoys a large 
and paying custom. He was born on the old 
Barton homestead on West .Main street, near 
where the pottery now stands, September 28, 
1840, and is a son of Caleb and Sarah (Ru- 
pert) Barton. 

Our subject comes from an old and promi- 
nent family whose members have long lieen 
connected with the growth and develoi)ment 
of Bloomsburg and Columbia County. His 
great-grandfather was I'disha Barton, one of 
the early settlers of Bloomsburg. who was the 
son of Thomas Barton. 

Thomas Barton, great-great-grandfather of 
our subject, was of English birth and came 
to the United States with two brothers early 
in the eighteenth century, settling in Vir- 
ginia. His companion in life was Hannah 
Clark, a native of England, and they were the 
parents of the following children: Daniel; 
Elisha. the great-grandfather of our subject; 
Theo])bilus; Roger; I^ndrel; Thomas: 
Clark; Amelia: Sarah; and Isabella. Elisha 
was born in \'irginia, June 21, 1742, and li\'ed 
there until 1 7S i . when be came to Columbia 
Count}' and located near the town of 
Bloomsburg. He purchased land on Fishing 
Creek and built what became known as the 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



439 



Red Mill at tin- loot of a bill .-iiid not far dis- 
tant from the stream. It was (ine of the lirst 
mills erected in this section of the country 
and was on the site ui^m which oiu' subject's 
mill is now located, lie jnit in a wbeatstone 
chopper and plaster grinders and did the cus- 
tom work for the farmers for many miles dis- 
tant. He also owned a large tract of land 
on the opposite side of the creek which he 
cleared, giving the lumber for the erection 
of the First Episcopal Church. He was one 
of the most prominent men of the county and 
was held in higii esteem by a large circle of 
acquaintances. He was active and. energetic 
and served for a number of vears as justice 
of the peace. His first marriage was with 
Mary Simonton, whose death occurred short- 
ly after they moved to Northumberland Coun- 
ty. They reared one son. Thomas. On July 
lo, 1 771, he formed a second union with Ann 
McCarty, who was born in New Jersey. March 
20, 1754, and they were the [jarents of the 
following children : Mary, who was born De- 
cember 16, 1772, and married John Boone; 
Amelia, bom October 2, 1774; Elisha, born 
September 2, 1777. and married Rachel Mil- 
ler; Isaiah, born June 21, 1780, whose wife 
was Mary Thornton; Hannah, the wife of 
James Boone, born May 25, 1783; John, who 
was born May 10. 1785. and married May C. 
Kreider; Anna, the wife of Abraham Klotz, 
was born January 6, T778; Sarah, born May 
2, 1790; Caleb, who married Mary Craig, 
born November 26, 1792; one, who died in 
infancy; Cyrus, whose birth occurred May 3, 
1796, and who was united in marriage to 
Catherine Brewer; and Betsey, wife of Wil- 
liam Robinson, 1:)orn January 30, 1799. After 
living a long and useful life Mr. Barton passed 
into the world of rest September 12, 1816, and 
his belo\'ed wife sin-vived him se\'en years, dy- 
irrg Januar\- 11, 1823. 



Isaiah Barton, grandfather of our subject, 
followed farnu'ng until 1842, when he pur- 
chased the mill property and, after tearing 
down the mill erected by his father, built the 
one which is now operated by our subject. 
He conductecl a custom mill and found it a 
\ery remuneratixe occupation, as he was well 
patronized. He lived but a sliort time after 
the completion of the mill. Jle was united 
in marriage to Mary Thornton and they 
reared a large family of children, one of whom 
was Caleb, the father of our subject. 

Caleb Barton was born August 30, 1812, 
and lived upon the homestead farm during the 
early part of his life. He took cliarge of the 
farm, while his father conducted the affairs of 
the mill, until the hitter's death, when he suc- 
ceeded to the ownership of the mill. He suc- 
cessfully operated the mill until his deatli. In 
1855 he built the handsome residence in w hich 
his son-in-law, Thomas ^^'ebb. now lives. Jn 
February, 1836, he was united in marriage to 
Sarah Rupert, a daughter of Peter Rupert, 
a member of one of the oldest families of the 
community, and they became the happv par- 
ents of si.x children: Evelina B., the wife of 
Dr. W. H. McReynolds; Mary, deceased; 
Thomas J., the subject of this biography; 
Catherine B,, the wife of Alfred Ale; Emma 
B., the wife of John Moore; and Anna B., 
the wife of Thomas Webb. In J862 he formed 
a second union with Delilah Creveling. Mr. 
Barton folded his hands in thial rest in 
Bloomsburg in 1895, at the advanced age of 
eighty-four years. In politics he was a Whig 
until the death of that organization, when he 
l)ecame a stanch supporter of the principles 
of the Republican party. In religious attach- 
ments he was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

Thomas J. Barton, our subject, was reared 
on the farm and after attaining his majoritx- 



440 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



learned tlie trade of a l)'acksmitli, which he 
followed in lUoomshnri;- for ei,a;ht years. He 
then returned to the homestead farm, where 
he carried on (general farmint;- for twenty 
years, oi" mitil i<^u5. when he ])urchased the 
old Barton Mill property, and after making 
many improvements ojjcrated it. He has 
fitted it up with improved machinery and op- 
erates the mill in an up-to-date manner in 
e\ery respect. He turns out a hitjh grade 
of rtour. the best brand being the AVhite Lily, 
;md it linds a ready sale on the market. Tie 
is a man in wiiom the i)eople do not hesitate 
to ])lace their confidence and he has many 
friends throughout Columbia County. In the 
fall of iSi;~ he built a fine residenci- on West 
Main street, where he has since resided. 

Mr. P.arton served as a nnisician in the 
(i[\\ I'a. Keserses f<ir thirteen montli'-, an<l re- 
ceived his honorable discharge in iSCi_>. After 
his I'eturn he was drafted and became a mem- 
ber of Company .\, 171st I'Jeg., Pa. Militia. 
and served about ekwen months, bis regiment 
;icting ;is scout during thai lime. 

Mr. Ikirton formed a m;iti'imoni.al .alliance 
with lienrietta (inilil. a daugliter of .\aron 
( iuild of licmlock township, ;md six children 
li;i\e blessed tlu'ir h;Lp]i\ union, nameb : I'jl- 
w.'ud, wlio m.uried .\imie l''owler, and has 
two of four children living, Malik- and lames; 
(".atherine, deceased: Is.aiah, ;, silk weaver, 
who m,-uried .Mar_\ ( )s\\ell, .and the\ ha\e the 
following children, — May, 'fhomas, Leone, 
iielen. Caleb, kreil, l-lay. iM'ancis, deceased, 
and l'"rank: Caleb, a miller; Harry, a teacher; 
and Maud, a graduate of the Bloomslnirg 
High .^cliool. 

Mr. Ii.arton is ,a Republican in bis political 
aflilialioiis. Li religious belief he is a mem- 
ber of the Episcopal Church. 



AMES J. HARDING is a tiller of the 
soil, having commenced that occupa- 
tion in 1SX3, since which time he 
has occu])ied a tine farm in .Shrewsbury 
township, Sulliiau Count w I'a. lie is of 
sturdy English extraction and was born in 
London, England, December 24. 1S50. lie 
is a son of j.imes and Elizabeth (l""remont) 
Harding. 

James Harding, the father of oui' subject, 
was also born in I'jigland, but in iS3_^ be 
bade farewell to his nati\e country and with 
his family of two children immigrateil to the 
Cnited States and settled in Montours\ ille, 
L\coming Count\ , Pa., where he still resides. 
He was in the arm\ during- the ( i\il War. 
He has accumulated a fine estate and has re- 
tired from active work. Mrs. Harding was 
also born in F.nglaiid .and is tin- mother oi 
the follow ing children ; James J., whose name 
appears ,at the head of these lines; k'.lix.abeth. 
who is the wife of (ieorge l'"\enden, who is 
a florist at W'illi.amsport, P.a. ; Willi.am, pas- 
tor of St. John's Lutheran ("hurch in W'il- 
liamsi)ort. Pa.; .\bary I'.ell. who w ,as joined in 
the boiiils of wedlock with Robert P. Hiet- 
rich. a prominent merchant of .Montoursville, 
Pa.; .and Charles, .a prosperous gardener of 
Montonrs\ ille. Pa. Mr. 1 l.-nding gave all his 
chililren .-i good ednc;ition ;uid ;ill .'U"e well-t<i- 
do members in the \;n'ioiis coinnnmities in 
which the\ reside. 

J;iines J. 11,-irding started out in the saw- 
mill business .and continued the same until 
1883, wiien he left Montoursville, Pa., .and 
nioxed to Sullivan Countv, where he ])ur- 
chased the Edkins farm in Shrewsbury towai- 
ship. Our subject is an energetic and indus- 
trious farmer, and has made many fine im- 
provements 011 his homestead, which consists 
of 112 acres of highly cultivated land. He 
is promincntl)- known throughout the conn- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



441 



ty, is a good neighbor and citizen, and pos- 
sesses a multitude of friends. 

Mr. Harding was wedded in 1876 to .\nnic 
J. Feister of Slirews1)ury tuwushii). a daugh- 
ter of John and Margaret (Edkins) Feister, 
both now deceased; upon tlie death of our 
subject's wife, which occurred in Septem- 
ber, 1894, she left a family of three children, 
namely: Clyde, a bookkeeper residing at 
Montoursville, Pa.; Harry Chester; and John 
Paxton. On December 26, 1895, Mr. Hard- 
ing formed a second marriage with .Vlda Ed- 
kins, a daughter of Warren and Rosalia Ed- 
kins; her mother and father still reside in 
Shrewsbury township. ( )ne child has been 
born to this union, Sarah Rita. Mr. and Mrs. 
Harding are members of the Methodist 
Church. Politically Mr. Harding is a Repub- 
lican and has served as school director sev- 
eral vears. 




ATRICK F. BRENN.VN, district su- 
perintendent of the Philadelphia & 
Reading Coal & Iron Company, is a 
man of great prominence in the Seventeenth 
Congressional District of Pennsylvania. His 
jiosition is one of vast importance not only to 
his employers but to the thousands of labor- 
ing men under his supervision. In 1895 he 
was appointed district superintendent of the 
Southern Coal & Iron Works and he has ex- 
hibited much executive ability in his manage- 
ment of the same. The district in his charge 
includes the following collieries: Henry Clay, 
Big Mountain, Sterling, Burnside. Bear Val- 
ley, North Franklin and Buck Ridge. These 
collieries furnish employment to about 3,800 
men and boys and are all located in North- 
innberland County. 

Besides his varied duties in su])erintending 



tliese collieries Mr. Brennan has been partially 
instrumental in bringing about important 
changes in the mining laws. He was ap- 
pointed by Gov. Robert Pattison a member 
of a commission consisting of eleven to revise 
the old mining law then in operation. The 
commissioners gravely considered the situa- 
tion and the present law is the result. 

Our subject was born Septemljer 3, 1853. 
in the soutliern part of Schuylkill County, Pa. 
His father died when he was eleven years of 
age, leaving a widow and four children, our 
subject being one of them. Thus, early in 
life, he was oldiged to work hard to assist 
in supporting the family. At the age of 
eleven years he began his industrious career 
by working as door-boy of Preston Mine No. 
2, located at Girardville, operated at that time 
by Eaton & Company. As he was actixe and 
attentive to his duties he was soon promoted 
from that position to a better one and finally 
became a miner. On account of his superior 
skill he was advanced to foreman of the Suf- 
folk Colliery, near Mahanoy City, which posi- 
tion he resigned to accept his present much 
more important and lucrative situation, men- 
tioned in the beginning of this sketch. 

In 1886 Mr. Brennan was a prominent fig- 
ure in the Knights of Labor and in that year 
was a delegate to the Miners' District Assem- 
bly, which was held in Indianajjcjlis, Ind. .\t 
all times our subject has been ready and will- 
ing to do all in his power to assist and hel|) 
those who are under his supervision. 

Mr. Brennan sought and won Elizalieth 
Murphy for his wife and their nuptials were 
consummated July i, 1880. The following 
children have been born to them: Thomas: 
Laura; .\nnie, Lizzie, Helen, and Jose])h. all 
deceaseil; James; Joseph; Eleanor; and Ida. 
During his e.xperience as a miner while work- 
ing at Preston Mine No. 2 he received severe 



442 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



injuries, caused l)y a gas explosion, and lias 
never entirely recovered from them. Polit- 
ically Mr. Rrennan inclines to the jiarty of 
Jefferson and Jackson, hut does not ally him- 
self with it when its politics do not suit him. 
He served one term as burgess of Oirardville 
and was also tax collector and chief of police 
of the same town, l-'ew men can boast of hav- 
ing more friends and influence in the Se\en- 
teenth Congressional District than our worthy 
subject. 

^Cm)/^1LLI.\A1 WR.W'ER R\'1'RT of 
VfeV Shamokin, Noithumbcrland t'oun 
ty, T'a.. is widely and most favor- 
ably known .among railway men because of 
the res])onsible ])iisition which he holds. He is 
a son of hanicl and .Mary I''.. (W'eavcr) Kvert 
and was l)orn January 14, iS4_:;. in what is 
now the town of Shamokin, .\ successful man 
in business, a veteran of the war with an ad- 
mirable record, and a man of most estimable 
character, Mr. luert is looked U])on as one 
of the leading citizens of Northumberland 
('ount\ . 

1 )aniel Invert, father of our subject, was a 
man of whom his son and family are justly 
pi-(]nd. I Ic w.is one of the i)ioneer tanners in 
the eastern i)arl of the slate and his enter- 
prise did nmcli toward gi\ing to the industrial 
interests of .Shamokin the impetus whicli 
e\euluall\ ]iroduced the \ery s.atisfactory re- 
sults which .are to d;iy evident on e\ery hand. 
.Mr. l'".\ert was born in 1S05 .and ])assed to 
his fuKd rest ;it his home in Shamokin in 
iSriS. A t.anner bv trade he erected the first 
industr\-, aside from those connected with coal 
operating, in Shamokin, building and o])eral- 
ing a tannery on a site near that of the jires- 
eiU rennsylvania Kailro.ad station .and on 
which now sl.ands the residence which he built 



and which is now occu]Med bv the subject of 
our sketch. 'I'he home is notable as the first 
brick structure built in Shamokin. About 
the time of the breaking out of the war .Mr. 
b\ert abandoned the tanning business .and en- 
gaged in the maimfactnre of soap, following 
the business for several years. He lived a 
com]>arati\ely retired life for two vears ])re- 
vious to his demise. Politically Mr, Invert 
was not active and he never r.si)ired to office, 
although a man of i)ositi\e and liberal (>])in- 
ions. He was a pioneer of I'resbyterianism in 
Northumberland County and long was an ar- 
dent .and most active sup])orter and .advocate 
of the doctrine in which he so llrnih' believed, 
and he held numerous otVices in the early 
Presbyterian Churcli in Shamokin. Mr, 
F.vert was marrie<l twice. To his estimalj'.e 
lirst wife were born seven children, one son, 
the sui)ject of thi^ review, and six daughters, 
( )f the children who grew to maturity the 
eldest daughter, M.alinda W ., w;is the wife of 
Haniel l'"eli\ of .Sclunlkill (dnnly, and re- 
sided in ,Sh.-nnokin .at the time of her death: 
Catharine is the widow of I!, h'. lioughncr; 
and Sar.ah \\. died .at the age i f sixteen years. 
The secon<l wife w.as Mrs. Margaret Ilaas 
(widow) whose maiden n.anie was T.unger, of 
l)anville, i'a. liy Ibis union two childi-en, 
John 1.. I'".\ert and .Mrs. I'.urlon \\. .Sniitli, 
were born, both still residing in Shamokin, 
The second wife, and second time widow, de- 
parted this life Febru.ary jj. iS()(), at the age 
of eiglitv -three years. 

( )nr subject was educate<l in the common 
schools of Shamokin and at the age of seven- 
teen he entered the employ of George R. Cad- 
w.allader, druggist, .as clerk, remaining in the 
drugstore in the town of Shamokin until the 
liroprietor retired from business. In res]Hinse 
to the call for men to serve in the army against 
the Confederac)- our subject enlisted in Coiu- 




ROBERT GOODWILL. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



446 



[lam- C, i,?ist- Pcntia. \'ol. Inf. lie wa.s cle- 
laik'd as liospital steward beeause of his 
knowlcdt^c of drugs and ser\ed nine months 
with great credit to himself. Ketiuning to 
his home lie entered the employ of the North- 
ern Central Railway, working for two years 
as a clerk in the Shamokin office and then 
being transferred to the weigh-scales, where 
all the coal received from the east is weighed, 
as weighmaster. Mr. Exert is an enthusiastic 
l\c])ublican and has been a member of the 
borciugh council and also treasurer of his 
town. lie is a i)rominenl cumnuuiicanl of 
the Lutheran Church. 

On May 17, 1866, (jur subject was united 
in marriage to Mary J. Kreigh of Catawis.sa. 
To them have been born fi\e children as fol- 
lows: Clara, who i.s at home; Edward K. and 
W illiam K., who are general merchants in 
Shamokin; and Harriet B.. and Eaura. who 
also are at home. 




1^1 OBERT GOODWIEL, who, prior to 
his death, was president of the Good- 
will Coal & Coke Company of West 
Virginia, was one of the most honored and 
respected citizens of Shamokin. Northumljer- 
laud County, Pa. The entire stock of the 
coni])an\- was owned by Mr. Gcjodwill and his 
family and was directed by the following man- 
agement: Robert Goodwill, president: An- 
thony (j. Goodwill, vice-president: Philip 
(ioodwill, general manager and treasurer; 
^Villiam Goodwill, secretary. The firm was 
organized in 1886 by our subject, after hav- 
ing secured a lease of 800 acres of the famous 
Fiat-Top coal lands from the Flat-Top Cc«l 
Land Association. 

Preparatory work was immediately begun 
by Mr. Goodwill in opening up the mines, 
erecting the necessary machinery, buildings, 



coke o\cns, etc., and such otlu'r improve- 
ments as arc necessary for the shii)mcnt of 
coal and coke. The business was conducted 
as a firm until December, 1888, when it was 
incorporated in accordance with the laws of 
West Virginia as the Goodwill (Hal iv Coke 
Company. The first shipment of dial was 
made in Se])lemlier, 1887: since th;U lime the 
capacity of the mines has steadily increased 
until at ])resent the colliery is ca])able of 
turning nut r,ooo tons of coal daily. With the 
jiresent shipments, from mnetx to nne hun- 
dred men are em])lo\ed. Ihe ])lant contains 
50 Bee Hive coke ovens, erected in accord- 
ance with the re(iuirements of the lease, which 
lia\e a weekl\ capacity of from 300 to 350 
l(ins. 

The mines ,are sxslematically as well as ad 
\'antageously laid out, and arc thoroughly 
\cntil;i(ed with a 15-foot fan. There are four 
main oiJcnings, with an excellent track system 
connecting" with two tipples, only one of which 
is used in ordinary shipments. The company 
is fully ecj_uipped in every particular, having a 
number of comfortable and suitable dwelling 
houses, a convenient and well-arranged store, 
offices, etc., commo(liu> stables, saw-mills. 
mine cars, .and a tine artesian well which fur- 
nishes <an excellent water-supply lor all re- 
(|uirements. ( )ur subjecl continued as presi- 
dent of Ibis compaiu until death called him 
to final rest. December 17, 1898. He w.'is a 
man of high character, having led n \)uvc and 
moral life, and his loss was deeply felt b\' his 
family and many friends. 

Robert Goodwill was born October 7, 1827. 
at Loan End, Northumberland County, Eng- 
and. He was a son of Anthony Goodwill of 
Northumberland, England, and was the tenth 
in a family of twelve children. At the early 
age of nine years he commenced work in the 
mines of England and was engaged first in 



446 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



removing coal fnnn the mines in something 
like a tub or sled. At the age of thirteen he 
hcgan mining coal, was identified inore or less 
ill tlu' liusine^s of coal mining nj) to the time 
when death claimed him. His jiarcnts, al- 
ihongh they came of lunnhle birth, were in- 
dustriiins and highly respected, being devout 
members <>f the C'innch of J'lngland. and 
lludugh them the son inherited the religious 
inclinations .so characteristic of the man. lie 
was married July Jj, 1847, to Catherine 
Wake, and to them were born live children: 
three boys and two girls. The girls ilied in 
infancy, but the three boys are living. Mr. 
and Mrs. Goodwill celebrated the hftieth an- 
ni\-ersai-y of their wedded life on |ul\' 27, 
1.S97. 

In the middle nf May, 185J, our suf)ject, 
with his wife and son, sailed for America, ar- 
riving in riiiladelphia on June 30, 1852. From 
there he went to Gold Mine Gap, Dauphin 
t'ounty. I'a., where he worked three years at 
mining coal, brom Gold Mine Gap he moved 
his faniil)- to the Shamokin coal fields, where 
I'.e was employed at the f.ancaster Colliery, 
better known as the Coal Run Colliery, about 
three miles east of Shamokin. In 1857 he lo- 
cated in Trexorton, Pa., about eight miles 
west of Shamokin, working as a miner and 
contractor. He remained there for eight 
\ears, when, in 1865, he leased the tracts of 
coal land known as the (ireenough and Bear 
X'alley tracts, about three miles west of Sha- 
mukin, and nioxed his familv there. He op- 
erated those two collieries very successfully 
until 1877, when he sold out his interest to the 
I'hiladelphia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- 
l)any. Although well advanced in years, Mr. 
Goodwill's active spirit would not permit him 
to remain idle and, accordingly, he leased a 
tract of bituminous coal land at Re\-nol(lsville, 
Jefferson County, I'a., and ojjcrated it be- 



tween four and five years, until the coal on 
his lease w as e.xhausted. He then leased what 
is known as the Carson tract, just on the out- 
skirts of Shamokin; that he operated for two 
years, when he sold out to a New York firm. 
From that time until 1883 he was engaged in 
various mining enterprises and next secured 
a lease in the now famous Mat-Top coal field 
of \\'est Virginia, being one of the earlv i)io- 
neers of the coal development, with Capt. 
Welch, J. H. Bramwell, John Ct)oi)er, and 
John Freeman, giving his personal attention 
for two years to his interests there, when he 
turned the management over to his son, who 
is at present the general manager. 

A, G. Goodwill, \ ice-president of the com- 
pany and eldest son of our subject, was born 
in Scotland in 1848, and accompanied his ])ar- 
ents to the United States in 1852. lie at- 
tended the i)ublic schools of Pennsylvania, 
afterward graduating at Dickinson Seminary, 
^^'illiamsport, Pa. Returning to Shamokin 
he accepted a position as bookkeeper, which 
he held for sixteen years, resigning to engage 
in the hardware business in Shamokin, which 
he still carries on successfully. He became a 
member of the Goodwill Coal & Coke Com- 
pany at its incorporation, which business con- 
nection he still retains. He married Miss R. 
C. Klase of Ashland, Pa., in 1873, and has one 
son, Robert, now twenty-one years old, 

Philip Goodwill, second son of our subject, 
was born in Dauphin County, Pa., received a 
common school education and subsequently 
pursued his studies for two years at Dickinson 
Seminary. His father, being engaged in min- 
ing and shipping coal, naturally brought 
his sons in contact with every branch of the 
business from the office to the more respon- 
sible positions about the mines. In 1874 Philip 
left Shamokin for Reynoldsville, Pa., wdiere 
he took charge of his father's large bitumi- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



447 



nous coal interests, and rcinaiuoil in thai ca- 
pacity until 1878, wiicii he rctm-ncil In Slianin- 
fviii and engaged witii liis father in tlic cnal 
business again. Sul)scc|nciul\' \\v entered the 
law office of lion. \V. 11. M. Oram, but never 
entered upon the practice of his profession, 
udl withstanding he w :is dnl\ adnn'llcd to the 
Nortlnnnherland County liar in 1884. Some 
time after being admitted to the bar he was 
elected teller of the First National Bank of 
Shamokin, which position he filled with satis- 
faction until 1887, when he resigned to as- 
sume the management of the Goodwill Coal 
& Coke Company, which ])osition he still re- 
tains. In 1887 he married the eldest daughter 
of W. II. Douty of Shamokin, and innnediate- 
ly thereafter located in Brannvell, W". Va., 
where he now resides, !ia\ing one of the most 
beautiful an<l comfortable homes in that pret- 
t_\' little town. Mr. Goodwill is a past com- 
mander of Ivanhoe Conimandery No. 10, 
Knights Templar, of Bramwell; also a mem- 
ber of the l)lue lodge and chapter of that place, 
as well as a member of Beni-Kedem Temple, 
U. D., of Chariest own, \\". Ya. He is secre- 
tary of the Pocahontas Comjiany and is asso- 
ciated with other business enter])rises. He is 
an inlluential member of the I'resb^terian 
Church of Bramwell and member of the board 
of education of Rock district, in which capac- 
it}' he was largely instrumental in securing the 
erection of the handsome new graded-school 
l)uilding recently constructe<l in Bramwell. 

AV. F. Goodwill, youngest son of our sub- 
ject, Robert Goodwill, was born in Dauphin 
County, Pa., and attended the public schools, 
after which he graduated at Dickinson Semi- 
nary in 1875, taking a commercial course at 
the same institution the following year. His 
school vacations were spent in working about 
his father's mines in various capacities. After 
completing his commercial course he returned 



to .Shamokin and was employed in his father's 
oll'ice as bookkeeper, in which capacity lie re- 
mained until the collierv wns sold to the I'hil 
ailclplii;i \' kiading Coal iS: Iron Coni]iany. 
lie was next emplcj^'cd l>\' L. .M . Slunn.in iS.' 
Com|)an\-. grocers, for aliont one year; then 
engagi'd in business at Shamokin as a member 
of the firm of 1 )erb\- \: (ioo(l\\ill, in winch lie 
continued for some time; disposed of his in- 
terest to enter the mail service, which occupa- 
tion he followed for about three years, leaving 
the ser\ice tf) acce])t a position as bookkeei)er 
will: J. I.angdou iS: Companw at Neilson Col- 
lier)', .Shamokin. where he remaineil until 
1889, when he went to (nxxlwill, W. \'a., as 
secretar\- and l)U\er for the (ioodwill t'oal iK; 
C(jke C(.)m])an\', the position he still holds. In 
i87() Mr. (ioodwill chose for his wife and life 
companion Ida K. Klase of .Ashland, I'a. 1 lis 
home is in Shamokin, where his family resides. 
Mr. Goodwill has never taken an active ])art 
in ])olitics, Ijut was elected in 1888 to the Sha- 
mokin borough council, and now holds the 
position of n(jtar\' ptd)lic for Mercer County, 
W. Va. 

The ])ublishers of this x'olnme fake pleasure 
in announcing that ;i portrait of Robert (iood- 
will appears on a pre\ious jiage, in connection 
with the above life history. 




HC)M.\S C. REESE is a well-known 
and much respected citizen of Sha- 
mokin, Pa. He superintends the ma- 
chine and blacksmith department of the Sha- 
mokin Iron W'orks. Mr. Reese is at present 
also much interested in gold mining. He is 
the owner of 154 acres of land in McDowell 
County, North Carolina, which is being large- 
\y de\'elope(l under a lease. The firm wdiich 
is operating his territory is now erecting a 



448 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ten-stamp mill to be run by water power. 

'I'liis Ik'lil is rirli luit cinl\- in .^nld. Imt also 
contains (iiIkt ])ii'c-i(iiis nirtals and vakiable 
minerals. \\ illiin a railins nf l\w miles have 
been fonml alunn (Hic Inmdied and thirty-six 
(lifTcrenl minnals. llie rarest of these lieinj;' 
diamonds. .Mr. Reese reasonably expects to 
realize in the t'ntnre a fair |)rofit on his invest- 
ment. 

John Reese, father of onr snbject, was a na- 
tive of South Wales and innni^rated to Amer- 
ica in 1X46, brinyin;.;- his family with him; he 
located in St. Clair, Sclm\lkill ( onnty. I'a.. 
and at once accepted a position as mine snper- 
intendent in the cmi)loy of William II. b)hn- 
son. lie conlinned in this bnsiness nntil he 
iK-pai-ted this life in iS?,^ lie was known as 
an old-line W Iht^'. hnt conld not be ])re\ailed 
npi in to acce])t office. 

Thomas t". Reese was l)cirn in .Monmonth- 
shirc, South Wales, Jnly 9, i.^y. and is a son 
of John and Mary (Thomas) Reese. He was 
bron^ht to .\mcrica by his parents when 
abont nine years of ai;e, recei\ing" his ednca- 
tion in St. (_'lair, Schnylkill County. When 
<|uite yonns.;- he learned the trade of a machin- 
ist and when .<;ro\vn to manhood worked at 
that occu]iatiiin in I'Mrl ("arbon, and also at 
iManch Chunk, Carbon County, Pa., subse- 
(|uently removinj;- to Luzerne County, and 
thence to Northumberland County, contin- 
uing;' to work at his chosen calling. After re- 
maining in the latter county tw^o years, he 
si)ent one year ])rosi)ecting in the Cumber- 
land .Mountains. He was em])loyed by the 
Tonzwell Coal & Iron Co. of \'irginia to pros- 
])ect for eoal. 

In 1856 our subject went South to Virginia 
and engaged in mining for three years. He, 
at the end of that time, returned North and 
engaged his services with the Shamokin Iron 
Works. In 1886 he again went South and 



was located in Georgia for a short time, but 
finally returned to Shamokin anrl accejjted his 
present responsible position, which he is \ery 
creditably tilling. He has the reputation of 
being a skilled mechanic and consequent!}- is 
(juite comi)etent to <i\ersee the departments 
under his control. 

On No\-ember 13, 18(13. dur subject was 
united in marriage with Mary Henry. The\' 
have merry gatherings at their home and both 
Mr. and Mrs. Reese are well and favorably 
known in social and religious circles through- 
tnit the town. 



tSHBEL B. LONCiSHORE, D. l5. S.. 
a prosperous and popular deiUist of 
,.„^ Mt. Carmel, with a large practice, is 
a son of Evan J. and Mary (Segraves) l.wng- 
shore, and was born April 2, 1869, in .South 
Easton, Northampton County, Pa. Onr sub- 
ject started on his active business career as 
a messenger boy and has worked diligently 
nntil he has raised himself to a jn-ominent ]io- 
sition in his chosen ])rofession and is known 
as one of the most ca])able and successful 
practitioners of dentistry in the county. 

.\fter obtaining a comparati\ely meager 
preliminary education in the common schools 
of Scranton, Pa., our snbject at the age of 
fourteen years began to earn his living and 
set out to make his own way with compara- 
tively little assistance. He entered the em- 
ploy of the Postal Telegra])h Company and 
served as a messenger for alxnit two and a 
half years. Next he was in the employ of 
the Grand Union Tea Company and, deter- 
mined to follow out his ambition, he entered 
WWd's Business College at Scranton, in 
which lie received a fairly good business edu- 
cation. He then removed to Hazleton, Pa., 
w here he was employed as Ijookkeeper for the 




A. P. YOUNG. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



451 



Lehigh Coal Company. Our subject was for- 
tunate in lia\ing access to the large library of 
his uncle, Dr. W. R. Longshore, a prominent 
physician at Hazleton. and he studied assidu- 
ously while keeping the books of the coal 
company. Having decided to take up den- 
tistry as a profession, he entered the Pennsyl- 
vania College of Dental Surgery at Philadel- 
I^hia from which he graduated in 1895. He 
immediately removed to Hazleton where he 
practiced his profession for a year and then 
remox'cd to Mt. Carmel. where he has since 
been an honored resident and a leader among 
its professional men. 

Dr. Longshore comes of a family of phy- 
sicians,*evidentl_\- inheriting the natural apti- 
tude and liking for the [inifessiim in wliich he 
has been so successful and in which he stands 
-SO prominent. J lis grandfather. Ashbel 
Longshore, was one of the tirst physicians to 
locate at Hazleton and began his practice 
there when the town was \-ery small. The 
father of our subject. Evan J. Longshore, also 
was a physician and followed his profession in 
Scranton, Pa., during the major part of his 
life time. A brother of our subject, luigene, 
is now attending the dental college in Phila- 
delphia. 

Our subject is a member of the Mt. Carmel 
Commandery No. 22, Knights of Malta. He 
was united in marriage to Elizabeth Stager 
and to them has been born one child, Jennie 
W. 




P. VOUXG. whose portrait is shown 
on the opposite page, is one of the 
.most prominent farmers of Green- 
wood township, Columbia County, and is the 
proprietor of a well-improved farm of 80 acres, 
which is located in the fertile region of Green- 
wood \'alley. He was born near Benton, Co- 



lumbia County, Pa.. November 17, 1835, and 

is a son of .\lM-am and Ann (Peterman) 
Young. 

Abram Young, the father of our subject, 
was born in New Jersey, and in 1812 moved 
to Columbia County, Pa., working on the way 
at different occupations. While en route he 
worked on the river bridge at Harrisburg, 
which was then being erected. Upon arriving 
at Benton, Columbia County, he purchased a 
tract of timberland consisting of in acres, 
which is now the property of Washington 
Krouse; he cleared part of his purchase and 
engaged in farming the rest of his life. In 
politics he was a strong Democrat and held 
the ofitice of county commissioner and also 
was justice of the peace for thirty years. He 
took an active part in the War of 1812, and 
was a captain in the militia. He passed from 
this life at his home in Benton at the age of 
eighty-seven years. His wife was Ann Peter- 
man, a daughter of James Peterman, who< 
came to where Benton now is from Bucks 
County, Pa. ; he was a blacksmith. Two sons 
and two daughters were born to this union, 
as follows: Mercy Ann, deceased, who was 
the wife of Mathias Roberts; Aaron, deceased, 
who was a well-to-do farmer of Round Grove, 
\Vhiteside County, 111.; Sarah, who married 
Eli McHenry of Benton, Columbia County; 
and A. P., whose name heads these lines. 

A. P. Young was reared on his father's farm 
near Benton and received his education in the 
public schools and at Greenwood Seminary 
at IMillville, Pa. He then taught in the public 
schools three jears and two years in the 
Greenwood Seminary. In 1861 he took pos- 
session of the old farm where he now lives, 
which consisted of 80 acres of very much worn 
land, and he has made many improvements, 
and his farm now ranks among the most pro- 
ductive in Greenwood Valley. In addition to 



452 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



carrying on general farming lie also deals 
somewhat in stock, his farm being well 
stocked with thoroughI)red registered Jersey 
cattle. I'or tlie past t\\ent\' \ears he has been 
breeding Brahma poultry, and later Bronze 
turkeys were added. Our subject is one of the 
stockholders of the Farmers' Produce Ex- 
change, Limited, of I'loomsburg. 

Mr. Young is an active menil)er of the Pa- 
trons of Husbandry and has filled many of the 
offices in that organization; has been a mem- 
ber of the executive committee of the state 
grange for two terms and county deputy for 
fifteen years. Politically our subject is a Dem- 
ocrat; is serving his closing term as justice 
of the peace; and is a candidate for nomina- 
tion for member of the Legislatiu-e. On Jan- 
uary lo, 1861, Mr. Young and Rachael Wil- 
son, (laughter of Reuben \^'ils()n, were tmited 
in marriage, and to them have been born four 
children, namely: Alice, the wife of A. H. 
'Potts of Parkesburg, Chester County, Pa.; 
Ella; Emma; and Mary. 

Mr. Young is an industrious and energetic 
man, a good citizen, antl is lield in high es- 
teem. He is adding his quota to the business 
interests of the township ;md filling his posi- 
tion with great credit. Mr. Young is on the 
state list of lecturers for the Farmers' Insti- 
tutes of Pennsylvania and has ably held that 
position for fifteen consecutive years. He has 
visited many of the neighboring counties in 
that capacity. 



M 



ANIEL FAUST is prominent among 
the most successful contractors and 
builders of Shamokin, Coal township, 
and is a member of the well-known firm of 
Reed & Faust. This firm is extensively and 
favorably known for the excclk'nt work done 
by it in various parts of the Iliwu. The lirni 



makes a specialty of comfortable and hand- 
some d\sellings and enjoys the distinction of 
having erected many of Shamokin's model 
residences. Messrs. Reed & Faust employ 
from twenty-five to thirty competent journey- 
men carpenters and supervise in person all 
work entrusted to them. They have a large 
lumber-yard and workshop well supplied with 
all kinds of building material and are al\\a_\s 
prepared to furnish estimates on all kinds of 
new buildings, or for the remodeling of old 
structures. Among their patrons are some 
of the largest real estate owners in Shamokin, 
and they are noted for doing strictly first-class 
work at reasonable figures. .\ few of the 
beautiful and cozy homes erected by the firm 
are those of H. H. Reiser, T. B. Hertzog, Ja- 
cob R. Reiser, Richard Deppen, and their 
own handsome and niotlern residences. 

Daniel Faust is a son of George and Re- 
becca (Rlingerman) Faust and was born at 
East Mahanoy Junction, Schuylkill County, 
Pa., March 15, 1841. He attended the public 
schools until seventeen years old and then 
moved to Mahanoy Cit\-, where he learned 
the carpenter's trade; he soon proved himself 
to be an expert workman and labored intlus- 
triously at his trade in and about his native 
section for many years. In 1876 he located in 
Shamokin and continued to work in that town 
and surrounding country until 1884. when he 
formed a ])artnership with Francis T. Reed 
and embarked in the contracting and building- 
business under the firm name of Reed vH: 
Faust. He is now reaping the rewards of his 
industry and is enjoying a comfortable com- 
petency in his closing years. 

Daniel Faust, our subject, was united in 
marriage with Susan Seward December i, 
1866, and to them have been born four chil- 
dren, onlv two of whom .ire now li\ing: Me- 
linila. a charmini; \oun;j lad\ , and Ki^lward E., 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



453 



now attending the Pennsylvania Dental Col- 
lege of Philadelphia. 

Our suhject has a very creditable war rec- 
ord. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 
Union Army in Company H, 96th Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Inf., and was honorably discharged from 
the ser\-ice Jinie 22, 1865. ha\ing ser\ed his 
country nearly three years without missing a 
single day's duty. He served in the Army of 
the Potomac and under Sheridan in the She- 
nandoah Valley. Among the important bat- 
tles in which he participated were Gettysburg, 
Fredericksburg and Rappahannock Station, 
where his gallantr_\- was observed by Gen. 
Henry Upton, who made him his orderly from 
that time until the close of the war. Socially 
our subject is a member of Gen. ( irant Lodge, 
No. 575, I. O. O. F. : also t)l" Lincoln Post, 
No. 140, G. A. R., of Shamokin. lie is an 
active member and liberal supporter of the 
Methodist Church. 

John Faust, grandfather of our subject, was 
a native of Berks County, Pa., but early in life 
located in Rush township, Schuylkill County, 
where he was an ideal and practical farmer. 
Later he removed to Alahanoy. which is now 
Mahanoy City, and for some time was pro- 
prietor of the Mahanoy Hotel, but still later 
he returned to Rush township, where he 
spent the remainder of his life. 

George Faust, father of our subject, was 
born on the site of Mahanoy City before the 
town was built. He was educated, reared and 
lived in that section all hi,' life. He early 
learned the carpenter's trade and was also 
very skilful in building wind-mills for cleaning 
grain. A severe cold contracted by exposure 
cut short his progress in life's journey, just as 
he was nearing its forty-second milestone, 
leaving his widow and nine cliildren to mourn 
his premature demise. 




iRS. GEORGE HASSERT. The 
subject of this sketch, a highly re- 
spected lady, resides at her home 
on the corner of Catherine and Fourth streets, 
Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pa. She is 
the widow of George Hassert, who was born 
in Reichensachsen, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, 
November 5, 1824, and was a son of George 
and Elizabeth (Wagner) Hassert. 

George Hassert, Sr., was a native of Ger- 
mau)' and made his native country his home 
all his life. 

George Hassert, Jr., was well educated in 
the schools of his native town and his youth 
was spent working in a mill and learning the 
trade of millwright which he followed some 
time. At the age of twenty years he enlisted as 
a soldier in the German army and served six 
years, during wdiich time he participated in 
the war between Denmark and Germany in 
1848; during the storming of Dabbelar Fort, 
in Denmark, he received a wound by a salier 
in the forehead and chin. He was also in 
the regular army at Baden, engaged in sup- 
pressing the reljellion, and was stationed at 
Carlsruhe. In 1851 he left the army and 
came to the LInited States, locating in Phil- 
adelphia, wdiere he again took up his trade, 
which he followed until 1856. In that year 
he moved to Bloomsburg and followed his 
former occupation as millwright until 1875, 
when he entered into partnership with Peter 
S. Harman, a born mechanic, and began oper- 
ating a founilry and machine shop. They 
purchased the Barton farm upon w'hich they 
erected a building 50 by 60 feet and began 
the making of Eclipse cooking stoves and 
heaters, and the Montrose plough. Their 
trade increased so rapidly that they were 
obliged to enlarge their establishment and, 
accordingly, in 1880 they built a large addi- 
tion and began the manufacture of mining 



434 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



cars and castings, and inaclnnciy for con- 
structing and operating- mines, also a repair 
sliop. The shop is e(|uippe(l with the latest 
and most improved machinery; faces East 
street and is three hundred feet square; it 
gives employment upward to sixty men whose 
work is of the liighest order. George Has- 
sert was one of tlie energetic and industrious 
Imsincss men of r.loomsburg and amassed a 
fortune. 

George I lassert on l'"cl)niai-\- i_', 1X^4. was 
married to Magdalcna Decker, who was horn 
July 15, 1829. Her i)arents were Joseph and 
Clu-istina (rensal) Decker, both natives of 
Cienuany, where her father operate<l a farm 
and .saw-mill until his death which occurred 
at the age of fifty-three years. Her mother 
died aged eighty-three years. They were the 
parents of seven children. Jacob, deceased; 
Joseph; Florein, deceased; i'hilli])ena; 
Charles; Christina; and Magdalena, our sub- 
ject, who came to the United States in 1852. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hassert were born the fol- 
lowing children; Charles W , a machinist in 
the shops of Harman & Hassert, who wedded 
Martha Hartman. They are the parents of 
two cliildren, Annie and I'carl; Henry, of 
Bloomsburg, was first united in marriage to 
Mary Echard, who died leaving two child- 
ren, Tra and Ray, — his second marriage was 
with Alice Earl and one child, ^fagdalena, 
blessed the union; Annie; Li/.zie, wife of Ed- 
ward Sleppy of Kingston, Pa., and tliey had 
two children, Grace and MadeHne, Grace died 
in 1889, aged fifteen years; Emma, the i 
wife of Charles Erath of Wilkesbarre, Pa., — 
to this union two children have been born. 
Bertha and Stanley; Ella, wife of A\"illiam 
Armstrong of Bloomsburg, and they have one 
child, Martha; George, a bookkeeper of the 
lirni of Harman & Hassert, wedded Carrie 
Wilson who bore him three children, — Lee, 



Eunice, who died aged three vears. and 
Martha, who died aged three years and eight 
months. 

The demise of George Hassert occurred at 
Bloomsburg, October 26, 1889, the result of 
neuralgia of the heart. He was greatly 
mourned because he was loved and respected 
by all who knew him and he was a man widely 
known and esteemed for his integrity, hon- 
esty and uprightness, both in social and pub'i.- 
life. He ever strove for the suppression of 
c\il and the doing of good. He was a kind 
lather and husband, and the esteemed lady 
whose name heads this sketch lost a dear com 
panion at his death. 



^ .\RRV \\-, KLINE, the erficient and 
P y ^ accommodating yard-master (;f 
the Northern Central R. R. at Shamokin. 
Pa., stands prominent among railroad 
men in his vicinity. He was born in 
Halifa.x, Dauphin County, October 21, 1865, 
and is a son of John F. and Elizabeth (Kris- 
singer) Kline. He was educated in the pu!)lic 
schools of Halifax and at the l);m])liin Acad- 
emy. At the age of eighteen he was employed 
by the Dauphin Bridge Coiupany as time- 
keeper, which position he held for three years, 
and later on accepted a i)osition with the 
Northern Central Railroad as yard-clerk at 
Sunbury, \\here he also remained three years, 
discontinuing the same to accept a similar 
position with the Philadel])hia & Erie R. R. 
Co., still remaining in Sunbury two years 
more, at the close of which time he was again 
promoted and became train-master's clerk for 
the Sunbury division of the Philadelphia & 
Erie, and also the Northern Central Railroad, 
for a ])eriod of two years. But he was not 
content to rest here when ihcre was "room 




DR. MARCrS llOWARU HARPEL. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



457 



at tlie top," and fortune favored liim; lie was 
promoted to assistant yard-master at Sliamo- 
kin, for tlie Northern Central R. 1\., Decem- 
ber 9, 1897, and was still further ])r(imoted to 
yard-master January i, iSgS, \\hich position 
he is now filling so acceptably to his employ- 
ers. 

I'hilip Kline, o-randfather of our subject. 
was a gunsmith 1)}- trade and a nati\'e of Hali- 
fax, Dauphin COuiUw where he followed his 
cJiosen occui)ali()n for nian\' \ears. In the 
Revolutionary War he rendered distinguished 
serx'ice to his country during that struggle 
for libcrt\- ;uid indcin'ndence. lie was united 
ill marriage with Margaret Schulz and six 
children were the results of this union: John 
J'\, father of our subjccl ; i'dizalied) : Sns;unia: 
CleiiR-iiliiK-; .\lar\ ; ami Alice. roliticalh 
he was a strong believer in the jirinciiiles of 
Democracy, and was a pruiiiincnt man in his 
day and generation. 

John F. Kline, father of our subject, was 
born in 1825; he was also a native of Ha'ifax, 
where he was reared and educated. He has a 
significant and very remarkable railroad ca- 
reer. While still a _\oung man he entered the 
employ of the Northern Central R. R. Co., 
being given the charge of a coal and water 
station, and was gradually advanced to the 
l)<)sition of conductor, which occupation he 
followed for thirty-fi\-e years, and since that 
lime lias been a watchman, having received 
injuries wiiile in the service, lie has been a 
good and faithful servant of his employers and 
is highly esteemed and respected l)y them. 
He enlisted in the Union Arniv in 1863 and 
served throughout tlie Rebellion. He is a 
member of the G. A. R. Post at Sunbury, 
where he is now spending his declining years. 
He married Elizabeth Krissinger. daughter of 
John Krissinger of Deny Station, Westmore- 
land County, r.'i. She is now ])cacefullv en- 



joying life at the age of sixty-eight years. 
Their family consisted of si.x daughters and 
one son, our subject, as ff)llows: Annie, wife 
of John Bottomstone of Halifax; Ida, wife of 

A. B. Milliken of Phoenixville, Pa.; Katie 
and Alice, who are at the homestead in Sun- 
l)ury; Ella, deceased; and Elizabeth, wife of 

B. F. Bright of Sunbury. 

Our subject is a valued menil)er of Lodge 
No. 2T. F. & A. M., at Sunbury; and is also a 
member of the Cresco .S(ici;il Club ;iiiil tlu' 
Sunbury .Social Club. 



R. MARCUS HOWARD II ARl'KL, 
whose portrait ajjpears on the ])reced- 



,' — Km^ ing iiage, is a ])hysician of .Shamokin, 
with an exlensi\e ])r;ictice, ;ind is one of ilic 
oldest and most successful In unci )]);ilhic ]ili\si- 
cians of the .Se\enteenth Coiigressioii;il I )is 
trict of Pennsylvania. He was born Fein nary 
I, 1S38, in Orwigsburg, county seat of 
Schuylkill County, Pa., and is a son of Rev. 
Mark and Martha Ann (Morgan) Harpel. He 
was reared in Philadelphia, Northampton and 
Lancaster counties, Pa., and received his early 
education in the district schools. His prepar- 
atory education was secured mainly through 
his own efforts. In 1861 he entered the State 
Normal School at MiHersville. Pa., having ob- 
tained the means to defray his exjjenses by 
teaching in the public schools of Lancaster 
County. After graduating at the State Nor- 
mal, being a young" man of spirit :uid enter- 
prise, he aspired to fit himself for a profession- 
al calling, and chose for his life-work the ])rac- 
tice of medicine. He entered u])on his prepar- 
atory work in the office of Dr. Joshua Baker, 
a prominent physician of Lancaster, Pa. .After 
faithfully pursuing his studies he completed 
his preparatory course and entered the Home- 
opathic College of l^hiladelphi.'i, gr;idu;iling 



458 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



therefrom in 1867. After practicing his pro- 
fession for a short time in Canton, Ohio, he 
located in Shamokin, Norllunnherland Conn- 
ty, in tlie fall of the same year, September 25, 
1867. He has continued in the active practice 
of liis profession for more than tliirty-one 
}ears, making a specialty of diseases of women 
and children, of the digestive organs and dis- 
eases of the throat and chest, and has met with 
marked success. He has noted with interest 
the material progress of the town, and well re- 
members when a greater jiart of the site of 
jjrosperous ShriniDkin was nothing more than 
a swamp. 

Dr. Harpel is a man who has kept well 
abreast with the times in his profession, and 
his career has been that of a student not mere- 
ly in becoming master of books but by obser- 
vation and travel as well. His library is well 
stocked, not only with medical books but with 
many valuable works treating of science, trav- 
els, literature and general information. He has 
traveled extensively in the United States and 
Canada and also throughout Europe, having 
made two trips abroad and visited most of the 
important countries and objects of interest. 
During his active professional career he has 
found time, in addition to keeping well versed 
in his profession, to master the German lan- 
guage. 

The Harpel family, of which Dr. Marcus 
Howard Harpel is a worthy scion, is one that 
has been prominently identified with the pro- 
fessional history of Eastern Pennsylvania for 
about a century and a half. The founder of 
the family in .A.inerica was John Jeremiah Har- 
pel, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 
who, desiring wider range for the exercise of 
his industry and talents, immigrated to Amer- 
ica in 1750 and located in what was then 
known as Faulkner's Swamp, near the present 
JKirongh of Pottstown, in Montgomery Coun- 



ty, ]^a. He occupied himself in culli\aling 
his farm there and spent the remainder of his 
life in that localilw ]^a\id 1 iar])el, the grand- 
father of our subject, was born on that promi- 
nent homestead and was reared there. When 
a young man he went to Philadeli)hia and 
built a hotel at the jimction of Fifth street and 
the old ^'ork road. He operated that hotel 
very successfully for many years, when, hav- 
ing accumulated a competency, he retired 
from active life and spent the remainder of his 
days with two of his sons, David and Jacob, 
who were prominent tailors of Philadeli)hia. 

l\ev. Mark Hari)el. oiu^ subject's father, was 
a man of more than ordinary linguistic pow- 
ers, possessing an unusually complete knowl- 
edge of Latin, Greek, French, and German. 
He was born in Philadelphia, October 10, 
1810. His early educition was received in 
church schools, and when (juite young he as- 
sisted his brother Jacob in conducting a pri- 
vate academy for boys. Having been designed 
for the ministry by his ])arents, he began the 
studv of theology in 1826, under Rev. Mr. 
Waage, in Bucks County. Five years later he 
was commissioned as a licentiate of the Penn- 
.sylvania Synod; at its meeting in 1832 both 
he and his brother, Jeremiah, were ordained 
to the work of the Lutheran ministry. More 
than fortv years of Mark Harpel's life were 
devoted to earnest, faithful work for the Mas- 
ter in the states of New Jersey and Pennsyl- 
vania. His first regular charge was Salem, N. 
J., where he remained luitil 1836, when he re- 
moved to Orwigsbnrg, Schuylkill County, Pa. 
There he met his future wife, Martha .Ann 
Morgan, a daughter of Joseph Morgan, and 
in .April, 1837, they were united in the holy 
bonds of matrimony. Subsequently he served 
congregations in the counties of Northamp- 
ton. Berks and Lancaster, filling many of the 
principal j)ulpits. Ills active ministen;d la- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



459 



hors were brouglit to a close at Brickerville, 
Lancaster County, some twenty years ago, 
wlien he removed to the city of Reading. 
While residing tiiere, in 1H72, death entered 
his happy liome and in tlie early springtime 
removed his daugliter, luuma M., who had 
just reached the years of womanhood; and. 
again, when the late Octolier winds were sigh- 
ing their farewell to the dying year, his be- 
loved wife passed to her fuial rest in the l)eau- 
tiful mansion abo\e. The light and love of 
home were now gone, and in the spring of 
1873 Rev. Harpel went to Philadelphia and 
made his home with liis jjrother, Da\id. Soon, 
iiowever. he desired to be with iiis children, 
and the latter years of his life were spent in 
\isiting" them, making liis home with his son, 
1 )r. M. 11. Ilar])el, of Sbamokin. There he 
l);issed the closing days of a nolilc, useful life, 
and fell asleep in the early morning of No- 
vember 16, 1892. He was laid to rest at the 
Charles Evans Cemetery, in the city of Read- 
ing. 

Nine children, five sons and four daughters, 
survi\ed Rev. Mark Harpel and mourn the 
loss of a kind and afYectionate father: Dr. 
Marcus Howard of Sbamokin; Dr. E. New- 
ton of Philadelphia, now deceased, who re- 
sided at the corner of Broad and Morris 
streets; Dr. Francis E. of Danville; Dr. 
George W. of Mount Carmcl; Prof. William 
P., superintendent of the ])ublic schools of 
Sbamokin, a sketch of whose life will be found 
elsewliere in this vohuue; Mrs. Amanda L. 
Cornish; Mary A.; Mrs. Flora V. Thomas of 
I'hiladelpbia; and Mrs. .Martha C. Studenrotb 
of Le.xington, Pa. 

On July 2, 1868, Dr. Marcus Howard Har- 
pel was united in marriage with Marv A. 
Haas, and they are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Edward I'^rancis. a practicing 
physician of Sbamokin; I'lora 1,., who is at 



home, being actively engaged as secretary for 
her uncle. Prof. William F. Harpel, and who 
took a full course of medicine, studying under 
her father; William Luther, a graduate of 
Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery at 
Philadelphia; Frederick Theodore, who was 
a member of the 8th Reg., Pa. Vol. Ini., dur- 
ing the war between the United States and 
Spain, au<l received an honorable discharge 
November 10. 1898, and has resumed his 
studies in Hahnemann Medical College, Phil- 
adel]jhia. from which he will graduate in the 
spring of 1900; and Howard Mark, a student 
of law in the college at Carlisle, Pa. 

Dr. Harpel also has two adopted children, 
Lily and Nellie Haas, cliiklren of his wife's 
brother. ( )ur subject is a man of broad and 
liberal ideas, not bound by the edicts of anv 
sect, clan, or party in social, politic;d nr re- 
ligions matters, and is ver\- popular. 




1LLL\M B. FAUST, an attorney- 
at-law, who has built up a very lu- 
crative practice in his chosen pro- 
fession at Mount Carmel, Northumberland 
County, Pa., was born in Reading, Berks 
County, Pa., August 5, 1853. He is a son 
of Samuel and Margaretta (Miller) Fau.st. 

The father of our subject was a hatter by 
trade. When the subject of this sketch w;is 
ten years old his father moved to Philadel- 
phia, and in August, 1863, remoxed to Sun- 
bury, Northumberland County, where he died 
in January, 1888. 

William B. Faust received his primary edu- 
cation in public and ])rivate schools. He en- 
tered Mercersburg College, Franklin County, 
in i8ri9, remaining there until 1873. success- 
fully completing a prej^aratory course. In 
1873 Mr. Faust entered the Franklin & M.ir- 



460 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



sliall College at Lancaster, Pa., where he re- 
mained for a year. In 1875 he l)egan the 
study of law, the profession lie had deter- 
mined to adopt, reading un(UT the direction 
of A. N. Brice, a well-known attorney of Sun- 
l)ury, Pa., and he was admitted to the har 
of the county June 8, 1877. lie remained 
with Mr. Brice until September. 1878, when 
he removed to Mount CarnicI, whii-h ])lace he 
has since made his home. 

Mr. Faust is a memher of the 1'. & A. M., 
and is also an active Odd Fellow. In politics 
he is a Republican and was a delegate to the 
National Convention of his party in 1896 
which nominated William ]\IcKinle\' as its 
candidate for president. So closely has our 
subject devoted his energies to his profession 
he has never been a seeker after office, al- 
though he has been energetic in behalf of 
those who have sought public honors. Per- 
sonally Mr. P'aust is a most genial companion, 
a very energetic man in every movement 
which is calculated to benefit either his pro- 
fession or the borough in which he resides. 



OSEPH H. CATTERALL, superin- 
tendent of the American Car &; Foun- 
dry Company's Rolling Mills at Ber- 
wick, Columbia County, Pa., a gentleman 
who is held in the highest esteem l)y his fel- 
low-workmen, was born in Ijolton, England, 
October 6, 1861, and is a son of Ralph C. H. 
and Caroline (Reid) Catterall, and grandson 
of Joseph and Alice (Kirkman) Catterall. 

Joseph Catterall, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Bolton, England. When 
young he learned the trade of a machinist, 
which he followed all of his life. He immi- 
grated to this country and settled in I'^all 
River, Mass., where he spent the remainder 
of his life. ITe jiassed from this life at the 



age of .seventy-.six years. He was united in 
marriage with Alice Kirkman, who was also 
a native of England. 

Ralph C. H. Catterall, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Bolton, luigland, and came 
to the United States in }i>Cv). locating at Fa'l 
River, Mass. He prc]):ue(l himself for the 
ministry in England, and preached in I'"an 
reiver for a number of years, but devoted the 
greater part of his life to the ministry in this 
state, where he is widely known. Retiring, 
he moved to Wyoming, Pa., where he is now 
spending the declining years of his life. He 
chose for his life companion Caroline Reid, 
and they reared a familv of fwc rhildren : 
Joseph Pf., the subject of this review; Ralph 
C. H., a professor in the University of Chi- 
cago; William H., an engineer and assistant 
superintendent of the American Car and 
Foundry Company's Rolling Mill at Berwick; 
Alfred H., a prominent physician residing in 
Chicago, 111.; and George H., who is now at- 
tending college. 

Joseph H. Catterall in 1880 moved to the 
town of Berwick, Columbia County, and was 
employed in the erecting sho]) of The Jackson 
& Woodin Manufacturing Company; later 
he was employed in the rolling mills, where 
he afterwards acted as clerk. Having proved 
himse'.f a reliable and competent workman, in 
1890 he was promoted to the superintend- 
ency of the rolling mills, and has retained that 
position nj) to the present time. The mills 
were built in 1872 and comjjrise four trains 
ol rolls, one a nine-inch, one a twelve-inch, 
and two eighteen-inch trains. The mill is lo- 
cated at the corner of West Third and ( )ak 
streets, and 325 men are employed in this de- 
l)artnicnt. The entire plant of The Jackson 
& Woodin Manufacturing Company pas.sed 
into the hands of the American Car & Foun- 
dry Company Maridi i, i8(;9. 




ALEXANDER MONTGOMERY GEARHART. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL "DISTRICT. 



463 



Mr. Catterall formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Jennie Frantz, a danolucr of I-'.niannel 
Frantz, a native of Wurtemhcr^-. ( ierniany, 
and they are the parents of two children: 
Anna, born Augnst 5, 1884; and Joseph II., 
horn Jannary 25. 1891. ( )nr snhject has pnr- 
chased the Opdike residence, which he has 
remodeled and transformed into a handsome 
home. Mr. and Mrs. Catterall are both regu- 
lar members of the Baptist Church of Ber- 
wick. He is a member of the L O. O. F. ; 
the Knights of Malta; College of the An- 
cients; and also of the Royal Arcanum. In 
political views he is .an adherent to Repub- 
lican principles, and has served as auditor; in 
the town council, of which l)ody he was 
elected president; and as a county commit- 
teeman. Mr. Catterall is a valued citizen of 
his community, is upright in his dealings, and 
is faithful in the discharge of all duties de- 
volving upon him. 




LEXANDER MONTGOMERY 
GEARH^ART, whose portrait ap- 
.-pears on the opposite page, the pop- 
ular station agent of the D., L. & W. R. R., 
and one of the most prominent and highly 
respected citizens of Danville, was born in 
Danville, July 26, 1846, and is a son of Boii- 
ham R. and Elizabeth S. (Boyd) Gearheart, 
grandson of George Gearheart, and great- 
grandson of Capt. Jacob Gearheart. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, Ijorn 
in Germany, immigrated to this country prior 
to the Revolutionary War, antl located in the 
state of New Jersey in what is now known 
as Hunterdon County. .\s he had many 
friends in Eastern Pennsylvania he sold his 
jjroperty and with his family moved to North- 
umberland Countv bv means of horses and 



wagons, encountering many difficulties and 
hardshi])s on tlic way. Upon reaching the 
farm now owned l)y William F. Gearhart 
the party stopped to rest in a deserted log- 
cabin wliich stood there; upon examination 
they found the land \'ery fertile and at once 
decided to locate there; Mr. Gearhart pur- 
chased land and, being an industrious work- 
er, made money rapidly and, as his means 
justified, he purchased more land from time 
to time until he owned 500 acres. With the 
aid of his sons he set about clearing his pur- 
chase and built the frame house in which \\'\]]- 
iam F. Gearhart now resides, which was erect- 
ed over one hundred years ago and the Ikhisc 
is still in good condition. He set out an or- 
chard which was completely destroyed in 1846 
by a hail storm. ■ He was a man of strong 
constitution which has been one of the char- 
acteristics of the family up to the present 
time. He lived to old age as did his wife, 
Catherine Kline. He was the father of the 
following children: Jacob, born in 1763, died 
aged seventy-eight years; Herman, born in 
1765, died aged seventy years; William, who 
died in 1854 at the age of seventy-eight years; 
George, the grandfather of our subject; Tunis; 
John, died in 1858 aged seventy years; 
Charles, born in 1783, died aged eighty years; 
Isaac; Catherine; Mary; and Betsey. 

The beautiful farm of 200 acres located one 
mile from Riverside, along the bank of the 
Susquehanna River, was the propert\' of 
George Gearhart, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, it being a present from his father, lie 
resided there throughout his entire life, fol- 
lowing the pursuits of an agriculturist; his 
farm is now a part of South Danville. He 
was twice married, his first wife being Achie 
Runyan, who died young, leaving the follow- 
ing children: Bonham R.; Benjamin; Eliza; 
and Rebecca. His second marriage was w-ith 



4H4 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Phoelje I.utt, hy w lioni he reared three eliil- 
ih'en, namely: Achic, Cicorge, anil llernian. 
Bonhani R. (iearliart, our sul)ject's father, 
was Ixirn on his father's homestead, and, af- 
ter allaining a liberal education in the com- 
mon schools of that townshi]), entered JefYer- 
son Medical College of Philadelphia, gradu- 
ating therefrom before lie attained his ma- 
jority. Trior to his locating in Danville, he 
l)racticeil his profession at Washingtonville, 
Turhotville, and Sunhury; he was regarded as 
one of the most skilful and successful physi- 
cians and surgeons of Montour County. He 
passed from this life, aged forty-two years, 
the cau^e of his death being pneumonia. His 
wife was h'.li/abeth S. I'oyd, a daughter of 
William I'.oyd, a resident of Danville. She 
is now past her eiglity-second year and is en- 
joving fairlv good health. I lei children were: 
Achie, deceased; \\'illiani I!.; ( ieorge .Mc: a 
d.-mghter who died in infancy; llonham K.; 
James 11.; Jasper B.; our subject; and M. 
Grier. 

Alexander Montgomery Gearhart attended 
school until he was fourteen years of age and 
then began his business career as a news- 
1)OV on the railroatl; later he became freight 
agent on the Catawissa R. K. at Danville; sub- 
sequently he was employed in tlie D., D. 6v: 
W. R. R. freight office of that iHjniugh, ;ind 
in 1869 became clerk, in which capacity he 
remained four years, when he was promoted 
to his present jiosition. succeeiling William 
Rote. 

( )m- subject served six years on the school 
board and was its treasurer for thirteen years: 
three years marked his service in the town 
council, one year as president, lie is now 
treasurer of Danville Lodge, No. 127, \. O. 
H. Mr. Gearhart was wedded to Martha Y. 
McCoy, a daughter of Robert McCoy, ;i n;i- 
ti\e of Northumberland C'ount\, I'a. Mr. 



McCoy was a carpenter b\- trade who came 
to Dan\ille wiien a young man ami carried on 
contracting many years, building some of the 
best business blocks and dwellings in the city, 
lie erected the G. M. Slioop mansion; Conk- 
lin I Slock; Schultz Block; and many other 
buildings in the surrounding towns. He died 
in iSSf) aged sixt_\-three years; his wife was 
lileanor Vorise, a daughter of James Vorisc, 
aqd she died in 1892 at an advanced age. 
They were the parents of the following chil- 
dren: Martha, tlie wife of our subject; Mar- 
garet, the wife of P>. 1'. Knmbaugh; John P)., 
of Danville; Samuel .\., also a resident of 
Dan\ille: Jeimie. who married W. F. Jacobs; 
.\rthnr, deceased: and J;unes. William, .\nnie, 
and Sally, who died in youth. 

Our snbjt'ct rmd wife h;i\e reared two chil- 
dri'u: N'ell lloiiliani ni;u-i'ic(l Willi.am I.. Mc- 
(hne. tiller of the h'irst National P)aidv of 
Dansille, .and they are the parents of two 
chil<lren, Harold Rus.sell and Donald .\rm- 
strong; and Jasper Grecnleaf, who died aged 
four years. Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart reside in 
a handsome house on Market street, which 
our subject purchased from Idiomas [■ieaves. 




I1()M AS SANGb'.k. one of the most 
prominent men and highly resi)ecled 
citizens of Mount C'armel, Ta., is a son 
of 'I'liomas and Sarali (I'.rown) Sanger, and 
was born November -'4. iSdij. ;it ( iir:u-<l\ ille, 
Schuylkill County, Pa. 

Thoni.as Sanger, the f.ather of our subject, 
was ;i n;Ui\e of the ])arish of ( icrnoe, Lornw.all 
Counl\-, l'".nglanil, and was born in 1S4J. He 
was the only son and great care was taken 
in bringing him u\). His father was a Meth- 
odist minister and lie died when Thomas was 
but live vears old, le;i\ ing llie l.iinily in 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



465 



Straitened circumstances. Therefore Thorn 
as was ol)lige<l to iR'j^in work at an early age, 
t;uing into tlie (ireat Work tin mine, where 
he remained nntil he was nineteen years old. 
He then decided to try his luck in the United 
States, and set sail for this country in 1861, 
landing- jn New York City. .\ miner by oc- 
cupation, he immediately sought the mining 
regions, and was successful in securing wor.k 
at Beaver Meadows, under the employ of T. 
Gertz, retnaining there a short time. His 
next move was to Stbckton, Schuylkill Coun- 
ty, where he hired out w ith a man named Paul 
Quick. They soon became firm friends and, 
wishing to better their condition, decided to 
move to Locust Ga]), and later went to Dark 
Corner, working at Anderson's Colliery. In 
May, 1866, they went to California, and then 
Mr. Sanger worked his way to \'irginia City, 
Nevada, where he ol)taine<l the position of 
overlooker in a gold mine, under the super- 
vision of William Locke. After three years 
in that city he returned East and located at 
Waterloo, N. J., where, shortly after his ar- 
rival there, he married a daughter of William 
Brown of Belleville, N. J. After a few months 
he went to Girardville, Schu\'lkill County, 
Pa., and worked in the colliery of Beatty & 
Garretson for five years, when he accepted ^ 
the position of inside-boss at the colliery of 
the Messrs. Heaton, at Raven Run, Schuylkill 
County, and continued there until he was 
murdered, September i, 1875, by MoUie Ma- 
guires, who were afterward hung for the 
crime at Pottsville, Pa. The murderers were 
Thomas Monday, Friday OT^onnell, James 
McAlister and Michael Doyle. 

Mr. Sanger always gave the greatest satis- 
faction to his employers and was highlv re- 
>])ected in the community. He was a man 
of generosity and he never failed to remember 
the mother across the sea, alwavs sending her 



part of his earnings. He was an Odd Fel- 
low and a Free Mason. Mr. Sanger's wife 
was married first to Pierce Oliver, and by him 
were born two children, namely: Emma, the 
wife of William Wragg, outside-foreman at 
the Hickorv Ridge Colliery; and Mary K., 
wife of William R. Pratt of Shenandoah. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Sanger were 
as follows: Thomas Sanger, the subject of 
this biography; Annie, wife of David I'odine 
of Plainfield, N. J.; Johanna, wife of John ]\. 
Pratt of Philadelphia; and (iertrude. .Mrs. 
Sanger's third husl)and was Paul Ouick, now 
deceased. 

Thomas Sanger, the subject of this sketch, 
was educated at Girard College, Philadelphia, 
and after leaving college entered the employ 
of J, B. Lippincott & Co., as stock-clerk, re- 
maining with them for one and one-half years, 
when he w-ent to Delano and engaged as 
draughtsman for six years for the Lehigh 
Valley R. R. Co. He then became draughts- 
man for Goyne Bros., manufacturers of 
pumps at Ashland, and remained there two 
years, when he entered the employ of the 
Mount Carmel Iron Works in 1897 as 
draughtsman, and remained in that capacity 
until February 11, 1899, when he was pro- 
moted to the position of superintendent of 
the works. 

Politically Mr. Sanger is a firm Republican 
and takes an active interest in the politics of 
the county. He is chairman of the Repub- 
lican standing committee of Mount Carmel. 
Our subject is a member of several fraternal 
orders, including the Knights of Malta at 
Mount Carmel; Jr. O. U. A. M., Council No. 
874 at Mount Carmel, also of the national and 
state body, being a delegate to the national 
conventions, having served five years, attend- 
ing the various meetings throughout the 
country; also a member of the P. O. S. of A. 



466 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



He is presideiU of the Citizens' Ifook & Lad- 
der Company, luning hceii one of the ort^an- 
izers. 

Mr. Sanger niarried. May lo, 1S93. Jennie 
Louisa Williams, a daughter of John L. Wil- 
liams, and they have heen blessed with two 
children, I'^thel Vivian and Thomas. Mr. San- 
ger is a man of s])len(lid ])rineiples and strict- 
est integrity, and is always willing to assist in 
anything whicli is for the goo<l of the ])eoi)le. 




<l':i) .Xl'AlX V( )Sr >tands fore- 
most among the worthy men <>f Co- 
Inmljia ( Ountv as an energetic, able 
and n|)right attornev. a courteous gentleir.an. 
and a kind neighlxir and friend. lie was 
born in I'isiiing (reek township, ('<ilnn)bia 
County, August -'.^, iJ^.S.S, and is a son of 
l^avid and Sarah Catherine (Creveling) ^'ost, 
granilson of Samuel and Kstlier (Winters) 
^'ost, great-grandson of Henry and Margaret 
(l-iickert) ^'ost, and great-great-grandson of 
John .and Molly ( Krause) \'ost. 

The father of John was a n;iti\e of Germany 
who inunigrated to .\merica and located in 
Chester County, I'a., where he was engaged 
in the culti\ation of the soil. John ^'ost, 
the great-great-grandfather ol our subject, 
w:is born in Chester Count\ and Liter settled 
in rottslown, .Monlgonier\- ('ounl\. I'a.. ;in(l 
foUowfil the \-ocation of an agriculturist all 
his life. lie was twice wedded; his first wife 
was Molly Krause who bore him a family of 
live children, namely: Henry, Philly. Sam- 
uel, IClizabeth, and Mary; his second marriage 
was to Miss Seivel ;uid the following chibh'en 
were born lo them: John, Jacob. Catherine. 
K.-icliel. an<l S.ar.ih. llenry N'ost. the great- 
gr.andfatlu'r of our subject, was one of the 



])ioneer farmers of Roaring Creek township, 
Columbia County; he was also engaged in 
the tannery business for about seven \cars. 
Later in life he mo\ed to Conyngham town- 
ship, Luzerne County, wiiere he carried on 
general farming the rest of his active days. 
Fie was joined in wedlock to Margaret Rick- 
ert and the following children .blessetl their 
home: Susan, Elizabeth, John, Solouion, 
Henrv, Marv. and .Sanmel. Mr. Yost jjassed 
from this life in \H()2 at the age f)f eightv- 
seven years; his wife died in iSCu ;igetl eighty- 
five years. 

Sauuiel ^(lst, graudf.ither of our subject, 
was born in Koaring Creek township, Colmu- 
bia Counts, |nne \ i,. 1B05, and during bis 
vounger da\s be learned the tr;ide of a car- 
penter and cabinet-maker, which trade he 
followed in the \icinil\ of t'on\ugliani and 
!!;izleton until 1S4J, when be purchased a 
farm in l''ishing Creek township, Columbia 
County, Pa., and successfully carried on gen- 
eral farming until iS^f); he then retired fr(nu 
acti\e work and spent the remainder of his 
life (puetl\- enjoying a well-earned conijie- 
tencv. llis demise occurred in 1S1J4 at the 
age of eighty-nine years. The old homestead 
is now in possession of liis grandsons, (ieorge, 
Clarence, and our subject. In l^eceiuber, 
1S2C1, Mr. \iisl was united in marri.age to 
b'.stluT W inlevs, wIkj ]iassed from this lile 
aged si\l\ \ ears. She lefl the following 
children: .Marg.'uel, wife of (i. M. Ilowell; 
.S;n-;di. who UKU'ried W illi.am 1 .underb:uich ; 
.Mary, who was twice wedded, — her lirsl hus- 
band was \athan I'enninglou, and after his 
death she m.arried Nathan Dreisbach; and Da- 
vid, the fatlier of our subject. Mr. Yost mar- 
ried for his second wife Mrs. Henrietta Hart- 
man. He was a very prominent man of his 
couununitv ;nid held many township oltices; in 
religious \iews he was :i believer in .and a 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



467 



member of tlie Reformed Cluircli and was 
deacon and elder of tliat cluircli fur many 
years. 

David Yost, the father of our subject, was 
born in Conyngham, Luzerne County, Pa., 
December 13, 1830, and was reared upon his 
father's farm in Fishing Creek township, and 
w lien he attained his majority carried on farm- 
ing for some years. Later he bought the John 
Crcxeliiig farm, .where he has successfully 
carried on agricultural pursuits to the i)res- 
enl time. Mr. Yost always works for the 
betterment of the community and is held in 
high esteem throughout the county. In 1884 
he was appointed justice of the peace to fill 
a vacancy and was later elected to the same 
office for a term of five years. He was the 
first superintendent of the Sabbath School of 
the Reformed Church of \"an Camp, of which 
he is a member and is at present elder of the 
same. In 1887 he represented his church at 
the general synod held at Akron, Ohio. Our 
subject's father was united in marriage to 
Sarah Catherine Creveling, a daughter of John 
Creveling, a farmer of Columljia County. 
The following" children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Yost: Alfred N., born .Vugust 23. 1855; 
I\fary Alice, born September 17. 1857, was 
the wife of Noah W. Hess; Clarence Wil- 
bur, born September 9, 1859, wedded Ida 1 )e 
Witt and they reside on the old homestead; 
John C, born February 18, 1862; George 
D., born August 14, 1864. united in wedlock 
to Alice Hayman, and he is a blacksmith by 
trade and resides in Benton, Pa.; Bruce C, 
born June 30. 1866, a lumberman residing 
in the state of Washington; Dora Esther, 
born February 2, 1870, resides at home; and 
Samuel, born September 23, 1878. 

Alfred Nevin Yost attended the primary 
schools and then took an academic course in 
the nrangexille Seminar\'; later he attended 



the State Normal School ;it Bloomsburg. 
Tie then taught in the high schools at Wilkes- 
barre and Plymouth, Luzerne County, and 
later became a law student under Judge K. R. 
Ikeler and was admitted to the bar in 1884. 
Since then he has been practicing law at 
B'.oomsburg. He ser\ed as deputy sheriff in 
1885-86; as treasurer of Bloomsburg; sec- 
retary of the Columbia County .\gricuUural 
.Association for six \ears; and as secretary 
of the local Imilding and luan associjiliim. 
Mr. \ Dst is a in;in jxissesscd of great energy 
and will power, the elements of ch.aracler 
which ha\e carrieil him to the front in busi- 
ness circles. 

Our subject formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Bessie J. ILjlmes, a daughter of W. ( ). 
Holmes of Bloomsburg. They were lia])pi!y 
wedded Decemlier 15. 1897. and now reside 
in their new home, corner of Fourth and Jef- 
ferson streets. 



Tp^ E. STAGER, a much esteemed citizen 
I !^Y^ of Shamokin. Pa., and outside-fore- 

J- V»»^nian at the Luke iMdlcr Colliery, w^as 
born May 28, 1853. in St. Clair, Schuylkill 
Coiintv. Pa., and is a son of .\brabani and 
Jane (.McOuay) Stager, and grandson of 
Henry Stager. Our subject's grandfather, a 
native of Chester County. Pa., removed to 
Schuylkill County and settled near Schuylkill 
Haven, at Orwigsburg, being one of the ear- 
ly settlers of that locality. 

Abraham Stager, our subject's father, was 
born July 10, 1822, near Schuylkill Haven, 
and was educated in the schools of his nati\e 
place. At an early age he engaged in the 
coal mining business near Schuylkill Haven 
and in 1867 removed to Carbon County. He 
w as first in the em])loy of the Star Coal Com- 
l)anv of Schuylkill Counly. and iheii went lo 



468 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Audenried, Carbon County. His first posi- 
tion of prominence and responsibility was as 
assistant outside-foreman at Audenried for 
the Honey Brook Coal Company, which 
shortly afterwards became a property of the 
Lchiyh iH: W'ilkesbarre Coal Company; he 
continued as foreman in the colliery for a 
period of about thirty years, when he began 
to feel the inlirniitics of age and decided to 
retire from active labor. He has now been 
li\ing in retirement only two or three years. 
His family consists of his wife and three chil- 
dren. 

R. I'". Stager, our subject, received his ed- 
ucation in the connnon schools and at the 
early age n{ tliiiteen \ears made a beginning 
in the work of supporting hiiuself \)\ picking 
slate at .Audenried, Carbon Count)', where he 
worked about the mines and also ran a sta- 
tionary engine until he was eighteen. He 
lirst became an assistant outside-foreman at 
Audenried, and then resigned, but soon re- 
turned. Jn August, 1897, he became outside- 
foreman of the Luke Fidler Colliery, under 
the Mineral Kailroad & Mining Company, 
with which concern he has since remained. 

.Mr. .Stager is a member of W'ashington 
Cami), r. ( ). S. of A., at Audenried. 



M 



IA\ Airr I'A.MILN'. The .American 
branch of this distinguished family, 
which has furnished Northumber- 
land County with some of its most illustrious 
sons, is descendi'd from \\'illiam Dewart, a 
native of Ireland who came to America in 
early colonial times. He first located in Ches- 
ter County, Pa., where he remained until 
1775, when he removed to Sunbury and em- 
barked in mercantile business. He was one 
of the first merchants of what is now one of 
the liveliest and most llnil'iv (owns oi its size 



in the state. He continued iu business in Sun- 
bury until his death, November 14, 1814. 

One of ^^'illiam Dewart's sons, Lewis De- 
wart, was born in Sunbury November 14, 
1780, and during his youth assisted his father 
in conducting his mercantile business. .\1- 
though he was very successful in business, it 
was in political circles that he attained his 
greatest prominence. I le was one of the lead- 
ing Democrats of this section of the state, and 
figured conspicuou.sly in the doings of the 
Democratic party. .\t the age of thirty-six 
years he was elected to the State Assembly, 
and in 1823 he was elected to the State Sen- 
ate; in 1834 he was again elected to the As- 
sembly, serving as representative for three 
terms, during the latter of which he acted as 
Speaker of the House. He was also elected 
to the 23d Congress from what is now the 
Seventeenth Congressional District and ac- 
(juittcd himself with credit. He formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Elizabeth Liggett, 
a native of Chester County, Pa., by whom he 
had one son, William L. Dewart. 

William L. Dewart was born in Sunbury, 
June 21, 1820, and, after completing the re- 
(|uired course in the conmion scIukjIs, at- 
tended Dickinson College at Carlisle, I'a.. and 
later the New Jersey State College of IVince- 
ton, N. J. He then took up the study of law 
under the preceptorshi]) of Charles Ci. Donald 
of Sunburv and was admitted to the l)ar in 
1843. Like his father, he attained distinction 
in politics and several limes served as a dele- 
gate to national conventions of the Demo- 
cratic ])arty. 1 le re])resented the Seventeenth 
Congressional District in the 25th Congress 
and served his constituents in a highly satis- 
factory manner. He, as were his forefathers, 
was an adherent of the doctrines as promul- 
gated by the Presbyterian Church. He was a 
director in the Northumberland National 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



469 



Bank, now known as the First National Rank 
of Sunbury. Socially lie was well Icnown in 
tlie Masonic fraternity. Mr. Dcwart was 
united in the holy bonds of wedlock in 184S. 
with Rosetta Espy Van Horn of Willianis- 
])ort. Pa., and they became the parents of 
three sons and two daughters, three of whom 
are living at the present time : Lewis, whose 
personal history is herein recorded; William 
L., the editor and proprietor of the Northum- 
berland County Democrat and the Sunljury 
Dail}-; and Bessie S., the wife of Edward L. 
Brice, a resident of Washington, D. C. Mr. 
Dewart closed his eyes in final sleep in the 
town of Sunbury, April 19, 1888, at the age 
of sixty-eight years. 

LEWIS DEWART, a leading member of 
the Northumberland County Bar, was born in 
Sunbury May 6. 1849. He received all the 
education that the common schools offered 
and then took a preparatory course at Colum- 
bia. Pa., and at Edge Hill. After this he en- 
tered Princeton College and was graduated 
in the class of 1872. Choosing the legal pro- 
fession as his life work, he entered the law of- 
fice of Judge Jordan, with whom he read law 
until he was admitted to the liar in 1874. The 
standing which the young attorney (juickly 
acquired may be appreciated by the fact that 
in the following year he was made borough 
clerk and in 1877 was elected to the responsi- 
ble position of district attorney of Northum- 
berland County. He has since been engaged 
in active practice in Sunbiu-y. and, having re- 
ceived a thorough preparation and having 
mental abilities and a natural bent of the kind 
most useful to a successful lawyer, our sub- 
ject has attained both prosperity and influ- 
ence. Shrewd, alert, and farseeing, he is an 
advocate in whom men trust and an antagon- 
ist whom thc\ cunibal with caution. He is a 



gentleman of wide range of experience, and 
in the tinancial field, in which he is an mv 
port;int factor, he brings to Ijcar the same 
tborougli and nicthodicat \va\'S which stand 
him in such good stead in bis ])rofession. Po- 
litically Mr. Dewart is an influential Demo- 
crat. He has been a delegate to county, dis- 
trict, state and national conventions, having 
been a delegate to the convention that nomi- 
nated (irover Clexeland for the presidency in 
1892. Socially he is a meml)er of Sunl)ury 
Lodge. Xo. 22, F. & A. M. Mr. Dewart is 
one of the representative men of Sunbury 
and takes an important part in the general 
councils of the best citizens in matters ])er- 
taining to the welfare of the community and 
the general prosperity of the town. 



AMES C. DEININGER, as,sistant 
chief clerk in the office of the Secre- 
tary of the Conuuonwea'.th, is one of 
the most respected citizens of the village of 
Sonestown, Pa., and is a man of many sterling 
qualities. The gentleman whose name ap- 
pears at the head of this narrative is of Ger- 
man origin and was born at Millheim, Center 
County, Pa., May 7, 1873, '^•''''1 's a son of Au- 
gustus O. and Hannah (Hoover) Deininger, 
and a grandson of Emanuel Deininger. 

Our subject's grandfather was born in Ger- 
many, and wdiile a young man removed to 
the United States, settling in Philadelphia, 
where he remained a number of years, when 
he became a resident of Center County, Pa. 
While residing in his native country he was a 
teacher of languages and pursued that pro- 
fession to some extent in this country. He 
was united in matrimonial bonds with Miss 
Ovenland and they became the parents of five' 
children, whd were n.nmed as follows: Chris- 
tian !■".. who was a [jromincnt minister and 



470 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



presitk'il in the [uilpit of tlic Evangelical 
C'liurch for a i)crio(l of nearly fifty years; 
Alary, who was the wife of Jacob Keen; Ben- 
jamin ( )., [jroprietor and cilitor of the Mill- 
Jieini Journal, and one of the trustees of Peini- 
sylvania College, Gettysburg, Pa.; Jonathan 
O.; and Augustus O. Our subject's paternal 
gi'andfather [jassed away at the age of nearly 
eiglity years, while his gr;nidniother dieil aged 
sixty-five years. 

Augustus O. f)cininger. father of our siil)- 
ject, was born in I'lnladclphia. and when he 
reached manhood, as the ('i\il War was in 
l)rogress, he enlisted in t'onip,ni\ A, 148th 
Keg., Pa. Y'A. Inf., and ser\ed until the close 
of the wai'. .\fter ]ieace had been restored 
he acce])ted a position in the War I )epart- 
Uicnt at Washington, 1). C, in which capacity 
he remained about eighteen moiUhs; he then 
entered the marble business at Millheim, Cen- 
ter County, ]'a., from which business he re- 
tired to enter the revenue service. He was 
joined in the Ixmds of wedlock with Hannah 
liooN'er, and to this miion a family of seven 
children was btirn. 

lames C. Deininger, oiu" subject, received 
his ]}rimary education. in the public schools of 
his native town, which was later sup])Iemented 
by a course in the high school at Plughesville, 
Pa. ITpon leaving school he accepted a posi- 
tion with the W. & N. B. K. R., working in 
the freight department; later he was promoted 
to the ])assenger service as baggage-master 
and conductor, and while working in that ca- 
l)acity made his home at Nordmont, Pa. In 
1X94 he severed his connection with the rail- 
road company to engage with M. W^ Botsford 
in the manufacture of cigars, from which lousi- 
ness he retired a year later and removed to 
Sonestown, Pa. In 1895 he accepted a clerk- 
ship in the office of the Secretary of tlie Com- 
Tnouweahh, and in l'"ebrnar\ , iSoS, he was 



promoted to his present position as assistant 
chief-clerk, in June, 1898, he was appointed 
one of the commissioners to represent Penn- 
.sylvania at the Trans-Mississippi and Interna- 
tional E.xposition, held at < )ni;dia. Xeb. 

Our subject is a memlier of Mascjnic Lodge 
No. 299 of Muncy, I'a., in which he takes 
much interest. Mr. Ueininger holds t^e in- 
terests of Sullivan CcnnUy nnirh at heart and 
is held in high esteem by a large circle of ac- 
quaintances in every section of Sullivan 
C(nmty. 



OHN llOWELLS has for several 
months held the responsible position 
of inside-foreman at the Hickorv 
Ridge Colliery, and he has performed his du- 
ties in such an able and commendable man- 
ner that he has won the esteem and good 
will of his employers as well as of his fellow 
workmen. He has had a thorough training 
in mining affairs, having followed that busi- 
ness all his life. Mr. Howells is a native of 
England, having been born in South Wales, 
near the town of Tenby, September 28, 1861. 
His parents, Thomas and Mary (Nicholas) 
Howells, never cared to come to .Vmerica, 
and our subject made his home with them 
until he was twenty-one years of age. They 
had the following children: William, George, 
John, Adah, Lewis, Thomas, Sarah, Benja- 
min, and Elizalielh. In religions belief they 
were faithful members of the Baptist Church. 
At the age of ten years Mr. Howells began 
working around the mines, contimiing until 
he innnigrated to America in 1883, when he 
located in Coal township and began work as 
a laborer around the mines, later becoming a 
miner. He was then promoted to the posi- 
tion of fire-boss and so faithfully filled his po- 




GEORGE E. BROWN. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



473 



sitioii that he was ag'ain promoted to assistant 
inside foreman, and in Marcli, 1898, he accept- 
ed the ])osition of inside-foreman. His entire 
attention is given to mining- business in which 
he lias I.cen very successful. 

I'olitically Mr. Howells is an unswerving 
Ivei)ul)lican and takes an active interest in all 
of the affairs of that party. He is also ever 
ready to assist in all matters which tend to 
advance the welfare of the community. He 
was joined in wedlock with Alice Thomas, a 
daughter of \\'i]liam Thomas, and they are 
the ])arents of six children, namely: Thom- 
as; William, deceased; Edith May; Earl; Ben- 
jamin Norman; and an infant. Socially our 
suliject is a member of Mount Tabor Lodge, 
No. 125, I. O. O. F. of Shamokin, Ta.; and 
Shamokin Lodge, No. 255, F. & A. M. 



/3; EORGE E. BROWN. Among the 
Vp I well known residents of Elkland 
townshi}), Sullivan County, Pa., none 
have met with greater success in the prosecu- 
tion of that independent calling, farming, than 
the gentleman whose name appears al)ove, 
and whose portrait appears on a preceding 
page. He is a son of Archeless and Sarah 
(Harris) Brown, and was liorn in Fox town- 
ship, Sullivan County, November 4, 1846. 

His great-grandfather Brown lived in Mas- 
sachusetts all of his life. Lie reared a family 
of two cliildren, namely; Aaron and Sanniel, 
both of whom came to New Albany, Brad- 
ford County, Pa., in the year 1812. Samuel 
bought a farm there an<l lived upon it the 
remainder of his life. 

Aaron Brown, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, lived at New Albany until a1)out 1824, 
when he moved to Fox township, Sullivan 



Count}', where he followed farming the re- 
mainder of his life. He married Annie Luce, 
a daughter of Archeless Luce, who came from 
Massachusetts with him, and they were the 
parents of the following children: Archeless; 
John I\L, who married Deljby Wilcox; Dency, 
who married George Norton; Samuel, who 
married Mary Wilcox; Sophrona, the wife of 
Latney Porter; Allsbury, wiio married Sallie 
Wilcox; William, who married Angeline War- 
burton; Aaron, who married Nancy Wilcox; 
and Harriet, who married Jewett Spencer. 

Archeless Brown, the oldest child born to 
his parents, was born near New Albany, Brad- 
ford County, Pa., and came with his father to 
what was called the \\'illiam's Settlement, Fox 
township, Sullivan County, Pa., in the year 
1824. Some years after he bought a farm in 
Fox township, which is now owned by his 
son, Murry, antl there followed the pursuits 
of an agriculturist throughout his life. Politi- 
cally he was a firm supporter of the Demo- 
cratic party. He w-as a man greatly esteemed 
for his high character and had manv friends. 
His property consisted of a farm of 100 acres. 
He was the ])rogenitor of the following chil- 
dren; Peter, who married Susan Mills; Han- 
nah, who married Frederick Anderson; Will- 
iam; George E. ; Sylvester, who married Har- 
riet Brown; Maria, who liecame the wife of 
William Bagley; Reuben, who married Man- 
thia Morgan; Chandler, who married Jane 
Morgan; Rosette; Rosilla, who married 
George Bryan; Almeda, who married James 
Bagley; Saloma, the wife of .Mien Rightmire; 
Murr}-, who married Matilda B;iltin; and Jud- 
son. 

George E. Brown, our subject, was also 
reared to agricultural pursuits and about fif- 
teen years ago bought 200 acres of land in 
Elkland township, moving thereon with his 
family a short time afterwards. He has since 



474 



liOOK OF lilOGRAPHIES. 



made tliat his home and lias been one of the 
.Ljood sulistantial men of llie connnunity. 
Aliout seven years ago, lie added loo acres 
to tlie original ])urchJise, securing it of Mr. 
V. Wells, but he later sold 40 acres of the 
lirsi ])urchase to John Bryan, Esq. At the 
time of making the original ]nn"cliase aliout 
125 acres had been cleared, but only 40 acres 
were in a fit state for cultivation. He has 
nut (inly greatly improved the soil, but the 
buildings as well, having erected a fine, mod- 
ern farm house, and large roomy liarns, which 
a.rc always one of the main essentials of suc- 
cessful farming. He also carries on lumber- 
ing to a certain extent. 

Mr. lirown was first united in marriage with 
Lucretia .\. Snell. a daughter of Thomas and 
Catherine ( I'.ryau) Snell, and they had two 
children: Thomas, deceased; and Frank L. 
He formed a second alliance with Emma A. 
Little, a daughter of Daniel and .Annie (Cay- 
less) Little, rdliticall)' he is a Re]>ublican, 
whilst in his religious \ievvs he is inclined to 
be liberal. 




IRA.M W. BOWICR, who is engaged 
in cnntracting in masonry and plas- 
tering work, is one of the enter- 
prising and successful business men of the 
borough of Berwick. He is a son of William 
and Sarah (Stephens) Bower, and was born 
in Center township, Columljia County, Pa., 
March 11. 1854. 

Michael Bower, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was born in Saxony, Germany, 
and came to this country at the age of thir- 
teen years. After his marriage he located in 
Kutztown, Berks County, but later came to 
Columbia County, and the family has since 
lieen closely identified with the county's 
growth and development. It was in the latter 



part of tlie last century that Micliael came to 
Columbia Coiuitv and |)urchased a small clear- 
ing in Ihiai'creek township and liecame one of 
the substantial agriculturists of that communi- 
ty. He also cleared a 120 acre tract, which is 
now^ owned by John Fester. His wife's maiden 
n;ime was Hill and they reared the following 
children: Jacob; Michael; Solomon; Dan- 
iel, the father of Francis \V. Bower, of Ber- 
wick; I^bilena; Catherine; and Abraham, the 
grandfather of our subject. 

.\braham Bower was born in Kutztown, 
Berks County, and was a young man when he 
came with bis father to Briarcreek tovwishiii. 
He learned the trade of a mason, but after 
liis marriage he bought a farm which he oper- 
ated, although he still made masonry his chief 
means of support. He was united in mar- 
liage to Helen Remley. a daughter of Michael 
and Susan Remley of Berks County, but later 
of Columbia County, and they were the par- 
ents oi the following children: Sanuiel, de- 
ceased; I'hebe, whose first union was with 
Daniel Miller, and second with Abraham 
C iilp: l^lizal)eth, who married Caleb Fowler; 
William, the father of our subject; Abraham, 
who died young; Susanna, who also died in 
infancy; Lavina, who married (jeorge John- 
son: Catherine, the wife of Thomas Evans; 
{•'.Hen, deceased; Rev. Aaron, a minister ui 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, now retired; 
Hiram, who is living in retirement at Ber- 
wick; and Matilda, who also married Ceorge 
Johnson, becoming his second wife. In po- 
litical belief Ah". Bower was a stanch Demo- 
crat and ser\cd his town as supervisor cnid 
school director. He passed into the unknown 
beyond at the age of seventy-eight years antl 
his worthy wife died at the advanced age of 
eiglity-four }ears. 

William Bower, the father of our subject, 
was born in Center town.-.hip, Columbia 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



475 



County, April 27, 1818, and with his father 
learned the trade of a mason and plasterer. 
He followed that trade for about forty years, 
the latter of which were spent in Berwick 
where he erected a fine home on Fifth street. 
After passing a long and useful life he folded 
liis hands in final rest, April 12, 1897. Re- 
ligiously he was an adherent to the doctrines 
jiromulgated in the Union Evangelical 
Church. He and Sarah Stephens took the 
marriage vows and their union was blessed 
liy the birth of the following children: Flora 
Deli'ah, who married Dr. M. E. Brown and 
is a resident of Seattle, Wash.; John S., born 
March 16. 1844, and died February 16, 1853; 
Lavina, born April 19, 1846, is the wife of 
G. P. Stiner of Orangeville; Emeline, born 
February 5. 1848, is the wife of George 
Herring of Orangeville; Catherine, the wife 
of \Mlliam F. Kline of Kansas, born Decem- 
ber 30, 1849; Elizabeth, deceased, born March 
9, 1852, and married A. Kisner; Fliram \\'.. 
the subject of this personal history; Mary N., 
uho was born ^March 3. 1856, and died Aug- 
n.st 23. 1877: Elwood. born December 26, 
1858; Ida, who died in infancy; Isaac Scott, 
who was born February 12, 1862, and is a 
resident of Salina, Kans. ; Sarah M., I)orn ^lav 
3, 1864; and Eva May, born August 5, 
1867, who married Wesley Cool of Nanti- 
coke. Pa. Mrs. Bower passed to her eternal 
rest March 18, 1888, aged sixty-seven years, 
one month, and twenty-two days. 

Hiram W. Bower attended the public 
schools until he was nineteen \ears of age, 
and then he learned tiie trade of a mason 
and plasterer. In 1878 he moved to Ells- 
worth, Kas., and after spending a year at his 
trade there, returned home. He soon after 
went to Nanticoke, where he clerked in the 
grocery store conducted l)y George O. Wel- 
liver, but being fond of travel and favorably 



impressed with Kansas on his first trip there, 
he decided to return to that state. After 
clerking there for some time he received an 
appointment as detective on the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad and during his service in that 
capacity he had several narrow escapes and 
thrilling experiences which were enough to 
test the bravery of any man. He performed 
the duties faithfully and was rewarded by a 
position in the general ofifices at Wallace, 
Kans., where he learned telegraphy. Later he 
was advanced to foreman of the mason, con- 
structing and building department of two di- 
visions extending from Brookville to Denver, 
a distance of some four hundred and thirty- 
nine miles. In 1882 he returned to his home 
in Berwick in order to enter the realms of 
matrimony, and has since made that borough 
his home. He has since been engaged in con- 
tracting in masonr)- and plastering. He has 
had years of ex])erience in that line of busi- 
ness and has had the contract for many of the 
largest buildings in his section of the county. 
He lias done the masonry and plastering on 
the following buildings: The opera house of 
Berwick, the l:)eautiful residence of C. R. 
Woodin of Berwick Heights, the wheel foun 
dry of the Jackson & Woodin Company, and 
the residence of J. W' . Evans, and many of the 
residences of Berwick and vicinity. Mr. 
Bower's honestv in dealing with others has 
never been cpiestioned and he is firmly estab- 
lished in the good-will and friendship of his 
fellow-citizens. 

On January 3, 1882, our subject formed a 
iiatrimonial alliance with Hattie Suit, a 
daughter of James Suit of Berwick, and their 
happy union has l)een blessed by the birth of 
the following children : Odell S., who was 
born in Salem township, Luzerne County, 
September 3, 1883; Randall, born in Berwick 
in December, 1884: Blanche, born October 



476 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



24. 1886: Ralph, bom May 17. 1888: one 
wlio ilied in infancy: Arllun'. deceased, horn 
Fel)rnary 7. 1891; Martha, liorr June 24. 
1892: and Lewis, horn No\eniher 18, 1893. 
In rcHt^ions attachments, the family are Meth- 
(;(hsts. ( )ur suhject is a stanch snpporter of 
tlic ])rinciples of the Democratic iiarty. He is 
a mcmhcr of the P. O. S. of A.; jjast chief of 
the Knights of the Golden Eagle; past com- 
mander (.f the Knights of Malta; and a mcm- 
hcr of l!lu')msl)urg Lodge, No. 436, Elks. 




OW'ARl^ D. AVERY is ])rominently 
idciitilied with the cultivation of the 
soil in Sullivan County, Pa., and 
if the owner of a handsome farm located near 
I'.agles Mere, in Shrewsbury township. He 
was horn in Sullivan County, N. ^'., .\pril 4, 
JS39. and is a son of John F. and Hannah 
( Lukins) Avery. 

John F. Avery was born in Plaintield Coun- 
ty, Conn., from which place he moved to Sul- 
livan Cf)unty, X. Y., where for six years he 
followed his trade as a watchmaker, jeweler 
and sibersmith; lie then became a resident 
of Wayne County, Pa., where he worked at 
l-.is trade several years, but was obliged to give 
it up on account of his eyesight failing him. 
Farming then became his occupation, which 
he successfully continued until his death, 
which was in the fall of 1872. He was mar- 
ried to Hannah Lukins, a native of Phila- 
delphia, and she passed from this life at Scran- 
ton, Pa., in the fall of 1894. This union re- 
sulted in the birth of eight children, as fol- 
lows: Mary, who is the widow of H. W. 
Mitchell and resides in Americus, Kans.; John 
T., who died in Minnesota in 1874; Addie, 
the widow of Thomas Young, who now re- 
sides in LeKov. Minn.; Frank H., who died 



in Minnesota in 1885; Howard D., our sub- 
ject; Linnie, the wife of R. Y. Mitchell of 
Findlaw ( )hio; .\cllic. joined in marri;ige with 
H. ]'. Woodward, an editor residing at Scran- 
ton, Pa.; and Richard L., wiio lives at Chi- 
cago, 111. 

Howard 1). .\ver\- attended the district 
schools and remained under the parental roof 
until the breaking out of the Civil War. when, 
en Se]5tembcr 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company 
1, 84th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., serving under 
Cols. Bowman and M. Opp and Capt. John R. 
Ross of \\'ayne County. This company took 
part in all the engagements of the Army of 
the Potomac, which included the notable bat- 
tles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wil- 
derness, Si)ott.sylvania, and Petersburg, Va., 
and was close to Gen. Lee when th;it famous 
soldier surrendered. After ])eace had been 
restored our subject received an honoraljle 
discharge at Harrisburg, Pa., June 5, 1865. 
Returning to his home in Wayne County he 
began tilling the soil, remaining there until 
1873, when he removed to Sullivan County, 
and located on his present farm; with the ex- 
ception of four years which were s])ent in 
farming in Morgan County, West X'irginia. 
our subject has remained on his present farm 
v.]i to the present time. He owns fifty rich 
and fertile acres of land and has made all the 
improvements himself, as when he first took 
possession of the land it was covered with a 
dense forest, that has since been entirely' 
cleared away. Our subject is a hard-working 
:nan, is enterprising and industrious, and his 
duties to the public are performed in such a 
manner as to make him hosts of friends. 

Mr. Avery, on August 27, 1862, wedded 
Victoria E. Mitchell, born in \\'ayne County, 
Pa.. June 7, 1841, and a daughter of Rev. John 
T. and Elmira (Wheeler) Mitchell; her father 
was a Bai)tist minister and he and his wife are 




LINCOLN S. WALTER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



479 



now (leceasetl. Our sul)ji'ct ami wife were 
blessed by the birth of four ehildren. as fol- 
lows: Howard E., who died aged twenty- 
three years; Laura E., died aged twelve years; 
Arthur L., a contractor, builder and painter 
at Williamsport, Pa., who was joined in mar- 
riage with Phoebe Roller; and Friend, who 
assists his brother at Williamsport. and also 
attends commercial school there. Politically 
Mr. Avery is a strong^ Prohibitionist; socially, 
he is a member of Simmons Post. G. A. R., 
of Sonestown; religiously, he and his wife 
are mcnd)ers of the Baptist Church. 




INCOLN S. WAI/ri'lR, an inHuential 
citizen of Mount L'arniel. .\orthum- 
beil.'un! County. Pa., whose recent 
porlr.-iil is shown on the ojjpositc page, is a 
lawyer of recognized ability. He is a son of 
Solomon B. and Catherine (Mark) Walter, 
and was born in Chilliscjuaciue township, 
Northumberland County, July i, 1862. He 
is of Scotch descent and is a grandson of 
George ^Valter, a native of Scotland, who, 
upon coming to this country, located in Union 
County, Pa., where he lived until his death. 

Solomon B. Walter, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Union County in 1822 and 
resided there until he was twenty-two or twen- 
ty-three years of age, when he moved to Chil- 
lisqnaque township. He was a man of super- 
ior educational attainments, being well versed 
in both the luiglish and German languages, 
and taught school in Union County for a 
number of years. .\t the outbreak of the 
Civil War he offered his services in behalf of 
the L'nidU but the>' were rejected on the 
ground of j^hysical disability. He was deeply- 
interested in politics, being a supporter of 
the Republic.'ui party, ancl he served for sev- 



eral years as school director in his township. 
In religious attachments he was a member of 
the Evangelical Church. Pie was joined in 
the holy bonds of wedlock with Catherine 
Mark, who was I)orn in 1827 and is now en- 
joying life at an ad\anced age; her father 
was of German ancestry and a well known 
resident of Snyder County. The union re- 
sulted in the following offspring: Cyrus F., 
a merchant of Lcwisl)urg, Pa.; George M., a 
farmer of Chillis(|uaque township; Lincoln S., 
the subject of this personal sketch; Chester 
1'.. who is engaged in mercantile pursuits in 
Chillis(|uaque township; Mary, the wife of 
.\bram Grove, a farmer of Union County; 
Lillian, the wife of Dr. G. W. Furey of Sun- 
bury; Joanna, the wife of Rev. 1"". 11. Sher- 
nier, a minister of the P»a]itist Church at Cape 
]\Lay Courthouse, N. J.; Lavina, who resides 
at home; and Maggie, deceased, who was the 
wife of Wesley U. Herr of Clinton County, Pa. 
Lincoln S. Walter received his primary edu- 
cation in the public schools of Chillisquaque 
townshi]). after which he entered Bucknell 
University, from which institution he was 
graduated in 1886, having completed a 
full classical course. After teaching school 
for two years in Pottsgrove Academy, he be- 
gan to prepare for his chosen profession, that 
of law, entering the office of J. Nevin Hill of 
Sunburv. He was admitted to the bar in 
September. 1889. and at once located at 
Mount Carmel, where in a short time he rose 
to a position of prominence as a lawyer. Our 
subject is shrewd and possessed of more than 
an ordinary amount of energy and, having un- 
dertaken a case for his client, he fights it 
stubbornly to the end. His knowledge of the 
principles of law is extensive and he has the 
hai)])v faculty of ajiplying them to the intri- 
cate questions which arise in every-day busi- 
ness affairs. In politics Mr. \\'a]ter is affdi- 



4H0 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIKS. 



ated with the l^epuhlican party and enters 
actively into the workinjjs nf that organiza- 
lidu. Tie lias been a dele^ale to state con- 
\entions and has been frei|uentl\ called upon 
to place candidates in nomination. 

(_)n June 26, 1890, our subject was united 
in marriage with Carrie R. McNinch, a daugh- 
ter of Samuel McNinch, who for many years 
was a leading citizen and tanner of Potts- 
grove, and they are the parents of two sons: 
Mark M., born December 21, 1891; and 
Stuart M., born July 17, 1895. Fraternally 
our subject is a meml)er of W'ashington 
Camp, No. 35, P. O. S. of A.; Lodge No. 
256, P.. P. O. K. ; and the Commandery. 
Knights of Malta, ha\-ing passed through all 
of the chairs, being at present past com- 
mander. 

Mr. Walter was a passenger on the train 
which was wrecked on the Lehigh Valley 
Railroad at Dunellen, X. J., on January 9, 
1899, and was seriously injured. He sus- 
tained a compound fracture of his left leg. 
Seventeen persons in the car in which Mr. 
Walter rode were killed, and ]\Ir. Walter's 
escape from death ajipears almost miraculous. 




'AMUEL E. PERCiSTRESSER is rec- 
ognized as one of Mount Carniers fore- 
most and most progressive business 
men, being jjrojirielor of a large hardware 
business and also being in the lire insurance 
business, representing several <if the leading 
companies in the United States. He is a son 
of Samuel A. and IClizabelh (Case) liergstres- 
ser, and was born in Elysburg, P)ecember T2, 

1854. 

Our subject was educated in the common 
schools of Elysburg and in the academy at 



that place and also luuk a course in an East- 
man National lousiness College, frf)m which 
he graduated in the spring of 187^^. lie then 
worked as a clerk imtil the spring of 1875, 
and in August of that year he engaged in busi- 
ness with his father, the former having about 
five years previdiis removed to Mount Carmel 
and opened a hardware store. The business 
was unusually successful and our subject con- 
tinued in it with his parent until 1882. when 
he branched out for himself, continuing the 
hardware line. He has since been actixe'y 
engaged in that business and has made it one 
of the [irincipal and largest mercantile inter- 
ests of Alount Carmel. A handsome and sub- 
stantial brick Iniilding on Oak street, 25x75 
feet in dimensions and three stories high, is 
devoted entirely to the very large and the 
constantly increasing business which, linder 
Mr. Bergstresser's able management, has 
grown to be one of the most important and 
one of the largest concerns in Northumber- 
land County. In addition to his original busi- 
ness our subject also is agent for nine of the 
leading and most representati\e fire insurance 
companies in the coimtrw an.d he annually 
places many thousands of dollars of lire in- 
surance, so satisfactorily and i)rom])tl_v does 
he adjust losses and so reliable are the com- 
panies he represents. .Mr. I'ergstresser was 
one of the organizers of and is now a director 
in the First National llanl-c of Mount Carmel; 
is a director in the .Mount Carmel Water 
Company, of which l.e was an original mem- 
ber; was an organizer of the Edison h'.lectric 
Pluminating Coni])any. of which he is treas- 
urer; a director of the Citizens' I'nilding &• 
Loan Association of Mount Carmel: also a 
director of the Mount Carmel Iron Works. 

Politically our subject long has been an ar- 
dent and an active Republican, although he 
never has cared to relax his attention to busi- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



481 



nes3 sufficiently to acce])t office, so frc<|uentl)- 
as lie might have done. He has served twelve 
■ years continuously on the board of school di- 
rectors of Mount Carmel, taking especial in- 
terest in school work and doing much to ad- 
vance the schools to their present high posi- 
tion among the schools of this state. 

I'^raternally our subject is a pinmiinent 
member of Mount Carmel Lodge, No. 378, 
F. & A. M.; Griscomb Chapter No. 219, R. 
A. M., and Prince of Peace Commandery No. 
39, Knights Templar, of Ashland, Pa. ; and a 
member of Washington Camp No. 231, P. O. 
S. of A., of Mount Carmel. 

On May 4, 1879, Mr. Bergstresser was 
miited in m.irriage to Clara Keeler, daughter 
of Ralph Keeler of Northumberland County, 
and to them have been born se\'en children: 
h'-lizalicth E.; James L.; Florence Ethel; 
Clara !>.; John Walter; Catharine K.; and 
Sanuiel .\. 

The subject of this sketch, Samuel E. Berg- 
stresser, comes of a family of pioneers in this 
state who lived useful and honorable lives 
in Eastern Pennsylvania, where they were 
among the earliest settlers. Samuel A. Berg- 
stresser, the father of our subject, was born 
December 25, 1816, near Mifflinsburg, for- 
merly in this county but now in Union Coun- 
ty. He is a son of John and Ann (Auchmuty) 
Bergstresser. His paternal great-grandfather 
was John Jacob Bergstresser, a native of Ger- 
many, who came to this country in 1731 and 
settled in the eastern ]iart of Pennsylvania. 
Subsequently, with his three brothers, he re- 
moved to Union County, where they were 
among the earliest settlers. The paternal 
grandfather of Samuel A. Bergstresser, Philiji 
Bergstresser, was a native of Montgomery 
County, this state, was a farmer by avocation, 
and died in Union County. The father of Mr. 
Bergstresser and the i)aternal grandfather of 



the subject of our sketch. John I'.ergstresser, 
was born in Union County, October 8, 1775, 
and resided in that county for a number of 
years. He removed to Dauphin County, Pa., 
where he died March i-j, 1852. He was a 
luillwright by trade and ran several saw and 
grist mills, building one at Fisher's Eerrv in 



he successfully operated f 



or nnie 



1S17, which 

years. He served as ca])tain of a comi)anv of 
American volunteers in the War of 1812. His 
wife, .-\nn :\uchmuty, was a daughter of Sam- 
uel and Ami (AIcMahan) Auchmuty. Samuel 
.\uclimuty was born near Selinsgrove, Pa., 
where he resided nearly all his life time. He 
served with the patriots in the War of the 
l\e\'olutiiin from iz/f) to 1781. lie was a 
jirivate in Capt. Stephen Chambers' conipanv 
of the I2tli Regiment: was transferred to the 
3d Regiment in July, \'J'/'^, and was dis- 
charged from the American .\rmv januarv 25, 
1781. John Bergstresser was the father of ten 
children, as follows; Jacob; William; Mary, 
wife of Joseph Shipman; John; Lot; Phebe, 
wlio became Mrs. Jonathan HofTman; Sam- 
uel A., the father of our subject; Hannah, 
Mrs. Daniel Rumbarger; Asa; and Julia, Mrs. 
A. B. S|)rout, all of whom are deceased ex- 
cepting Samuel A. and Asa. 

Samuel A. Bergstresser, the esteemed fath- 
er of the subject of this review, came to 
Northumberland County with his jiarents in 
1817. He received some education in a suli- 
scription school, but, as his father died when 
he was quite young, he was obliged early in 
his youth to "paddle his own canoe." He 
learned the trade of millwright of his father 
and followed it for about twelve years in the 
vicinity of his home. In 1847 he took his mod- 
est savings and went to Elysburg, where he 
entered into business, opening a general store, 
which he conducted very successfull)- until 
1870, a period of twenty-three _\'ears. He 



482 



liOUK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



removed U> Mount Carmel in 1870 and there 
engat^ed in general nien-liandising, soon pos- 
sessing a large and \ery successful IniNiuess. 
He continued as the active head of the busi- 
ness until 1873, when lie practically retired, 
leaving the business in charge of his son, Sam- 
uel E., the subject of our sketch. In politics 
the father of our subject was originally a 
Whig, and naturally he was one of the organ- 
izers of the Republican party, with which he 
has been allied since its formation in 1856. In 
1853-54 Mr. Bergstresser served as a member 
of the State Legislature for Northumberland 
County, and in 18C10 he was a delegate in the 
Republican national convention at Chicago 
which nominated Lincoln for president. He 
has frequently served the borough as school 
director and councihnaii. He is an elder in 
the Tresbytcrian Church, of which he has been 
a member for o\er fifty years. He was one 
of the organizers of the First Presbyterian 
Church of Mount Carmel, which was organ- 
ized July ID, 1887, being one of the first board 
of elders. He was a charter member of Elys- 
burg Lodge No. 414. l". & A. M.; a memlier 
of Griscomb Chapter i\o. 2i<j, R. A. M,; and 
I'rinc.e of Peace Ccjmmandery No. 39 of Ash- 
land, Pa. The father of our subject has twice 
married. He first won as his bride I'".lizabeth 
Case, daughter of John Case of Montom' 
County, Pa. To them were born seven chil- 
dren, fom' of whom died in infaiicw Tliese 
survived to j'oulh: h'.lla. who died at the age 
of twenty-one years; James Cal\ in, who is the 
editor and ])roi)rietor of the Insurance World- 
of Pittsburg; and Samuel E., the subject of 
this review. Mr. Piergstresser's seconil mar- 
riage was to .\ima M. Kobins, sister of Dr. 
Edwin S. Robins of Shamokin. Td this mar- 
riage has been born one daughter. Annie, who 
died in her infancv. 



ACOB H. SWENK, train-master of the 
Sunbm'v and Shamokin di\ision of the 
I'ennsvKania Railroad, stationed at 
Sunbury, Pa., is a son of Justus and Hannah 
(Harris) Swenk, and was born August 18, 
1846, at Milton, Northumberland County, Pa. 

The family is of German origin and the 
name was formerly spelled Schwenk. Prior 
to the Revolutionary War the family settled 
in Montgomery County, Pa., at or near "The 
Tra])])e." Jacob Swenk, the grandfather of 
our subject, was born at "The Trappe," grew 
to manhood, married there and subsequently 
moved to Milton, Northumberland County, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, dy- 
ing in 1870 at the age of seventy-four years. 
He bought produce in large cpiantities and by 
means of several canal-boats which he owned 
transported it to various Eastern markets 
on the Pennsylvania Canal, and on his return 
brought goods for xarious merchants along 
the route, as railroad facilities at that time 
were few and inadecjuate. 

One of Jacob's sons, who was named Jus- 
tus Swenk, and was our subject's father, was 
born at "The Trap]ie" and moved with his 
]oarents to Milton, where he spent nearly all 
his active career. He, howe\er. moved a few 
years ])rior to his death to Lock Haven, Pa., 
and died there in April. 1886, aged seventy- 
si.\ years. Early in life he engaged in the 
manufacture of rope which business he con- 
tinued successfull}- at Miltt)n until i8C)7. lie 
was also associated for many }'ears with his 
father in buying and shi])])ing ])rtjduce. lie 
marrietl Hannah Harris, who died in 1873, 
aged fifty years. Their family C(.)nsisted of 
three sons and three daughters, as follows: 
Mrs. C. C. Straub of Milton, now dead; Mrs. 
Mary E. Frymier of Williamsport, Pa.; Mrs. 
Anna DefTenbach of Brooklyn, N. Y.. now 
tlead; R. H. Swenk, a prosperous farmer re- 




JOHN H. GOESER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



485 



siding at Pleasant Valley, Pa.; Jacob H., our 
subject; ami Tlionias G.. a niercliant of J\Iun- 
cy, Pa., and also operator for tbe Western 
Union Telegraph Company at that place. 

Jacob PI. Swenk, our subject, attended the 
common schools of Milton until he attained 
the age of fifteen years when he entered the 
Aliltonian printing office at Milton and re- 
mained there five years, mastering the trade of 
a compositor, ^\'hile in that office he learned 
telegraphy and in 1866 entered the employ of 
the Pennsylvania Railroad as telegraph opera- 
tor at Jersey Shore, Pa. He, however, re- 
mained there but two weeks when he was 
transferred to Sunbury, Northumberland 
County, in January, 1867, as a telegraph oper- 
ator for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. 
He worked in various capacities until 1870 
when he was made train-despatcher and di- 
vision operator, continuing thus thirteen 
years. In the latter part of 1883 he was re- 
lieved of the duties of train-despatcher; and, 
in addition to his duties as division operator, 
was made assistant train-master. On May i, 
1891, he was proiuoteil to the position of 
train-master which he is now efficiently filling. 

Our sul)ject is a Republican and has been 
elected to the borough council for two terms, 
lie has been for many years an active and 
])rominent niem])er of St. Matthew's Episco- 
pal Church of which be is junior warden, and 
is also treasurer of tbe parish bouse connected 
with the church. On November 2, 1871, our 
subject married Clara Haas, a daughter of 
Daniel Haas of Sunbury. They have two 
sons: Dr. Charles H., who was graduated 
from the Sunbury High School and subse- 
(|uently spent three years in Bucknell Uni- 
versity at Lewisburg, Pa., after which be 
studied medicine and in 1897 was graduated 
from the Medico-Chirurgical College, Phila- 
delplria, — he then spent nine months in the 



Miners' .Stale Hospital at Ashland, Pa., in 
practical clinical work and is now located at 
Shickshinny, Pa., where be is ]:)racticing his 
profession and is also surgeon for tbe Penn- 
svlvania Railroad Company; and Ra_\nii)nd, 
who is attending school. 



^OHN H. GOESER, of the firm of J. 
H. Goeser & Co., wholesale dealers 
in groceries, is one of the most highly- 
respected citizens of Danville, Pa., was born 
in Danville January i, 1852, and is a son 
of Anthony and Catherine (Schumacher) 
Goeser, and a grandson of John Goeser, wln) 
was a farmer of German}-. 

Anthonv Goeser, the father of our suluect, 
was born on the river Rhine and was the 
first of the family to come to America. He 
was born and reared upon a farm, and, los- 
ing his father when a lad, in 1812 began work- 
ing to assist bis mother in supporting her 
large family. A short time later his mother 
was united in marriage, and our subject's 
father, at the age of nine years, was put out 
.with other relatives to seek a living for him- 
self. Attaining his manhood with a strong- 
constitution anil willing hands, he engaged in 
farming; he was a man of untiring energy and 
perseverance and by the exercise of economy, 
be succeeded in l;iying aside most of his earn- 
ings. Plis molher passed from this life at tbe 
age of fifty-eight years, and .\nthouy and his 
younger and only brother took possession of 
their father's fru-m and carried on general 
farming until 1843, when Anthony sold his 
interest in the farm to his brother. Leaving 
his home and sweetheart, Anthony departed 
from his native country, and on the ship 
"Manchester," sailed to the United States, 
landing in the city of New York. He took 
the steamer to -Mbany, N. Y., and went 



4M(i 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



thence by railroad to Buffalo. Later he went 
we.st as far as Wisconsin, wlicre he intended 
locating', liul Ijcini^- very nuu-h disappointed 
willi ihis country, he returned to his native 
land. Shortly after arri\ins in Prussia, he re- 
cei\cd a Utter from a friend who resided in 
Danville, I'a., luid in 1842 again sailed for 
the United Stales, then locating at Danville, 
where he was eni])loyed in the rolling mills 
as a rail str;iiglitencr. lie remained in this 
country some time and then returned to Prus- 
sia, where he was imited in marriage with 
Catherine .Schumacher, who li\-ed in Muen- 
stereifel l';nisli. on an est.ale called I loespelt. 
Mr. (loeser made her accpiaintance while 
working for her father and nuich ag;iinst her 
|);u"enls' will the\ were married. With his 
hridc he returned to the I'uited States for 
the third time to build ;i home, ;uid to ac- 
cunml;ite a foittme. They huilt a home on 
^'ork's Hill, Montour Couut\-, and in 1857 
erecte<l a large house and kejjt boarders; the 
hotel was known as the "Father Ryne 
House;" in 1873, when the local option edict 
was passed against the usage of liquor, our 
subject's father abandoned the sale of liquor 
and only cider thereafter was sold, and the 
hotel was then known as the "Cider Depot." 
The latter part of Anthony's life was spent in 
retirement and enjoying the fruits of his la- 
bors. He entered the world of rest in 1880. 
( )ne child was born to Mr. and ]\[rs. Goeser, 
John H., our subject. Mr. (loeser was a Ger- 
man Catholic, and in 1862 founded St. Hu- 
bert's German Catholic Church and school. 

John H. Goeser was educated in the com- 
mon schools of his native town, and his 
younger days were spent working with his 
father. His first business undertaking was in 
tobacco; purchasing a horse and wagon he 
engaged in the wholesale business, which was 
successful from thfe start, and in later years 



he engaged in the wholesale grocery business 
at Pottsvillc, Pa., with Joseph Hnmmell. Two 

\cars later he sold his interest, mo\ed to 1 )au- 
\ilk\ ;md established his ]iresent business, 
lie formed a company with Joseph Fish and 
Joseph Snyder, and they erected at No. 122 
Fast Center .street a large three-story brick 
block; they also built a large warehouse. 
( )ur subject also built a line store at Mount 
( armel, I'a., at a cost of $8,000. The pro- 
prietors are })opnlar and highly esteemed citi- 
zens, who have a good reputation for hon- 
esty, and tiieir establishment is one of the 
largest of its kind in Central Pennsylvania. 
Our subject was one of the promoters and 
.served as ])resident of the Fquitable Stocking 
Compan\- of l)an\ille, now known as the Dan- 
\ille Knitting Mills Company, in which he 
owns an interest. He was instrmucntrd in se- 
curing the silk mill. 

Mr. Goeser has .served three terms as alder- 
man from the Third Ward, and is president of 
the board of trade, of which he is in fact 
the life and backbone. In 1878 he formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Theresa Liebner, a 
daughter of Joseph Liebner of Pottsville, Pa., 
and to this union five children have been 
born: Coletta; Joseph; Carl; and Mary and 
.\ugusta, both of whom died in infancw 
Mr. Goeser and familv are members and regu- 
lar su])porters of the (ierman Catholic Church 
of D.'unille. ( )ur subject has enlarged and 
remodeled his father's homestead into a hue 
residence. He is a very energetic and suc- 
cessful business man, and holds a j^rominent 
position rnnong his fellow-citizens. Mr. (ioe- 
ser's ])ortrait is shown on another page. 



-r^/^^ILLF\M HEMI 

\Y\/ worthy ;md estee 

V> V^ Shamokin, is iiurel 



sceiU. 



HEMINGR.W, Sr., a 
esteemed citizen of 
]")urelv of English de- 
le is a scju of John and Ann (Ellis) 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



487 



1 leiniiis^ra}- and was lidni April 22, 1826, at 
till' family lioniesteail in I 'crbyshifc, luigland. 

■ Jolm liemingray, father of our subject, was 
horn in llie villas^e of Heage, Derln'shire, Eng- 
lanil, aliout 1783. He was reared and edu- 
cated in the same village, where he followed 
the occupation of a miner for many years, but 
finally conceived the idea of trying to better 
his condition in life by coming to America. 
He brought with liim his wife, formerly Ann 
Ellis of Castle Dunington, England, and his 
son William, and located at Mt. Laffer, 
Schu}lkill County, Pa., where he again turned 
his attention to mining, but death overtook 
him in 1846, just ten weeks after coming to 
America. His widow fifteen years later 
crossed to the unknown shore. 

\\'illiam Hemingray had very poor advan- 
tages for ol)taining an education during his 
boyhood, which was s])ent in England. \Vhen 
twent}' Acars old he left England with his 
parents and came to .\merica. They reached 
the mining" districts of Penns\lvania and lo- 
cated in Schuylkill County, where he engaged- 
in mining-. After mining there about five 
years he located at Yellow Springs, Dauphin 
Countv, where he continued the same occu- 
pation for one xcav. and was jiromoted to the 
position of pit-boss, which position he re- 
tained for three years, gi\ing entire satisfac- 
tion to his employers. His next move was to 
the liituminous coal regions of Chesterheld 
County, in Eastern Virginia, where he re- 
mained for two years, and then returned to 
Dauphin County. Pa., and took charge of the 
outside workings of a colliery at Ranch's Gap, 
where he remained for some time. He was 
;-fterwards locatcil at the following places: 
Kanawha \'alle\ . W. \'a.. where he was em- 
ploved as mine-foreman by Col. Garland', and 
remained for three years; Lykens. Dauphin 
Counts', where he continued lo laluir till the I 



(/Utbrcak of the ixcbcllion; Gil).)erton, Schuxd- 
kill County, at which ])lace he was foreman of 
the South Side Colliery for one year and a 
half; Ashland, where he had charge of Rep])- 
tier's colliery for a term of three A-ears, re- 
signing his position to accept the more im- 
portant position of mine inspector. He yielded 
to the urgent solicitations of his friends and 
became a candidate for this office in 1873, be- 
ing elected by a majority of the examining 
board. He served in that capacity five years, 
making his headquarters at Shamokin. 

Mr. Hemingray had nia.de mining a life- 
study, and, having worked about mines all his 
life, he was thoroughly qualified to fill this 
high office in an able manner and discharge 
its duties most ;iccepta1)]y. He still makes 
Shamokin his home. ( )f late years he has 
done no active work in the line of mining, ex- 
cept locating mines in the anthracite region. 
He has made a study of geological subjects, 
especially iron ore and coal, and is considered 
good authorit}- on this sul)ject. Rebecca 
Chaimdy became his wife. She is deceased, 
having passed away May 30, 1895. But two 
of their children grew to maturity: William, 
Jr., born June, 185 [, was united in marriage 
with Ella Samuels, born in 1856. Their home 
was blessed by the presence of one daughter, 
Cora, horn in 1876. She was reared in Sha- 
mokin and is highly educated, being a grad- 
uate of the Shamokin High .School. She is 
now a very successful teacher in her natix-e 
city. Lizzie, wife of \\'illiam Morgan, died, 
lea\ing two children as a legacy to her 
husband: I.ila, who lives with her father in 
Shamokin, and is his joy and comfort; and 
Derby, who now resides near Philadelphia. 

Our subject has always taken an active ]>art 
in educational aft'airs in his community, and 
has served a term of five years as school direc- 
tor. He is an earnest Republican and zealously 



4«H 



BOOK OF lilOGRAl'IIIKS. 



advocates tlic ])riiici])les of liis party. Socially 
lie is a inenil)er of tiie I. ( ). C). ¥., and affil- 
iates witli tile nieiiiliers of Sliaiiiokin Lodge. 
He is a willing- worker in the M. E. Chnrch 
and lias lived rni acti\e and nscfnl life. 




I'.TT'IR G. MILl.l'.K, ,i wlioles;ile and 
retail dealer in coal and wood located 
at No. 86i Market street, I'.loonis- 
hnrg, Columbia County, Pa., and one of the 
most enterprising and ]irosperous citizens of 
that town, was hoiMi at Tittston, Luzerne 
Countv, I'a., October ii, 1SO3, and is a son 
of Jacob Miller, also a native of Luzerne 
County. 

( )ur subject was educatt'd in the pulilic 
schools of i'ittston and in 1SS7 he renio\ed 
to liloonisburg and engaged in the tobacco 
and cigar business on .Market street, wliere 
J. Moyer now resides. He discontinued that 
business one year later and rented the old 
Jacoby coal yards which he conducted for two 
years; at the expiration of that time he i)ur- 
chased the yards and built new stables, ice- 
iKUises, an office, and two dwellings, one of 
which is a handsome brick structure and is 
the home of our subject. Mr. Miller ope- 
rates the largest coal and wood yards in Co- 
hnnbia County. His coal is delivered to him 
by canal-boats and he owns a storage-dock 
which has a capacity of four thousand tons. 

Mr. Miller was united in the bonds of mat- 
rimony to Margaret Jacoby, ;i daughter of 
Oliver and Eliza (Hartniant Jacoby, and 
granddaughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Weikle) Jacoby. John J.'icoby was born in 
Hillstown, Rucks County, I'n., and his wife 
was a native of Coopersburg, I'a.; soon after 
their marriage, they movetl to r.lonnisburg. 
where he followed his trade as a wheelwrighl. 



They were the parents of the following child- 
ren : Melvjua; Maria; Oliver y\.; Arminda; 
Enos; and Martha M. He died voung and his 
wife i)assed fnmi this life aged eighty-four 
years. 01i\er A. Jacoby, the father of our sub- 
ject's wife, was born near the city of Philadel- 
phia, October 12, 1820, and died in 1S90. He 
was a very successful man in business and suc- 
ceeded in accunudating a comfortable fortune. 
He was wedded to I-lliza llartman who bore 
liim the following children: Leonora, wife of 
(_/. A. AlcKel\e\'; George, tleceased; Jennie, 
also deceased; and Margaret, wife of our sub- 
ject. Mr. Jacoby was a strong Republican 
in jx)litics, was a luember of the L O. O. F. 
of Lloomsburg, and served as a school ilirec- 
tor several years. Religiously he was a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. 

To Mr. :uid Mrs. Miller has been born one 
child, i''dw;u"d J. In ])olitical \iews, our sub- 
ject tirnd\- su])ports the Rejiublican ]);u'ty. 
Mr. j\liller is in the prime of life, prosperous, 
and surrounded by many warm friends. He 
is a wide-awake and energetic business man 
and has given aid and comfort to numerous 
enterprises other than business ones. 




T,BERT C. FISHER, a well-known 
citizen of Trevorton, Northumber- 
land County, Pa., is a son of Jacob 
and Margaret (Bower) Fisher, and was born 
September 25, 1859, in Trevorton, Pa. 

The ]>aternal grandfather. Christian Fisher, 
was a nati\e of W'urtemberg. (Jermany. and 
never came to America. His son, Jacob, our 
subject's father, was born April 23, 1828, in 
Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to Amer- 
ica in iS3ri. loc;Uing at Trevortcju, Pa. Al- 
though he had learned the trade of a silk- 
wea\er in Germanv, he worked in the mines, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



489 



being engaged tliere for a period of thirty 
years, after tliat time assisting liis son in tlie 
store. He is a meml)er of the Evangelical 
Church. His wife has been dead several years. 
Their children were : Bertha, whose first hus- 
band was Albert Wetzel, and whose second 
husband was Daniel Reitz of Bear Valley; 
Albert C, our subject; Jacob, a laborer living 
in Golden, Colo.; and Mary, the wife of 
George B. Raker of Trevorton. 

Albert C. Fisher, the subject of this biog- 
raphy, A\as educated in the common schools 
and learned the trade of a baker at Ashland, 
Pa. He has since followed that business con- 
stantly in Trevorton, Pa., also carrying on the 
mercantile business. He does an extensive 
business and is favorably known for his up- 
right dealings with all. 

Politically Mr. Fisher has always been an 
unswerving Republican, but has never as- 
pired to otifice. He is a member of the P. O. 
S. of A. Mr. Fisher married Ella Fritz, an es- 
teemed lady of Trevorton. 




OLOMON SCHOENER, a highly 
respected citizen of the borough of 
Mount Carmel, who for many years 
was employed in the collieries in that locality, 
is a son of John and Anna (Evans) Schoener, 
and was born near Womelsdorf.. Berks Coun- 
ty, Pa., May 15, 1830. 

John Schoener, the father of our subject, 
was born in Bucks County, Pa., but emigrated 
to Berks County and settled near the village 
of Rohrersburg, where he lived until his 
death. His occupation was that of a black- 
smith and he always followed it successfully. 
He married Anna Evans, by whom he had a 
family of eleven chiklren, namely: Andrew, 
deceased; Mary; William, deceased; Sarah; 
Afahlon, a fanner living in Berks County; 



John, also a resident of Berks County; Solo- 
mon, our suljject; Frank, a resident of Berks 
County; and three others who died in in- 
fancy. 

Solomon Schoener was reared in Berks 
County, where he resided until fifteen years 
of age, when he removed to Union County, 
and there learned the trade of a tobacconist. 
He subsequently removed to Schuylkill Coun- 
ty, where he resided until he removefl to 
Mount Carmel. in April, 1876, where he was 
employed in the collieries several years as a 
laborer in getting out timber for the mines. 
He is a man of excellent judgment, is ener- 
getic, and possesses the confidence of all with 
whom he has any business or social relations. 
In political attachments he is a firm supporter 
of the Prohibition party, both by influence 
and vote, but he was at one time a member 
of the Republican party. He has served as a 
councilman in the borough a number of times 
to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. 
In addition to his other business interests he 
has always dealt quite extensively in real es- 
tate in Mount Carmel, at one time owning 
the Mount Carmel House. He was for some 
time the largest real estate dealer in Mount 
Carmel, but as the town grew and the demand 
for building property increased he gradually 
disposed of his holdings. At the present time 
he owns three tenement houses and five va- 
cant lots in Mount Carmel. He owns also 
two tenements in Mahanoy City, and is also 
interested in real estate in Lewisburg and 
Wyomissing, the latter a suburb of Reading. 

Mr. Schoener has l)een twice joined in 
hymeneal bonds, his first union l)eing with 
Maria Wonier, by whom he had three chil- 
dren, as follows: Irvin, deceased; Franklin, 
a confectioner at Mount Carmel; and Anna, 
the wife of Harry Woodley of Mount Carmel. 
He formed a second alliance with Catherine 



490 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Womer, now deceased, a sister of his first wife, 
and they had nine cliildren: Jolm, deceased; 
Charles, deceaseil; William, who holds a cler- 
ical position; Delia, the wife of Elmer John, 
an attorney-at-law of Monnt Carmel; An- 
drew, a resident of Mount Carmel, who was 
admitted to the l>ar at Carlisle, Pa., in Jnnc, 
1898; Ada; Catherine; and two others whose 
deaths occurred in childhood. Religiously 
our subject is a member and trustee of the 
United Evangelical Church of Mount Carmel. 




REDERICK ]IA,\S, a representative 
and influential citizen of Sunbury, and 
register of wills, recorder of deeds, and 
clerk of the Orphans' Court of Northumber- 
land County, Pa., is a son of Capt. Jacob W. 
and Eliza fjones) Haas, and was born in 
Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa., May 3, 
1858. 

The Haas family is of German stock and 
the original emigrant was Frederick Haas, 
the great-great-grandfather of our subject, 
who came from Germany and settled in East- 
ern Pennsylvania during the early colonial 
period. His son, also named Frederick, and 
great-grandfather of our subject, was for many 
years a resident of .Sunbury. 

Frederick Haas, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Sunbury in 1800 and 
died in Shamokin in iSfe, having moved there 
during his latter days, lie was auv of the 
leading business men of the county, and in 
early life was engaged in merchandising and 
tanning. Politically, he was a Whig, and 
served as treasurer of the county from 1824 
until 1827. He was united in the bonds of 
wedlock to Elizabeth Swartz, a daughter of 
Michael Swartz, who came from Wurtemberg, 
Germany, to America prior to the Revolu- 
tion, in which war he was a soldier. In 1798 



Mr. Swartz came to Sunbury and took up 600 
acres of land in Beaver Meadows, where he 
remained the rest of his active days. He was 
the father of Hon. John Swartz, who repre- 
sented the Seventh Congressional District of 
Pennsylvania in Congress. Mr. and Mrs. 
1 laas were the parents of si.x: sons and four 
daughters, one of whom was Jacob W., the 
father of our subject, who was born in Potts- 
ville, Pa., June 25, 1833, where he grew to 
manhood. He was employed as clerk and 
bookkeeper up to the breaking out of the late 
war, and on September 21, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company G, 96th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and 
served throughout the war as captain of his 
company. He participated in all the battles 
of the Army of the Potomac from 1861 to 
1863. After the war he spent two years in 
the oil fields of Western Pennsylvania. In 
1S67 he went to Shamokin, Pa., and was con- 
nected with various collieries in that vicinity; 
he was clerk and foreuKui until 1890, when 
he took a tour through the Southern States, 
prospecting in the interests of the Roanoke 
Iron Company. In 1895 he Ijecame deputy 
register and recorder of Northumberland 
County, which oftice he still retains. Politi- 
cally he is a strong Republican. He was mar- 
ried to h^liza Jones, and they re;u-ed a family 
iif cliildren. 

b'rederick Haas, the subject of this bio- 
graphical sketch, at the age of nine years went 
ti) Shamokin with his ])arents. He received 
his primary education in the public schools 
of his native town, and later attended the high 
school at Shamokin, taking a regular course. 
He then was admitted to the U. S. Military 
.\cademy at West Point, N. Y., in 1878, and 
after studying part of the course there he re- 
signed on account of ill health and returned 
home, and the next fourteen years were spent 
clerking at the Luke Fidler Colliery at Sha- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



491 



niokin, Pa., and in the recorder's office at 
Sunhnry. )'".nterin<; pulitics as an acli\e and 
aggressive Republican in 1894 lie was elected 
register and recorder and clerk of Orphans' 
Court of Northumberland County, whicli 
was at that time a strong Democratic county. 
In 1897 he was re-elected, and holds that po- 
sition at the present time. In 1877 our sub- 
ject became a member of Company B, 7th 
Reg., N. G. Pa., and in 1S80 he was pro- 
moted to lieutenant and four \ears later lie 
resigned from the company. He is a meml)er 
of Rescue Hose Comiiany of Shamokin: also 
a member of Mount Taljor Lodge No. 125, 
I. (). O. I'.: and Sunbury Lodge No. 22, F. 
& .\. M. 

In 1892 Mr. Haas was united in marriage 
to Nellie Murray of Shamokin, ami two chil- 
dren has l)lessed this union, namely: h'rank 
M., and Frederick, Jr. 



AMES POLLOCK McCLEERY, M. 
D., the oldest practicing physician and 
surgeon of Milton, Northumberland 
County, Pa., commands an extensive practice 
throughout that section of the county. He 
has a comprehensive knowledge of the med- 
ical i)rofession and he skilfully treats the most 
complicated cases with promptness and de- 
cision, which give his patients the greatest 
confidence in his al)ility. He is ever a kind 
friend to his patient as well as the physician, 
and it pleases his many acquaintances to be 
called his friend. Dr. McCleery is a son of 
\\'illiam and ^largaret (Pollock) McCleery, 
and was born in Milton, Northumberland 
County, Noxember 13, 1832. 

John McCleery, grandfather of our subject, 
was born at the forks of the Conestoga, Lan- 
caster County, Pa., October 13, 1767, and was 



a son of Michael and Janet McCleery. Michael 
was born in County Carlow , Ireland, his an- 
cestors having settled in that country at the 
time of the early persecutions in Scotland. 
John McCleery and Mary Lytle, who was 
bt)rn at Lytle Ferry, Dauphin County, on 
the Susquehanna, March 16, 1774, and a 
daughter of Joseph and Sarah Lytle, were 
united in marriage by Rev. Nathan Souden, 
September 23, 1802. -Her father was pf Eng- 
lish descent and her mother Irish. This union 
was blessed by the following offspring: Wil- 
liam; Sarah, the wife of John L. Watson, 
born P"ebruary 18, 1805; Joseph, born Janu- 
ary 10, 1807; Jane, who became the wife of 
Rev. David X. Junkin, was born February 4, 
1809; Elizabeth, born September 10, 1811; 
and Mary, born Alarch 16, 1814, and married 
Rev. Nathan Shotwell. Early in life John Mc- 
Cleery was a merchant at Harrisburg, but suIj- 
sequently he moved to Milton, Northumber- 
land County, where he was among the first 
business men. He opened a general merchan- 
dise store on South Front street, where Fol- 
mer's grocery store is now, and did a very- 
large business, buying produce and grain, 
which he shipped down the ri\-er in arks to 
the larger cities, receiving merchandise in ex- 
change. He finally retired from this business 
and purchased a farm, which is now a part of 
the \\'illiam Cameron estate, and there 
erected good substantial buildings which are 
still standing. He was always classed among 
the leading citizens of his community, and 
was very successful in lousiness affairs, leaving 
a considerable estate at the time of his death. 
He and his wife now lie in the Harmony Cem- 
etery at Milton. 

Dr. William McCleery, the father of our 
subject, was born at Halifax, Dauphin Coun- 
ty, Pa., July 31, 1803, and early in life was 
brought to Milton by his parents, practically 



492 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



growing up with that borough. He was a 
very apt scliolar and obtained a good mental 
training in tlic ])ublic scliools, after which he 
began the study of mcfhcinc under the direc- 
tion of Dr. James S. Dougal, and graduated 
from tlie Jefferson Medical College at Phila- 
delphia in 1827. He was a man of well-known 
ability and established a very large practice, 
possessing tlie respect and esteem of every 
one. As liis oldest son, om- subject, grew to 
manhood he directed him in the study of med- 
icine and with great ])ridc watched his marked 
advancement. In 1S57 he turned his entire 
practice over to his son and retired for the 
time being, but an active brain such as he i)os- 
sessed is nc\er content unless in full o])eralion, 
and it was but a sliorl time until he built the 
first steam saw-mill ever erected on the West 
Branch of the .Sus(|uehanna, at Milton. It 
was situated where the car manufacturing es- 
tablisluuent is now located, and Dr. Mct'leery 
ojierated it until his death, on December 4. 
i<S67, aged si.xty-four years, lie was origi- 
nally a \\liig in politics, as was his father l)e- 
fore liini, but he later became a Republican. 
He erected and li\ed in the handsome brick 
residence now owned bv bis son John. He 
was joiiu'd ill the liob' bonds of wedlock with 
Margaret rollock, a d;ni.L;hter of William Pol- 
lock, and a sister of the late James Pollock. 
e.\-governor of Penus\l\ania. ;ni(I they were 
tile ])arents of the following children: Mary, 
born September 9, 1X30. who is the wife of 
Jose])!) D. Potts of Phi!adel])hia; James P., 
our sul)ject: Sarah, deceased, who was born 
No\'eniber 5, 1834; John, born in 1837, mar- 
ried Mary Helen Marr; William P., born 
Ai)ril 27, 1834, lives at Troy, Pa.; and Julia J., 
deceased, who was born October 18, 1841, 
and was the wife of Jesse Merrill. Mrs. Mc- 
Cleery died in 1842, at the age of thirty-six 
years. 



Dr. James Pollock McCleery, the subject 
of this personal history, acquired a high intel- 
lectual tr;iining in the Milton Academy and 
then studied medicine with his father. He dil- 
igently applied himself to his work and was 
graduated from the Jefferson Medical College 
in March, 1857, immediately thereafter enter- 
ing upon practice. He soon succeeded to his 
father's practice, and this he has extended to 
such an extent that he has little time which lie 
may call his own. He is constantly on the go 
and is obliged to make such trips as none but 
the sturdiest constitutions can stand. He has 
always been interested in ])ublic improve- 
ments and is one of Milton's most progressive 
citizens. In 1871. at No. 45 North Front 
street, he erected a handsome residence, in 
which Ins oflicc was located, but this building 
was destroyed by fire in 1880. He imme- 
diately built a haudsoiue brick residence, with 
all nioilern improvements and conveniences, 
with ofhce attached. Politically he is a firm 
Republican, t)Ut does not aspire to office. 

On June 4, 1870, Dr. McCleery married 
Margaret S. McConnick. a daughter of John 
McCormick of Turbot township, and they arc 
the parents of li\e children: Anne M.; Mary 
11.. widow of l.awicnce lb Fonda, by whom 
she had one son, llenr\- L. ; M.'irtba: Jose- 
phine: and William. 



AMES J. IIKiPEb:. A\'e introduce to 
our readers throughout the Seven- 
teenth Congressional District one of 
the foremost men of .Xorthuniberland County, 
the gentleman whose name appears above, a 
prominent railroad contractor and a large real 
estate owner of Watsontown, Pa. He is a 
son of Philip Higbee and was 1n)rn in Tioga 
Center, Tioga County, N. Y., in 1856. He 
moved to Northumberland Ct)untv, Pa., in 




DR. WILL L. SlIINDKL. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



495 



1878. He purchased the \^an Fleet farm near 
\\'atsnnto\\n and for a couple of years devoted 
his time entirely to agricultural pursuits. 

During- the flood of 1S80 Mr. Higbee took 
the contract from the West Branch Lumber- 
men's Exchange of gathering and cutting the 
logs taken from the flood and manufacturing 
them into lumber at the Pardee Mills in Wat- 
sontoun. In 1886 our subject began the im- 
portant ami lucrative l)usiness of railroad 
building. He built sixteen miles of the Cen- 
tral Pennsylvania &. Western Railroad from 
Watsontown to Orangeville, and in 1893 built 
the Central Railroad of Pennsylvania, thirty 
miles, from Bellefont to Mill Hall, Pa. xA.ll 
the stone and abutment work to the bridges 
was entrusted to him and it has ]iro\'ed emi- 
nently satisfactory to all concerneil. 

Mr. Higbee was united in marriage with 
Mary D. Miller of Smithl)oro, Tioga County, 
N. Y. Ira M. Higljee, their only child and 
son, was given a thorough education, mas- 
tered the profession of a civil engineer, and 
was graduated from Lehigh University in 
1895. In 1896 he accepted a position with the 
Venezuelan gox'ernment as assistant engineer 
in constructing water works, in the state of 
Miranda, towns of Maraca and Victoria, Ven- 
ezuela, spending one year on the above work. 
Soon after he was married to Mary M. Boon 
of Williamsport, Pa., and is now assistant su- 
pervisor of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Wat- 
sontown. 

After becoming a contractor our subject left 
his farni and purchased a handsome modern 
l)rick residence on South Main street, in \Vat- 
sontown. In this comfortable home he and 
his estimable wife have since enjoyed life, and 
they make it hospitable for their many friends. 
In politics Mr. Higbee is a Republican, but 
has never been prevailed upon to acce]>t office, 
excei^t in a minor capacity in tlie borough. 



B 



R. WILL L. SHINDEL. Prominent 
among the successful profes.sional 
men of Northumberland County 
stands its jiresent coroner. Dr. \\'ill L. Shin- 
del, a prominent iihysician and expert sur- 
geon of Sunbury. His portrait is shown on 
a preceding page. He is a son of Dr. Daniel 
W. and Sarah E. (Irwin) Shindel, and was 
born in Sunbury, January 7, 1867. Dr. ^\'ilI 
L. Shindel obtained part of his education in 
the schools of his nati\'e i>lacc, but educated 
himself mainly by self-tuition and newspaper 
work. In early life he was employed on the 
staff of the Sunbury Daily as reporter, and 
subsequently was the city editor of the Shamo- 
kin Daily Dispatch. During that time he 
was also staff correspondent for several met- 
ropolitan papers, among them the New York 
.Sun, New York Press. While engaged in 
newspa])cr work he also stutlied medicine un- 
der his father, afterward taking a course at 
the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadel- 
phia from which he was graduated in 1893, 
after three jears of hard study and work, a 
full-fledged M. D. He immediately began 
the practice of his profession in Sunbury and 
met with much success. In 1893 he was nom- 
inated and elected coroner of the county by 
his party, the county being at the time a 
Democratic stronghold, and was re-elected 
to the same office in 1896. 

The family is of German origin and the 
name was originally "Von Schindel." The first 
of whom we ha\e an account is one Conrad 
Schindel who, with his wife, Barbara Schin- 
del, lived at Gemmelsl)ach, Germany, in 1678. 
Their son. named Johanna Conrad Schindel, 
was baptized October 18, 1685, and was mar- 
ried January 22. 1710, to Susanna Trexler. 
Subsequently the Schindel family removed 
from Gemmelsbach. the home of the husband 
atid his ancestors, to .\irsbach. the home of 



496 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



tlic wife and lier aiiccsttn's. I'^roni tliat time 
1111, Airsliacli was the home of tlie Scliiiulel 
family. Tlie next and tliird in line of de- 
scendants was Johanna Peter Sciiindel, Ijorn 
at Airshach Fehrnary 28, 1732, and baptized 
March 2, of the same year. He married 
Maria Margaret Gel)hart and in 1751 immi- 
i^rated to tlie United States, settling in Leba- 
non Cmiiity. Pa., where his death occurred 
May 29, 1784. He was one of the earliest 
]>ioneers of Lebanon Valley. 

Fourth in line of descent was also Johanna 
Peter Shindel, born in Lebanon County, Pa,, 
August 21, 1766. and died there September 
17, 1829: he married Maria Menges and 
reared a large family, one of whom, Rev. John 
Peter Shindel, 1). U., was the grandfather of 
our subject. He was born in Lebanon Coun- 
ty, Pa., October 3, 1787. He obtained a 
classical education, graduating and receiving 
the degree of D. D. He was one of the ab- 
lest and best known Lutheran ministers of 
Pennsylvania: ho went to Sunbury, June 4, 
1812, and his death occurred there October 
26, 1853. He ])reached from 1812 to 1851, 
co\ering a period of forty years, in the ser- 
vice of the Sunbury church and other con- 
gregations ill the vicinity. Rev. Mr. Shindel 
was a Huent speaker and an effective organ- 
izer of church work; he was the leader of the 
New Church mo\-ement, which resulted in the 
establishment of the East Pennsylvania Luth- 
eran Synod, in the 40's and was the first 
president of the Synod, He married Susanna 
McCullough, of Irish descent, by whom he 
had eleven children, as follows: Rev. Jere- 
miah, a Lutheran minister, who served in the 
Assembly and two terms in the State Senate 
as a Democrat, and resigned to become chap- 
lain of the iioth Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., in the 
Civil War, serving three years; John Peter, 
Jr., D. D.. who was also a prominent Luth- 



eran clergyman, s]»cii<liiig his entire life in 
the sei"\icc of the cliurcli: Jacob, formerlv as- 
sociate judge of Snyder County, and a prom- 
inent druggist of Selinsgrove, Snyder Coun- 
ty, Pa.: Solomon, who was a civil engineer 
by profession but did not follow it to any 
great extent, was a Democrat, and served 
several terms in the State Legislature; Dr. 
Xcwton, who was a graduate of Jefferson 
Aledical College, and practiced medicine at 
Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pa.; Dr. Daniel 
\\'., father of our subject; Martin L., D. D., 
a Lutheran minister of Danville, Pa.; Philip 
M., who was emplo\ed in the L'. S. re\eiuic 
scrxicc most of his life; Louise, who married 
(iideon Leisering; Mariah, intermarried with 
Benjamin Hendricks; and Susanna, who 
wedded Samuel Goljin, she becoming the 
mother of Gen. John Peter Shindel Gobin, 
the i^resent lieutenant-governor of Pennsyl- 
\aiiia. 

Dr. Daniel W. Shindel, father of our sub- 
ject, w as a worthy scion of this illustrious fam- 
ily. He practiced medicine in Sunbury k)v 
nearly half a century and was regarded as one 
of the ablest and most skilful practitioners of 
the day. He was regarded as the best authori- 
ty on fe\ ers in the West Branch Valley. He 
was a close student not only of medical works 
but also of general literature and was a scholar 
of recognized ability; he adhered strictly to his 
profession and attained eminent success local- 
ly. He, like all the family, was a member of 
the Lutheran Church. 

Dr. Daniel W. Shindel was born in Sun- 
bury, Pa., November 17, 1822, and received 
his primary education at Sunbury Academy, 
beginning the study of medicine w hile he was 
teaching school. He graduated from the 
Pennsylvania Medical College in 1850; he 
served in various local offices, as councilman, 
assistant burgess, and school director. He 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



497 



was a member of the school board for twenty- 
one years; also was U. S. pension examiner 
from 1865 to 1885. He was twice married; 
first, in Sunbury, June 17, 1851, to Mary 
Wharton, who was the mother of three 
daughters. Mrs. Shindel died in January, 
1863, and a year later Dr. Shindel was united 
in marriage with Elizal)eth Irwin and six 
children resulted; Will L., subject of this 
sketch: Jane, deceased; Carrie, deceased; Min- 
nie; Georgia A.; and W'ebster, also deceased. 
Dr. Daniel W. Shindel's death occurred De- 
cember 12, 1895. 

Our subject is president of the Northum- 
berland County Medical Society, a member 
of the Pennsylvania State Medical Associa- 
tion, and president of the Sunbury Board of 
Health. He is also surgeon to the Mary M. 
I'acker Hospital and has done considerable 
in that line. He does medico-legal work be- 
fore courts and is, therefore, considered an ex- 
pert witness. Dr. Shindel is a member of the 
following lodges: Sunlnny Lodge, No. 22, 
F. & A. M., of which he is a past master; 
Northumberland Chapter, No. 174, R. A. M.; 
Calvary Commandery, No. 37, K. T.; Lulu 
Temple, A. A. O. N. of the M. S. of Phila- 
delphia; and the L O. O. F. In political be- 
lief he is a stanch supporter of the principles 
advocated by the Republican party. 



W: 



ILLIAAI L. SIDLER is one of the 
prominent attorneys-at-law resid- 
ing at Danville, Pa., and is register 
of wills and recorder of deeds of Montour 
County. He is a native of Danville, and is a 
son of Franklin and Amanda (Gulick) Sidler, 
a grandson of Jacob Sidler, and a great- 
grandson of Jacob Sidler, Sr. 

Jacob Sidler, the great-grandfather of our 



subject, spelled his name Sittler; he was a na- 
tive of Germany, who came to this country 
and settled in New Jersey. Lie and his son 
Jacob moved to Montour County, then a part 
of Columbia County, and purchased a tract of 
land in Valley township, which is now the 
property of Emanuel Sidler, and there carried 
on general farming the remainder of his active 
days. He passed from this life at an advanced 
age and was buried in the old log-church 
grounds in Mahoning township. He was the 
progenitor of four children, as follows: Phil- 
ip, David, Marcia, and Jacob. Jacob Sidler, 
the grandfather of our subject, is supposed 
to have been Iwirn in Allentown, Pa. He 
learned the trade of a carpenter Ijy the old 
scribe rule, followed that vocation some time, 
and then engaged in farming on the old home- 
stead, which consisted of 140 acres of highly 
cultivated land. At his death he also owned 
another farm of 210 acres. He passed from 
this life at the age of sixty-two years; his 
wife, who was Elizaljeth Benfield, a daughter 
of John Benfield, entered the world of rest 
at the age of fifty-two years. They were the 
parents of the following children: John, Mary, 
Sarah, Franklin, Emanuel, Elizabeth, and a 
child who died in infancy. Mr. Sidler was a 
strong Democrat in ])olitics and served as su- 
per\'isor and school director many years; in 
religious views he was a member of the Luth- 
eran Church. 

Franklin Sidler. the father of our subject, 
was born on the old homestead, where he 
spent his boyhood days. He and his brother 
changed the name Sittler to Sidler, as it is now 
spelled. In 1S64 he enlisted in the 3rd Reg., 
Pa. Vol. Artillery, as a private and served 
throughout the close of the war; returning 
home at the close of the struggle, he was em- 
ployed in the rolling mills until 1872, when 
he purchased a farm in ^'al]cy township, Mon- 



498 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



tour County, and follow cd a.yricullural pur- 
suits llic rest of liis acli\e da\s, with llie ex- 
cc])tion of 1N74 and 1875, when he was a 
stocklioldcr and contractor in the Co-o])era- 
ti\e Iron Works at Danxillc. now known as 
the North £>ranch Iron & Steel Comi)any. 
i le was united in marriage to Amanda Gulick, 
a uaut;luer of Samuel Gulick of ]\Iontour 
Count}", and as a result of this union four chil- 
dren were l)orn, namely: \\'illiani L., the sub- 
ject of this biographical sketch; Charles A., 
an attorney residing at Simbury, Pa.; Horace 
A,, who is engaged in farming on the old 
homestead; and Sanuicl G.. who died in in- 
fancy. The father of our subject died in 1891, 
aged fifty-seven years. The mother of our 
subject still resides on the homestead with 
lier son Horace. Air. Sidlcr was an unwa\-er- 
ing Democrat, and was supervisor and tax 
collector; religiously he was attached to the 
Lutheran Churcli. He was a man greatly re- 
spected for his many fine qualities and was 
recognized as one of the active and progres- 
sive men of his conmumity. 

\\'iniam I.. Sii'ler acquired a gooil educa- 
tion in the ])ul)lic schools: he then taught 
several years in the public and granunar 
schools of Danxille. Later he sup])lcmented 
his education i)y a course in Princeton Col- 
lege, fr(jm which institution he was graduated 
in 1S88: lie then began the study of law im- 
dcr the direction of Edward S. Gearhart, and 
was admitted to the liar in 1890. In 1891 
lie began i)racticiug his chosen profession with 
the abo\-e-named gentleman, and has been 
meeting with the greatest of success. He is 
regarded as one of tlie promising young at- 
torneys of his community. He was elected 
register and reconler of Alontour County, 
which office he still holds, the duties of whicli 
he is honestly and faithfulh' fultilling. 

Our subject was united in marriage to Mary 



E. Divel. a daughter of lion. Henry Divel, a 
liromiuciit citizen of Dau\illc, whose sketch 
may also be found in this Cook of Biog- 
rai)hies. Fou.r ciiildren blessed the iiome of 
Air. and Mrs. Sidler, namely: Margaret R., 
born August 10, 1891: Franklin William, 
born .\ugust 1. 1894: Mildred, born Feb- 
ruary 28. 1896; and a son born January 24, 
1899. Mr. Sidler is a member and past mas- 
ter of the Alahoning Lodge No. 516, F. & A. 
M.; Danville Commandery, Knights Temjjlar, 
No. 37, of which he is captain general: Mon- 
tour Lodge No. 109, I. O. O. F. ; and Beaver 
Lodge No. 132. K. of P. Religiously he i? 
a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. 




LHiL'ST C. MERR. a worthy German- 
American citizen of l^haniokin. and 
-inside-foreman of the Luke Fidlev 
Colliery, was born May 8. 1835, in Bremen, 
(jermanv, and is a son of Lewis and Sophia 
(Willis) Herr. The father was a native of 
(iermanx' and li\ed there until his death in 
1866. when only forty-five years of age. 

August C. Herr attended the schools of 
his nati\e countr_\- until thirteen years old 
when he went to sea on a \essel of the North 
Cierman Lloyd line, and remained with that 
coiU])au\- until 1870, being in luigland when 
war was declared between Germany and 
France. I'rom England he came to Hobok- 
en, N. J., where he secured leave of absence 
from the shi|) on which he was em])lo\e(l with 
the understanding that he would go l:)ack as 
soon as the ship returned. He did not re- 
turn. howe\er. but went to St. Mary's, Elk 
Countv, Pa., where he workeil in the soft 
coal mines until March, 1873, and then re- 
moved to Shamokin Pa., where he worked 
at the Luke Mdler Collier\- as a miner for a 




JACOB H. VASTINE, M. D. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIOXAL DISTRICT. 



501 



period of about three months. He then be- 
came a miner at the Cameron Colliery and 
after a term of fifteen years was promoted to 
assistant foreman, in which capacity he was 
employed five years, servino- in all for a period 
of twenty years, and was connected with the 
Mineral Railroad & Mining- Company exactly 
twenty-six years. In 1893 he became inside- 
foreman at the Luke Fidler Ccjlliery, in which 
jKisition he has since efficiently served. 

On I-"ebruary 21. 1875. Mr. Herr married 
Minerva Milbrand, whose parents were lost 
at sea on tlie voyage from the < )ld World to 
.\merica. and to them hax'e heen born the 
following children : Charles Augustus. Ijorn 
August 10, 1875, who married Mary E. Ker- 
stetter, and is living in .^hanidkin. I'a.: Min- 
nie, will) died when fi\e or six davs old and 
was born .\pril 19, 1877; Clara W'ilhelmina, 
born .\pril 21, 1879, is the wife of Har\ey 
C. Kerstetter; Ludwig C born June 16. 1880, 
resides at home: \\'illiam, born October 26, 
1882; Ida, born December 21, 1884; Franklin 
Monroe, born July 30, 1887: John Alfred. 
i)orn September 15. 1889: Edward Benjamin, 
born March 22, 1892; and Annie May Allen, 
the pet of all, wdio came to bless their home 
on October 8, 1895. Socially our subject is 
a niend)er and past grand of Shamokin' 
Lodge, No. 664, L O. O. F. ; and a member 
and past master of Lodge No. 225, F. & A. 
M.; also a member of Shamokin Cha]iter No. 
264, R. A. M.: and memlier of Shamokin 
Commandery No. 'j'j . K. T. 



(sJT ACOB H. VASTINE, M. D., one of 
the influential and honored physicians 
of Columbia County and a highly es- 
teemed citizen of Catawissa, was born in Rush 
townsliip, Northumberland County. Pa., .\])ril 
2, 1836. 



Our su1)ject is a descendant of y\mos Vas- 
tinc. who emigrated from Holland and set- 
tled in Bucks County, Pa. His son, John, 
was a native of Bucks County, but with his 
parents moved to Northumberland County, 
where he engaged in farming and distilling 
the rest of his active days. He was united 
in the bonds of wedlock with Catherine O.s- 
man. a native of Hackettstown, N. J., and 
they reared seven children, as follows: Eliza- 
beth, William. Amos, Marguerite, Sarah, 
Thomas, and John. Mr. Vastine died aged 
sixty-two years: his wife passed from this life 
at the age of eighty years. 

\\'illiam \'astine, the father of our subject, 
was liorn in Rush townslii]), Northumberland 
County, Pa., in 1812. and his l)oyhood davs 
were spent working with his father, .\ttain- 
ing his majority, he purchased a farm and suc- 
cessfully carried on general farming all his 
life. He was joined in marriage with Eliza- 
beth Hursh, a daughter of John Hursh, a na- 
tive of Rush township, Northumberland 
County. The father of our subject entered 
the world of rest in 1859. Mrs. Vastine passed 
to the unknown beyond in 1890, aged eighty- 
one years. The following children were born 
to Mr. and Mrs. \'astine: Amos, a retired 
farmer of Danville. Pa.: Hugh, a farmer re- 
siding near Ixiverside, Pa.; Simon, who re- 
sides on the old homestead; Ezra, deceased, 
who was a retired farmer and resided at Dan- 
ville, Pa.: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. James 
Ogleby of Danville: Daniel, who died at the 
age of eleven years; and Ellen, who also died 
at the age of elex'en years. Mr. \'astine was 
a Whig; religiously he and his family fa\ored 
the Lutheran Church. 

Dr. Jacob H. Vastine received his ]irimary 
education in the common schools of his native 
town, which was later supplemented b\- an 
academic course in Danville .\cadem\ and 



502 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Shamokin Collegiate Institute. He then en- 
tered Jefferson Medical College and was grad- 
uated with the class of 1858. He inmiediately 
began practicing his profession at Elyslnirg, 
Fa., and after remaining there two years went 
to Numidia, Columbia County, Pa., and suc- 
cessfully followed his profession in that dis- 
trict for a period of twenty-one years. In 
1 881 he removed to Catawissa, where he has 
since resided. Dr. \'astine has always liad a 
large and lucrative practice, and during his 
younger days he covered a field in which 
three doctors now work. Until recently the 
Doctor has been a strong, robust man, never 
refused a call, and for thirty-five _\ears he was 
not once compelled to take to his bed on ac- 
count of sickness. He was a director of the 
old Bank of Catawissa, and since the forma- 
tion of the First National Bank he has been 
its ])resident. 

Dr. \'astine was married in 1861 to Sarah 
Hughs, a daughter of George Hughs of Cata- 
wis.sa, and they are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Henrietta, wife of .'\sa Spencer 
of Lansdale, I'a. ; Elizabeth, deceased; Dr. 
George H. Vastinc, who was educated in the 
University of Sus(|uehanna and then took a 
medical course in the University of Pennsyl- 
\ania,— after spending one year abroad he re- 
turned and began ])racticing in Catawissa, and 
has since been united in marriage with Nellie 
I 'fabler ui Catawissa; William, cashier of the 
h'irst National I'ank of Catawissa, who re- 
ceived his education in the Susquehanna Uni- 
versity and later graduated from Gettysburg 
College in 1893; Marion, a me<lical student; 
Harriet B.; Sarah; and Alder. During the 
late Rebellion our subject ser\ ed one year as 
assistant surgeon in the U/tli Keg.. Pa. X'ol. 
Inf. Dr. Vastinc is prominent among his ])ro- 
fessional brethren and an inlluential member 
of the Columbia Conntv Medical .\ssociation. 



of which he was one of the original members; 
the State Medical Association, of which he has 
been a member since 1875; American Medical 
Association; in 1887 he attended the ninth 
International Medical Congress at Washing- 
ton, D. C, as a delegate from the state asso- 
ciation; has been president of both county 
and state associations; has been physician for 
the Pennsylvania Railroad for a number of 
years; was the first president of the board of 
health of Catawissa; is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. ; Catawissa Lodge, F. & A. M., and 
the R. A. M., and is past high priest of the 
same; and is a member and ])resent command- 
er of Hoagland Post, G. A. R. Politically Dr. 
Vastine is a stanch Republican. We present 
a recent portrait of our subject on a previous 
page. 



AMES M. DERBY, secretary and 
treasurer of the Mount Carmel Iron 
W^orks, is one of the most popular and 
prominent men in Mount Carmel, where he 
stands \'ery high as a business man of unusual 
ability who has been \'ery successful. .Mr. 
Derby is a son of Chamiccy H. and b'.sther P. 
(Cary) Derby, and was born at Dunmore, near 
Scranton, Pa., September to, 1851. 

Our subject was educated in the common 
schools near Scranton and at an early age 
learned the trade of tinsmith with his father 
and also learned the details of the hardware 
business, lie followed both the trade and 
business for a few years, when he engaged in 
business as a general merchant, conducting a 
very successful store uiUil 1880, in which year 
he branched out and sought a larger field and 
more opportunities for his ability and his busi- 
ness talent. He removed to Mount Carmel in 
1880 and established a business as a general 
merchant, having sold out a quite prosperous 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



503 



general store which he had estabhshed a short 
time previous in Sliamokin. He conducted 
his general store in Mount C arnicl until Jan- 
uary I, 1896, when he was active in the forma- 
tion fif the Mount Canuel Iron Company, 
which was chartered July 15, 1895. He re- 
signed a clerkshi]) with the L'nion Coal Coni- 
jiany to form the Mount Carmel Iron Com- 
pany. He was the first su])erintendent and 
general manager, which position he filled 
with great ability, and he was later made sec- 
retary and treasurer. The works do a very 
large business, manufacturing all sorts of iron 
used in connection with mining machinery. 

In politics Mr. Derby formerly was a Re- 
])ul)lican, but he now is classed as a Prohi- 
bitionist, lie is |)roniincnt in fraternal circles, 
i)eing a member of Mount C;irmcl Lodge No. 
7,jS, F. & A. M.. and of the K. A. M. Chap- 
ter and Knights Templar; also a leading mem- 
ber of Mount Carmel Lodge No. 630, L O. O. 
F. He is an active member of the Methodist 
Church. 

Mr. Derby was united in marriage on July 
22, 1873, to Helen M. Clarkson of Ashland, 
Pa., and to them have been born these chil- 
dren : Archibald, who is 'employed in the 
Mount Carmel Iron Works, and married Min- 
nie, a daughter of F. M. Everett; Ethel M.; 
Robert Wilson; Florence; and Loue'.la. 
Through the efi'orts of ]\L-. Derby a post- 
office was established two miles west of 
Mount Carmel, which is called Strong, and 
of which he was the first postmaster ap- 
pointed. Mr. Derliy always has taken great 
interest in everything which has had a ten- 
dency to advance the commercial and indus- 
trial interests of Mount Carmel. He has been 
prominent in every movement for the general 
good of the public and is looked upon as one 
of the most progressive, energetic and public- 



spirited citizens of the town in which he is so 
popular, both in business and social circles. 

The father of our subject, Channcev LL 
Derby, was a native of Lackawanna County; 
so also were several other members of the fam- 
ily on the paternal side. The family originally 
came from Ireland and were the founders of 
Derby, Conn. Many of its members have re- 
sided in the state of Pennsylvania for gener- 
ations. The grandfather of our subject, John 
Derby, located in Lackawanna County, this 
state. He was a Presl)yterian clergyman and 
followed the work of the church during his 
life-time. 

Mr. Derby's father, Chauncey H. Derby, 
was born in 1805. He was the first hardware 
merchant in .Scnuiton. He is also recalled as 
the second .Mason in .Scranton. Josepli (iod- 
frey having been the first citizen of the town 
to enter the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Derby 
was a man of great energy and was fond of 
travel. He saw much of the world. He was 
one of the organizers of the Republican party 
and a colleague of that sturdy statesman, 
Galusha A. Grow. He never sought office, 
although he always was very active in party 
politics. He was an active member of the 
Presb^-lerian Church and a pronounced tem- 
perance man. 

The family from which the mother of our 
subject descended, the Carys, may be traced 
back for several generations. The family 
originated in Somersetshire, England. The 
ancestor from whom the Carys date was Sir 
Lucius Cary, who was born in Somersetshire, 
England, in 1504. He married a sister of the 
celebrated Anne Boleyn, becoming bv his 
marriage an uncle to Queen Elizabeth. In 
a direct line was the Earl of Hunsdon, a 
cousin of the (|ueen. The next was Sir Rob- 
ert Cary, who was at the death-bed of Queen 
Elizabeth ;ind was the first to convev the 



504 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



news of licr cN])resseil desire that lier cousin, 
James I., shonld succeed In llie throne. Tlie 
oldest son became Lt)rd l''aull<ner, wlio was 
Cliancellor of tlie E.xchcqucr under Cliarles 
II. One of the younger sons, jnhu t"ar)-, 
the immediate ancestor, was sent to iMance to 
complete his education. While he was in 
France his father died and there followed 
some difficulty in settling the estate. He 
took a younger son's part, £io, and in 1634 
came to Connecticut where he joined the Pil- 
grims. He was among the original settlers 
and property holders at HuxUnry and Ilridge- 
water. Conn. The first ])urch.ise (jf lands was 
made from the nat'ix'e hulians in iC),VJ <tntl t'le 
deed was made to four distinguished men, 
Miles Standish, Capt. Mayfiower, Samuel 
Na.sh, and Constant Southwortli, as trustees 
for William Bradford, John Cary and I'lfty-two 
other settlers. The consideration named in 
the deed is interesting reading in this age. 
It was as follows: Seven coats, to contain 
one and a half yards of cloth to each coat: 
nine hatchets: eight hoes: t\\ent_\- kni\es; four 
mooseskins: and ten and a half yards of cot- 
ton. John Cary married F.li/.aUeth (ioclfrey 
in 1644. Their second child, i'"rancis, was 
born in 1647 and he married Hannah iiritt 
in 1676. They reared a family of five child- 
ren, the oldest, Sanniel. bcnn in \(>(>/. m;nried 
Mary Poole in 1704. Sanuiel and Alary 
(Poole) Cary came tc_) this country after their 
marriage and located in Dutchess Comity, N. 
Y. They had eight children of whom the 
eighth, Eleazer, was born in 171S and was 
a direct ancestor of the subject. Fleazer mi- 
grated from Connecticut in i/O^^), whither he 
iiad gone from New ^'ork, and located in the 
Wyoming Valley, Pennsyhania. 1 !e married 
a Miss Sturtevant and they had a family of 
six children. Their second child, Jolni. was 
iiorn May 7, 175'^). an<l was the great -gr.anil- 



fallier of uuv subject, lie was noted as a 
man of herculean build and strength. He 
served under Capt. 13urkee in the War of the 
Revolution and was at the memorable Wyom- 
ing Massacre, lie died in 1844 at the age of 
eighty-eight years and was buried in Wilkes- 
barre. One of his brothers, Samuel, a sma'l, 
active man, was also in the battle at Wyom- 
ing and was ca]>tmx'd by the Indians and 
held by them for six years, and was supposed 
by the family to have been killed. In 1744 
Sanuiel returned to the X'alley where be 
passed the remainder of his days. The great- 
grandfather of our subject had eleven child- 
ren, the sixth being the maternal grandfather 
of our subject, Miner Cary. He was one of 
the earliest settlers in the vicinity of what is 
now Scranton and owned a large part of the 
land which is now occupied by the site of the 
city of Scranton. He married Sarah Deans 
and to them were born eleven children, of 
whom E.sther P. Cary, mother of our subject, 
was born in Scranton, Pa., March 17, 1817, 

rllOM.XS J. I'RICI':, sui)erintendent 
of the Mahoning Rolling Alill Com- 
pan\- of l)an\ille, and a highly re- 
s])ected citizen of that town, was born at 
Tredegar, Wales, February 26, 1833, and is 
a son of Prof. John M. and Mary ( Rol)erts) 
Price, and a grandson of Thomas Price. 

The father of (nir subject was born at 
Rhymny. Wales, in 1S28, and came to the 
United .States in 1834, locating in Xew \nvk 
City. In the same year he mo\ed to Dan- 
ville, Pa., where he became boss-roller (jf the 
Montour Rolling Mills. In 1863 he \\as em- 
ployed in the Rough and Ready Mills, now 
the Mahoning Rolling Mill Companx', and 
two years later he went to Syracuse, N. ^'., 
where he acceiited a position as sui)erintend- 




Kl I rS K. POLK. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



507 



ent of the Syracuse Rolling Mill Company. 
In 1881 he retired from tliat line of business 
and devoted his time to music, having studied 
music when young and also while working 
at his trade. Mr. Price possessed a beautiful 
voice. While a resident of Danville, Pa., he 
organized a cjuartet composed of John A. 
Jones. Robert James, Joseph Parry and him- 
self. This quartet acquired an e.xtended repu- 
tation, and in 1865 they took a trip to Eng- 
land, where they were cordially received. Mr. 
Parry received numerous prizes for his excel- 
lent compositions and was made professor of 
music in the College of Swansea, Wales. Mr. 
Price is now successfully engaged in follow- 
ing the musical profession in New York City. 
He was united in marriage with Mary Rob- 
erts, a daughter of Thomas Roberts, a native 
of Wales. The following children resulted 
from this union: John T., superintendent of 
the Spuvten Duyvil Iron Foundry of New 
York City; George T., assistant superintend- 
ent of the Spuyten Duyvil Iron Foundry of 
New York City; Ella J., wife of Thomas Hos- 
kins of New York City: Frank S., a sergeant 
of the New York City police: Mary .\., a 
teacher in music; Sarah, who died at the age 
of three years; Jeannette, a music teacher and 
stenographer residing at Rome, N. Y.; and 
Thomas J., our subject. The mother of our 
subject died in 1867 at the age of thirty-four 
years. 

Thomas J. Price came to the United States 
with his mother in 1856 and settled in Dan- 
ville, Pa., where he received his intellectual 
training. At Syracuse he assisted his father 
in the iron works, learning the iron and steel 
trade. He then went to New York City in 
1879 and was engaged with the Sjiuyten Duy- 
vil Rolling Mill Comi)any until 1883, when he 
returned to Danville to accejjt the position of 
boss-roller at the Glendower Rolling Mills. 



In 1885 he went to Harrisburg, Pa., and en- 
gaged as a boss-roller in the Lochiel Steel 
Works until 1886, when he resigned his posi- 
tion and returned to Danville to accept the 
position of superintendent of the Mahoning 
Rolling .Mill C(impan\, in which cap;icit\- he 
has since served. 

Mr. Price was married to Sarah Folew a 
daughter of lulward Foley of Danville, and 
to this union three children were born, name- 
l_y: John, who died at the age of two years; 
.\nnie Florence: and Edward F. Our sub- 
ject ser\-ed as chief burgess of I)an\ille from 
1890 to 1896, and was school director one 
year. He is a sujjporter of the princi])les ad- 
\ocate(l by the Rc]niblican party. Socially 
he is a member of Danville Loilge. No. 780. 
I. O. O. F.; and of the Improved Order of 
Heptasophs. He was a]:)pointed postmaster 
of Danville, February 15, 1899, and took 
possession of the postofficc .\i)ril i, 1899. 




H-jlUFUS K. POLK, of Danville, Pa., is 
general manager of the North 
Branch Steel Company, Danville, 
and one of the firm of Howe & Polk, manu- 
facturers of structural tubing aivd s]iecial 
shapes in iron and steel products. 

Mr. Polk was born in Columbia, IMaury 
County, Tennessee, August 2^. 1866, and re- 
moved to Pennsylvania when sixteen years of 
age; he was educated at Lehigh University, 
where he graduated, taking first the degree of 
B. S. and afterwards that of Mining Engineer. 
Immediately after his graduation he located in 
Danville, Montour County, where for many 
years he was chemist of the Montour Iron & 
Steel Company; he finally became assistant 
superintendent of this company, and left there 
to become the general manager of the North 



508 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Ilranch Steel Company. ( )ii Feljruary 17. 
1898, the firm of Howe <Jc Polk was oix'aiiized, 
after the purcliase of the Alalioning Rolliiiu^ 
Mill Company jiroperty. Tliis plant is Inisily 
engaged in tlie niannfactnrc of struclnral tnl)- 
ing and special shapes, and gi\es cm|)loymenl 
to several hundred men. Mr. Polk has taken 
an active i)art in politics, and in 1898 was 
elected to represent the Seventeenth Congres- 
.sional District in the Fifty-sixth Congress. He 
has also taken an interest in the local affairs 
of the town, ha\ing served for se\eral years 
as president of the ho.nrd of water commis- 
sioners. 

In 1892 Mr. Polk m.nrried lsal)ella .Mont- 
gcjmery Gricr, onh danglitci" of Is.aac X. 
(jrier, of l)an\ illc. TIicn 1i;l\c three childi'en, 
namely: lMiim;i (.litT: l'<irter (irier; and 
Isabella Crier. .Mr. I 'oik sei'\cd as lirst lieu- 
tenant in CompauN' \\ iJth Keg., I'euns\l- 
vania \''ohmlecrs, in the late war with Sjiain. 
His portrait is presented on a preceding page. 



~r^ P.\TTERSON MOORE, one of 
1^^, the progressive and substantial cit- 
-L v,_^izens of the village f)f P>uckhorn, 
lias been successfully engaged in wagon-mak- 
ing there since 1862. He is a son of John 
and Joanna (Appleman) Moore, and was born 
in Madison township, Cohuubia County. 
March 17, 1824. 

The ])aternal great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject was a native of England and came to 
America prior to the War of the Revolution, 
settling on the New Jersey side of the Dela- 
ware River just abme Philadel]>hia, where he 
owned two farms. He reared a family, one 
of his children being Samuel Mocjre, the 
grandfather of our subject, who was a soldier 
of the Re\olutionarv \\'ar. He was a great 



ch;un]iion of Washington, under whom he 
.served, and during his latter days would not 
stand by and hear the Father of his Country, 
criticised. .\t the close of the war he settled 
on a farm near Petersburg, Northumberl.aud 
County, and later in .Madison township, Co- 
lumi)ia County, where he owned two farms, 
aggregating 224 acres. 1 le was a member of 
the Presbyterian Church, in which he served 
as elder for many vears. 

John Moore, the father of our subject, the 
youngest of a famil_\- of ten children, was born 
in Northumbcrlantl County, Pa., in 1797. He 
was one of the jjrosperous farmers of West 
ilendock townshii), Montour County, where 
he owned ;t farm of 124 acres of good land. 
I )uring his early life he was for a short time 
eng.aged in distilling. Religiously he was an 
;ulherenl to the faith of the Presbyterian 
Church. In jKilitical \iews he sided with the 
Democratic party. He was united in the holy 
bonds of wedlock to Joanna Appleman, a 
daughter of Mathias Appleman, a farmer of 
Benton township, Columbia County, and they 
are the happy parents of seven children : N. 
Patterson, the gentleman whose name appears 
at the head of these lines; Mathias; Sanniel; 
John; AN'illiam P.oyd; Sarah Cox; and Mrs. 
Mary Ellen Purcel. 

N. Patterson Moore recci\-ed his intellect- 
ual training in the public schools and at 
Bloomsburg Academy, after which he taught 
school for one term. He then learned the 
wagon-making trade, which he followed llrst 
in Northumberland County and then in Hun- 
terdon County, N. J., where he was employed 
in a lirst-class shop. In 1848 he moved to 
Benton, Cohuubia Comitv, where he con- 
ducted a sho]) in connection with agricultural 
]nirsuits mitil 1862. when he moved to Buck- 
horn, and has since been engaged in the 
wagon-making trade. I )uring his m.anv X'cars 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



509 



at liis trade he has acquired great skill and 
liis services are always in demand. He is held 
in his.;h esteem In* his fellow -citizens. 

(_)n June 6, 1840, our subject was united in 
marriage to Araminta Kline, a daughter of 
Isaac Kline, who was for many years a justice 
of the peace in Orange township, Columbia 
CouTity. and they are parents of three daugh- 
ters and two sons, namely : Mary Joanna, 
wife of John Shultz, a farmer of Madison 
township, Columbia County; John, a wagon- 
maker of W'ilkesbarre; Lavina. who was for- 
merly a teacher but is now a luilliner; Charles 
H., ex-county surveyor of Columbia County, 
and now a teacher and principal of the Nesco- 
peck schools; and Elizal)eth, a graduate of 
the State Normal School of Bloomsburg and 
for seven years a successful teacher, who is 
now the wife of John H. Wingert, a promi- 
nent farmer and teacher of Lewisburg, Pa. 
Politically Mr. Moore is a Democrat and was 
elected justice of the peace in May, iSfig, 
which oiifice he has since satisfactorily filled. 
Socially he is a member of Catawissa Lodge, 
No. 349, F. & A. M. ; Catawissa Chapter. No. 
168; Crusade Commandery, No. 12, Knights 
Templar; and a member of the Masonic Con- 
.sistory, of which he is past high priest and 
eminent connnander. 



/^TTiORGE .\. ERIEG, the efficient 
V ST manager of J. M. Otto's baking es- 
tablishment at Shamokin, Northum- 
berland County, Pa., is a son of John G. and 
Catherine (Kiehl) I"lrieg, and was born in 
April, 1859, at W'illiamsport. Pa. He received 
his education in his native place and learned 
the trade of a baker from his father. In 1875 
he became a jjartner with his father, their 
business being conducted under the firm name 



of John G. Erieg & Son. This firm continued 
until the death of his father, after which our 
subject managed the business for his mother 
until her death. The business was then sold 
to settle the estate. Three days after the sale 
Mr. Erieg engaged to work for George A. 
Kiehl, who at that time purchased the Sha- 
mokin Bakery of William Henry & Son. Not 
desiring to continue the business longer, Mr. 
Kiehl sold out at a ver_\- large profit to J. Al. 
Otto, the present owner, and Mr. Erieg was 
retained as manager. Under his splendid 
management the business has increased in val- 
ue and prospered until the present out]iut is 
enormous, being estimated at $100,000 worth 
of stock sold a year. On December ij, 1898, 
Mr. Erieg took a Southern trip, arriving on 
the Island of Cuba on January 2, 1899, and 
there he remained for live weeks. Imme- 
diately after his arrival there he became a 
member of the Casino Espanol, a very fash- 
ionable club, and received the benefit of its 
hospitality while in Havana. In connection 
with this organization is a hospital of seven 
wards, employing thirty-two ]ihysicians and 
one hundred nurses, and the mernbership of 
the club inimbers 12,000. The grounds sur- 
rounding the club-house are most beautiful, 
Ijeing set out with trees and shrubbery of var- 
ious kinds. Mr. Erieg combined business 
with pleasure on this excursion and secureil 
an option on two of the fmest tobacco ]tlanta 
tions in Cuba, one of which he has since 
bought. This trip was one of greatest i)leas- 
ure and one to which our subject will always 
look back with enjoyment, as it was one of 
the most interesting events in his life. 

Bertha M. Hagenbouch, a daughter of Sam- 
uel Hagenbouch of Blooiusburg, Columbia 
County, Pa., became the wife of our subject 
and their home has been blessed by one son, 
Charles A. Mr. Erieg is a worthy member of 



510 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the Lutheran thurcli and is (|uit(.- liberal in 
tlic support (it' the same. Socially he is a 
nieni1)er of the Crescu ( 'luh of Shamokin. 

John Ci. Iu"ieg, our subject's father, was 
horn in 1 Icsse-Darnistadt, (iermany, as was 
also his father before him, and learned the 
trade of a baker most thorou,nhly in his native ; 
country bv i)assin,tj thronL;h the diflereiit 
j^'rades of apprenticeship, .\fter immii^ratin^' 
to this country he located in the city of Lan- 
caster, i'a., but .shortly after removed to Co- 
lumbia, where he en,t>afied in his cliosen occu- 
]iation. lie was subsecpiently at Stmbnry, 
then at Williams])ort, where he enjoyed the 
distinction of beinij the first baker in the city. 
In 1865 he removed to \'ork. Pa., where he 
assisted in o])cratini; the mineral water estab- 
lishment of his brother-in-law, George Kiehl. 
.\fter i)ursuin,';- that occn]iation for a couple of 
}ears he branched I'orth as a lumber and real 
estate dealer in York, but subsequently re- 
moved to Williamsport in 1870 and engaged 
with the insurance firm of McVeigh & Sny- 
der. lUit he was not satistied to remain at 
that, so he tried his luck at dealing in gro- 
ceries and (|uecnsware for about three years, 
but I'mally returned to his former trade as 
baker. He added a new branch to the busi- 
ness which greatly increased the magnitude 
of his .stock as well as his profit. He included 
with bread-making the manufacture of crack- 
ers and all kinds of fancy cakes. Previous to 
that time both crackers and cakes were strict- 
ly home-made articles and a bakery where 
such edibles could be purchased was quite a 
novelty. From that time on he followed this 
occupation continuou.sly until his death, after 
which his widow operated the same business. 
witli the able assistance of our subject, unti! 
she died. In order to settle the estate the es- 
tablishment was .sold to the United States 
Baking Company. 



( )nr subject's father was a stanch I )cmocral 
and was active in ])arty alfaii's, being a]wa\^ 
jjleased at the success of his party, lie was 
a member of the school board for a mmiber of 
years and served in the common and select 
councils for about thirt\' vears. .\t his death 
he was a member of the select council, lie 
was a \alued rmd consistent member of the 
Lutheran (hiu'ch and was for man\- vears su- 
])erintendent of the Sabbath .School of that 
denomination. Pic and his worthy wife had 
a family of seven children, four sons and three 
daughters, nameh': William ('•., a resident of 
Shamokin; George, subject of this sketch; 
Mary; KateS.; Louis E., of Shamokin; Eliz- 
abeth, the wife of John M. Otto, proprietor 
of the Shamokin Inikery; and Frank, who is 
attcndino- the Lni\ersit\' of I^ennsxhania. 




fl ARCUS D. H(3RN. This prominent 
and enterprising young farmer is 
successfully engaged in the culti- 
\ation of the soil in Davidson township, Sul- 
livan Countx', Pa., where he owns a handsome 
farm, which ranks among the foremost in the 
tow nship. He was born in Laporte township. 
July 27, 1861, and is a son of Daniel Horn and 
grandson of .\ndrew Horn. 

.\ndrew Horn, the grandfather of our sul)- 
ject, was one of the ])ionecr settlers of La- 
porte and was the owner of the Rogers i)rop- 
crty; shortly after purchasing the property he 
set about clearing a portion of the farm, and 
engaged in tilling the soil. Later in life he 
moved to Waller, Columbia County, Pa., and 
died there at the age of eighty-two 
years. He was joined in the bonds of matri- 
monv with Eve Roracli. and a family of nine 
children was born to them, namcK': lohn; 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



511 



Daniel; Freeman; Benjamin; William; Bet- 
sy; Angeline; and Sarali. 

Daniel Horn, the father of our subject, was 
born in Columbia County, and lived in that 
county until sixteen years of age, when his 
parents removed to Laporte township. His 
_\ounger days were spent in assisting his father 
in clearing the homestead and in attending 
the common school. He was educated in ag- 
ricultural pursuits and carried on that voca- 
tion all his active career. He bought a farm 
in Laporte township, which consisted mostly 
of timber land, and cleared the same, making 
it one of the best farms in his neighborhood. 
He was well-known thi-oughout his township 
and i^ossessed the confidence and esteem of 
a host of acquaintances. He entered the w orld 
of rest at the age of thirty-four years. He was 
the father of a family of five children, as fol- 
lows: Malinda; Alveretta; Keturah: Jean- 
nette; and Marcus D., the subject of this ])er- 
sonal history. The mother of our subject 
formed a second matrimonial alliance with 
Levi Hess, and they became the parents of 
four children: Ella; Harvey; Hugh; and 
Clarence. 

Marcus D. Horn was inlellectuall}- trained 
f(ir the battles of life in the i)ublic schools of 
his nati\-e township, and spent his leisure hours 
aiding his father in the work aljout the farm, 
thus ac(|uiring a good education in farming. 
l7pon attaining his manhood he purchased a 
tract of land in the wilderness of Davidson 
township and began lumbering and farming, 
in which occupations he has been very suc- 
cessful. He has cleared a part of his pur- 
chase and made many other improvements 
upon it, such as erecting a new house, out- 
buildings, and jnitting the land under a high 
state of cultivation. When our subject's time 
is not occupied in clearing the farm or har- 
vesting he is engaged in selling nurser)' 



products, being a salesman for the C. W. 
Stewart >S[ Company and the I'erry it Com- 
pany nurseries; he is also engaged in the in- 
surance business, representing the New York 
Life Insurance Company. Mr. Horn is widely 
known throughout Sullivan County as an en- 
terprising and progressive citizen and enjoys 
the res]:)ect and good will of his many friends. 
Mr. Horn formed a matrimc)nial alliance 
w ith Eunice Foust, a daughter of Amos Foust 
of Davidson township, Sullivan County. Two 
sons blessed the ha])py home of our subject 
and wife, namel}': Koland, and Herbert. In po- 
litical views our subject firmly supports the 
Democratic part\-, and has served as school di- 
rector and in minor township offices. Reli- 
giouslx' he and his family are devoted members 
of the Evangelical Church. Socially he is a 
member of the local lodge of the I. O. O. F., 
and the Encampment of Laporte. 



tIEUTENANT ANDREW JACKSON 
STROH, one of the oldest and most 
^^ energetic and progressive citizens 
of Sunbury, Pa., was born on February 21, 
1828, in Upjier Augusta township, and also 
was reared in that Idwnshi]). He is a son of 
Philip and Margaret (Farrow) Stroh. A vet- 
eran of the Civil \\'ar, Mr. Stroh has an ex- 
cellent record as a soldier of which he and his 
family are justly jiroud. 

Seeking a suital)le field for his energy and 
industrv, Philip Stroh. father of our subject, 
removed from Canistoga Center, near Lan- 
caster, in 1808 and settled in Lpper Augusta 
township where he engaged in farmin*^. a 
distilling enterprise, and also added to his 
occupations that of butcher. A cooper by 
trade hediad practically abandoned the occu- 
pation which he had followed in his youthful 



512 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



days. In jiolitics .\Ir. .^troli was allied with 
the Whigs and he filled several local offices to 
the entire satisfaction of his neighbors. At 
the age of seventy-eight years he died in 
Upper Augusta township on January 23, 
1838. Our subject's father twice entered the 
bonds of matrimony, his first wife being Miss 
Spindler and the miion resulting in a family 
of six children. His second marriage was to 
iMargaret, daughter of James Farrow who 
migrated from "Jugtown," now the "West 
luid." in New Jersey near Ivistern Pennsyl- 
\ania, and settled in L'jjpcr Augusta town- 
ship where he followed blacksnu'thing all his 
life. Mr. Farrow cikUmI his earthly jdurnex 
in 1840 at the age of sixtv-five years, iiis 
wife was Miss T.ac_\' and their family consisted 
of nine childiTU. ( )ur subject's mother was 
b(irn ill I'pper ,\ugusla ti)wnshi[). i'"ebruar\- 
28, 1802, and died in the same township in 
1867, leaving two sons, (jeorge W., ;nid .\n- 
drew J. 

.\fter receiving a public school education 
the suliject of our sketch, Antlrew Jackson 
.Stroll, learned his trade as a harness and sad- 
dle-maker at Danville, finishing his appren- 
ticeship in three years. In the spring of 1849 
he engaged in liusiness for himself in Sun- 
bury continuing there until the spring of 1857. 
lie then went to Ih'cmer ("ounlv, la., where 
he followed farming and also his trade, mak- 
ing s.'iddles on the jirairie. Internal strife 
thre;itened the destin\- of the nation .'uid the 
lirst drums of war had sounded Ibeii' alarms. 
.\mong the first to respond to his country's 
call was our subject who, in July, 1861, en- 
listed in the 9th Iowa \'ol. Inf., serving one 
year as orderly sergeant of Company G. He 
served in the Army of Southwest Missouri 
under Gen. Samuel R. Curtis and participated 
in the imyjortant and severe battle of Pea 
Ritlge which \'iclor_\- for the I'liion troops 



had so imi)ortant bearing upon the subsequent 
movements of the Union forces; and subse- 
c|uently our sid^ject fought with Gen. Franz 
Sigel when the threatened inva.sion of Wash- 
ington by ( Icn. Lee's army was prevented. 
At the expiration of his first year's service 
Mr. Stroll was discharged because of sickness 
and returned to Sunbury. ^\'llile the excite- 
ment preceding the battle of Antietam was 
greatest he assisted in raising an emergency 
company of prominent citizens of Stmbury 
of which he was first lieutenant under Capt. 
Charles P>runer, the company being desig- 
nated as Company D, 3d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf. 
'I'lic com])any did duty at Hagerstown, Md., 
witnessing the battle of .\ntietam within plain 
hearing of the fearful cannonading, ami w-as 
on duty for eleven days. When the Confed- 
cr;ilcs ni.uK' tlii-ir raid which culminated in the 
sanguinary struggle at Gettysburg our sub- 
ject again ])roniptly aided in raising an emer- 
gency com])any which was known as Com- 
jiany I", 3'ith Reg.. Pa. Yn]. Tnf., under com- 
mand of Col. II. C. .\IIcman. The coni])any 
went to Gettysburg .and was in service from 
July 5tli to .August 1 ith, 1863. 

Returning to his home after the services 
stated. Mr. Stroh engaged in business which 
has grown constantly until it is now among 
thi- nio^t imporlaiU in Sunbury. He acts as 
an auctioneer, is proprietor of the "I'".agle 
Livery," is a wholesale manufacturer of har- 
ness and horse collars and jobber in wagons, 
buggies and sleighs on Fast Market street, 
doing an extensive and lucrative business. 
He is an honored member of William A. 
P.runer Post. No. 335, G. A. R., and of Fort 
Augusta Lodge, No. 620, I. O. O. F., and 
also is a pa.st grand in the order named and 
has served as representative in the grand lodge 
of the state. 

()ur subject married La\'ina Farnsworth of 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



613 



Sunhury in 1850 and unto tlie happy couple 
lia\e l)cen Ijoimi four chil<Ii'cn : Mar_\' C... wife 
of F. B. Luce of Sunhury: Florence S., who 
married A. W. Bradstreet of Rochester, a 
relative of the originator of the Bradstreet 
rej^orts and who. upon her demise in April, 
1895, left surviving her two children. Andrew 
J., and Elsie, Florence and Floyd, twins, hav- 
ing died in their infanc)-; John C, of Sun- 
hury, w ho wedded Lillian McCaula\' of Phil- 
adelphia, fi\e children resulting from the 
union, two of whom. Elizaheth and Nellie, 
are now living and two having died while in- 
fants: and George .\.. who died when cpiite 
voimg. 



rm- 
s of 



YE\^/1LLL\.M F. IIARl'FL, supe 
Y^V tendent of the jjublic schools 

Shamokin, Northumberland Coun- 
ty, Pa., was the youngest son of Rev. Mark 
and Martha .\nn (Morgan) Harpel, and was 
horn near Freemansburg, Northumljerland 
County, Pa. He was reareil and educated in 
the public schools of Lancaster County and 
Reading, Pa., and subsequently at the State 
Normal School at Millersville. 

Our subject first entered the field as an act- 
ive educator \vhen quite young, teaching the 
pul)lic school in Elizabeth township, Lancas- 
ter County, one year, then receiving the ap- 
pointment of principal of the second gram- 
mar school of Shamokin; in 1877 he was ap- 
pointed principal of the first grammar school; 
September 2, 1880, was promoted to the re- 
sponsible position of superintendent of the 
local schools to fill the unexpired term of Prof. 
F. M. Bates, resigned, which position he has 
since occupied. Although he was but twenty- 
four years old at that time, his remarkable 
success in the school-room had already at- 
tracted the attention of the directors, hence 



his successive re-appointments, serxing eight- 
een years in this capacity, dvu-ing which time 
his educational methods have placed the local 
educational system on a par with that of any 
other town of its size in the country. His 
career in the educational interests of Shamo- 
kin is a conspicuous example of a high posi- 
tion won by a man of learning and energy. 

Supt. Harpel stands among the leaders in 
the ranks of education, which place has been 
universally accorded him liy reason of success 
achieved by him in tlie local public schools. 
Fie is a diligent worker and has earned the 
re])utation of being one of Pennsylvania's 
most progressive educators; is an active mem- 
ber of the National Teachers" Association, the 
Pennsylvania State Teachers' Association, the 
National Superintendents' Association, the 
City Superintendents' Association of Pennsyl- 
vania, the .\merican Academy of Political and 
Social Sciences, and is also a state councilor 
of the American Institute of Civics. 

One of the priceless possessions of Supt. 
Harpel is that happy faculty of giving to oth- 
ers, in a clear manner, that knowledge and 
information with which his own mind is so 
richly stored. This endowment, or Nature's 
gift, if you so choose to call it. is the most 
desirable factor in the make-up of a success- 
ful educator; many of our earnest and pains- 
taking teachers fail because of this lack of 
ability to explain. "They know, and know 
well, but cannot tell what they know." Sui)t. 
Harpel possesses personal enthusiasm in a 
marked degree, and the aljle papers prepared 
and read by him at educational assemblages 
invariably attract widespread attention. He 
has personally visited and studied the systems 
of education pursued in most of the leading 
cities of our country and frequently spends 
his vacation in attending summer institutes or 
I Chautauqua lectures. Being progressive in 



514 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



every respect, he is not slow to adopt new 
and advanced ideas, which is amply demon- 
strated by the high standing of tlie schools 
which he manages. 

Tra\eling is Snpl. Hariiel's faxorilc recre- 
ation, and he has already visited nearly every 
slate and territory in the Union, as well as 
most of the British prox'inces to the north of 
us. In 1882 he matle an extensive trip to the 
(Jld \\'orld and toured Ireland, Scotland, En- 
gland, Holland. Belgium, Germany, Switzer- 
land and France, and spent the simnner of 
1888 in touring througli uuv most northern 
possession, Alaska. 

On July 2, 1896. Supt. llar])cl chose for 
his liride Elizahcth .\la\' Stedman, a charm- 
ing and cultured lady. -She is a daughter of 
James A. Stedman and is a native of New 
\'()vk State. Despite his arduous scliool duties 
oiu" sul)ject takes an active interest in church 
work, and is at present a deacon of Trinity 
Evangelical Lutheran congregation, an<l was 
superintendent of its Sunday School for a 
numl)er of years. He is a tried and valued 
ad\iscr in the councils of the Re])ul)lican ])ar- 
ty. Socially he is a member of the Masonic 
I-'raternity, and alTdiates with Shamokin 
Lodge No. 255, E. & .\. M.: Shamokin Chap- 
ter, No. 264, R. A. M.; Shanujkin Connnand- 
ery. No. 70, K. T. ; Caldwell Consistory, I"^. 
B. 1\. S., 32d Degree, of Bloomsburg, and 
Rajah Temple, IMystic Shrine, of Heading. P.a. 



Lf KAXCIS M. l':\'l':Ri';rT, cashier of 
i Is the Mount Carmcl Banking Com- 
pany and one of the most prominent men in 
the financial circles of Mount Carmel, is a son 
of Elijah and Elizabeth (Stiner) Everett, and 
was born May 11, 1850, in Orange township, 
Cohnnbia Conntv, Pa. 



The ]5alcrnal grandfather of our subject, 
James Everett, was a native of Northampton 
County, this state, who removed to Blooms- 
burg when young, being one of the pioneer 
settlers in what is known as Orange town- 
ship. He was engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits in that townsliip for many years. The 
family on the maternal side was of German 
origin and its members were among the ear- 
liest settlers in Briarcreek township. The 
father of the subject of this sketch, Elijah 
Everett, was born in Briarcreek township and 
resided in it until his death at a comparatively 
early age. 

( )nr subject was educated in the connnon 
schools, llis father d_\ing when he was (|uite 
young, his mother remarried and remo\ed to 
Muncy, Lycoming County, Pa., where h'ran- 
cis remained until he was se\'enteen years of 
age when he forsook the farm and took a 
position as a clerk in the general store of 
1. \\ . llaitman »K: .Son. in Bloomsburg. .\fter 
clerking for a short time he was made man- 
ager of the grocery dei)artment of the store, 
successfully conducting the firm's large bus- 
iness for a lunnber of years. Snl:)sequentlv, 
I from 1S71 to 1874, .Mr. Everett was employed 
in the War Department at Washington. 1). 
C. In iSi)o he connected himself with the 
Bloomsburg B.-mking Companv at Blooms- 
burg, will) which he remained until January, 
1895, when he removed to Mount Carmel, 
where he now resides and where he has been 
very successful in managing banking busi- 
ness. .\s cashier of the company of which 
he now is one of the leading men, the Motmt 
Carmel I banking Company, Mr. Everett has 
shown much ability as a financier and to his 
ability and careful direction is largely due the 
jirosjierity of the company. The officers of 
the company arc: President, Thomas M. 
Righter; \icc-iiresident. David Cami); cash- 




CHARLES L. SANDS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



517 



ier. Francis M. Everett, our subject; direct- 
ors, Thomas M. Righter, David Camp. 
George E. Berner, H. S. Robins, D. D. Bo- 
lich, Isaac Goldschmidt, Peter -A. Stief. Ben- 
jamin Wirt, Josepli Gould, John L. Williams, 

0. B. Millard of Centralia. and Joseph S. 
Nowakoski. 

Mr. Everett is a member of the board of 
directors of the Mount Carmel Iron Works, 
the officers of which are : President, David 
Camp: vice-president. S. E. Bergstresser; 
treasurer and manager. J. ]\I. Derby. He also 
is president of the Miners' & Laborers' Build- 
ing & Loan Association. He is a trustee of 
the M. E. Church in which he is an active 
member. 

Twice has our subject been united in mar- 
riage, first to Anna Hartman. daughter of 

1. W. Hartman. and unto them were born 
two daughters: Minnie, wife of A. H. Derby 
of Mount Carmel, and Alary, wife of E. F. 
Carpenter of Bloomsburg who is one of the 
clerical force of the First National Bank of 
Bloomsburg. Mr. Everett's second marriage 
was to Amelia Xeyhard of Bloomsburg and 
their union has been blessed by three child- 
ren, Robert, Frederick and Margaret. 



7J5 HARLES L. SANDS, of the firm of 
I J[ C. L. Sands & Company, proprietors 

^» ^ of the Mordansville Woolen Mills, 

manufacturers of flannels, yarns, blankets and 
skirts, and one of the highly esteemed citizens 
of Mordansville. was born in Greenwood 
township, Columbia County, Pa., December 
1 6, 1849, ''"'1 i"^ '^ ^on of Joseph and Esther 
(Lundy) Sands. 

John Sands, the great-great-grandfather ol 
our subject, and his brother Sanuiel emigrated 
from England prior to the Ivcvolutionary 



War. being driven from their native country, 
as were many others, by religious persecution. 
Samuel settled on Long Island, N, Y., where 
many of his descendants now reside. John, 
the progenitor of our subject's branch of the 
family, located in Berks County, Pa. Among 
his children was Daniel Sands, the great- 
grandfather of our sid)ject, who was a resident 
of Berks County all his life; he was the father 
of a family of children, one of whom was John, 
our subject's grandfather, who came to Co- 
lumbia County about 1800. John Sands was 
a miller by trade and first located at Brown's 
Mills. ]\Iifflin township, wdiere he followed his 
trade a number of years, and later operated 
what is now known as Coles Mills, in Pine 
townshii). He worked these mills until death 
claimed him, in June, 1856, aged seventy 
years. His wife was Hannah Eck of Briar- 
creek township, Columbia County, and they 
were the parents of the following children: 
Anna, widow of Baltis Girton of Hemlock 
township, and now a resident of Aledo, 111.; 
Emma, who died young: Uzilla, widow of 
James Strong, who was killed in the blowing- 
up of Fort Fisher; Mary, who resides at Or- 
angeville, Columbia County; Horace, a miller 
of Wyalusing, Bradford County; and Joseph 
E., the father of our subject. 

Joseph E. Sands was born, March 11, 1811, 
in Mifflin township, Columbia County, Pa., 
at Brown's Mills: when but a boy he found 
employment in the Briarcrcek Woolen Mills. 
Becoming thoroughly accpiainted with the 
manufacture of woolen goods, he erected a 
factory one mile north of the village of Rohrs- 
burg, Columbia Comity, and there engaged 
in the manufacture of woolen goods on his 
own account. PI is factory was operated by 
water power and, in 1857. when the water sup- 
ply gave out. he built the Sands Woolen Mills 
at Mordansville, into which he moved his old 



518 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



macliinerv and succcssftill}- followed his busi- 
ness until his death, on February 24, 1881, at 
Philadelphia; he and our subject, his son, 
were in that city at the time purchasing goods 
when the elder Mr. Sands succumbed to a 
stroke of apoplexy. Originally Mr. Sands 
was a Whig in politics, but later a Re])ublican, 
and in 1875 was elected county commissioner 
over the o])posing candidate by a majority of 
2,800 \otes. He was one of the conuuission- 
ers who supervised tlie construction of the 
present county jail. lie was a member of the 
Masonic Order and the I. O. O. F. ; he joined 
the state militia to repel the invasion of Gen. 
Lee in 1863. Like his ancestors, he was a 
member of the Society of Friends. He was 
joined in marriage with Esther Lundy, a 
(laughter of Reuben Lundy, a farmer of Mill- 
\\\\c. Pa., and to this tmion eiglit children 
were born, namely: John, a farmer of Rohrs- 
burg, who (lied in 1880; Henry Harrison, a 
soldier in the Civil War, was a member of the 
I32d Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., nine months and 
served one year in the 210th Pa. Regiment, 
and took part in the battles of Antietam, Fred- 
ericksburg, South Mountain, Chancellorsville, 
Grand Forks, and many other notable engage- 
ments; William E., also a veteran of the Civil 
A\'ar, now engaged in farming" in Mt. Pleasant 
township, Columbia County, Pa.; Thomas E., 
a retired woolen manufacturer, who was also 
a soldier in the Civil War; Annie Margaret, 
deceased, who was the wife of Webster W. 
Eves, a member of the firm of Ellis Eves & 
Pros., merchants of Millville, Pa.; Charles L., 
our subject; Joseph H., an oil producer and 
president of the gas company at Bowling 
Green, Ohio; and James P., deceased. 

Charles L. Sands received his elementary 
education in the common schools and at 
Greenwood Seminary. He then followed the 
occu])ation of a farmer for two }ears, and in 



1875 wenl lo Milh ille. where he was engaged 
in the li\ery business and ran a stage line from 
that village to Bloomslnug. In 1880 he be- 
came a resident of Mordans\iIlc, and in the 
following _\ ear purchased the woolen mills, 
which lie conducted alone until 1886, when 
he took W. K. Ilagenbach and M. J. Elder 
into the business. In 1898 Mr. Elder retired 
from the business and the firm name has since 
been C. L. Sands & Company. 

Mr. Sands is an ardent Republican in poli- 
tics, and in ]8(ji he was one of the c(junty 
commissioners who supervised the building of 
the county court-house; he also served as mer- 
cantile a])praiscr in 1888, and he has served as 
justice of the peace since 1884. He is a mem- 
ber and past master of Washington Lodge 
No. 265, F. «& A. M., of Bloomsburg; and a 
member of Camp No. 17, P. O. S. of A. He 
belongs to the Society of Friends. Mr. Sands 
was married May 13, 1871, to Mary Zeigler, 
daughter of the late Daniel Zeigler of Mt. 
Pleasant. an(^I this union was blessed by three 
children: Maude, the wife of Harry Johnson, 
a farmer of Madison townshi]^; Maggie, 
united in marriage to Allen Eves, a farmer; 
and Jose])h E., a merchant of Mordansville. 
Mr. Sands' p(jrtrait is shown on another page 
in this work. 



(^ ()I1N CLIFFORD, a jirosperous. en- 
terprising merchant of Shamokin, was 
born in Wierzchucin, Prussia, I*"ebru- 
ary 10, 1843. and is a son of Joseph and 
\'ictoria (Kaczmarek) Clifford. ]\Ir. ("lif- 
ford immigrated to .America when about 
eleven years of age in company with his moth- 
er and the following sisters and brother : Con- 
stance, the wife of Albert Hopper, North- 
umberland County; Mary, deceased, who 
married .\illuu' lialcer: and Peter, a whole- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



519 



sale liquor dealer, agent for beer, etc., who 
resides in the Second Ward of Shamokin. 

Our subject's mother was born in 1818 
in Poland and married as her second husband 
John Stenk, and four children were the results 
of their union : George, who is a prominent 
hotel-keeper in Shamokin; Joseph, now de- 
ceased; August, residing in the suburbs of 
Shamokin; and one who died at the age of 
two years. 

The Clifford family upon coming to Amer- 
ica, in 1854, came directly to Northumber- 
land County and located near Shamokin, at 
the place then called Coal Run or Lancaster 
Colliery, now known as Lancaster Switch. 
After residing there about two years the fam- 
ily removed to Trevorton where our subject 
engaged in mining for about si.\ nidntiis, suV)- 
secjuently locating at Herndon one summer, 
thence to Danville where he remained until 
1861. Li 1861 the family located perma- 
nently in Shamokin. Our suliject received his 
early education in his native country, Prus- 
sia, and for a number of years after coming 
to Shamokin he found employment in and 
aliout the mines, serving as supervisor and 
at various other occupations in connection 
with the mines. About 1874 he quit mining 
and engaged in the hotel business for about 
twelve years, discontinuing that to engage in 
the general mercantile business. He has fol- 
lowed this business successfully until the pres- 
ent time. He is now located at No. 703 Race 
street, and enjoys the reputation of handling- 
only first-class goods and giving good, hon- 
est bargains to his customers. 

On December 27, 1864, Mr. Clifford was 
united in marriage with P)arbara Harris, and 
their union was blessed with the following 
large and numerous family of children: 
Cecilia, born June 30, 1866, wife of Enoch 
Longo. proprietor of the Franklin House in 



Shamokin ; John, born December 20, 1867, in 
Shamokin, was reared and educated in Sha- 
mokin, after which he also engaged in the 
mercantile business and at present is his fath- 
er's very proficient bookkeeper, — he is agent 
for the Plolland American Steamship Line, 
and has served as clerk of election board, — he 
married Mary Jasielones of Shamokin; Jos- 
eph A., who was born February 6, 1870, was 
educated in tb.e common schools of Shamokin 
and is now in the emjjlo}- of his father, but 
was formerly a tailor by trade, and now is 
employed as'a cutter; Frank A., a prominent 
plumber and tinsmith of Shamokin, was born 
May 25, 1872, and was united in marriage 
with Mary Mullen; Cliarles, a conductor for 
the Shamokin Street Railway Company, was 
born July 7, 1874, and chose for his wife Mary 
Snyder; Mary Catherine, l)orn August 20, 
1876; Alfred J., born December 20. 1878; 
Amelia, born No\'ember 16, 1880. and died 
June 3, 1884; Gertrude, born January 27, 
1883; Genevieve, Ijorn March 11, 1885; Leo, 
born October 7, 1887; Marcella, born Octo- 
ber 30, i88g, died December 16, 1889; Bar- 
bara, born Alarcli 17, 1893, and died in in- 
fancy. 

Mr. Clifford has been a director in the 
Guarantee Trust & Safe Deposit Company, 
and also of the Shamokin Street Railway 
Company since the organization of those com- 
panies. He is also director of the Shamokin 
Electric Light & Power Company. He for- 
merly inter])reted in court, Init of late has 
given up that work. lie still retains the 
agency for sexeral steamship companies. He 
represents the Red Star Line, American Line, 
and also the Haml)urg and .\merican Line. 
Politically our subject is a Democrat and is 
always pleased at the success of his party. 
He has served one term as councilman. 



520 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 




lARLES FRITZ enjoys the distinc- 
tion of l:)eing the most successful 
hardware dealer in Trevorton, 
Zerhc township. He hegan Inisiness in this 
hue in 1S73, ha\in^' then e)nl\' a common tin 
si ore but shortly afterward branched out in 
llie hardware business also, and for many 
years owned the only hardware store in Tre- 
\'ort()n. lie has i^raduall}- built up his busi- 
ness until now he is supplied not only with all 
kinds of tin and j^ranitcware, but also with a 
com])lete line of all kinds of hardware, stoves, 
etc. 

( )ur subject is a son of William and 
C'hrisiiana (Schlatter) Fritz and was born 
.\o\end)er 17, 1H54, in 'rre\'orlon. Xorth- 
und)erland C"ounty. lie obtained the rudi- 
ments of an education in the jniblic schools 
of his nali\e town, but at the early age of 
nine vears began \v(M-king in and around the 
nu'nes which work he continued imtil he at- 
tained the age of fifteen years. In 1869 he 
was apprenticed to a tinner in Sunburw where 
he contimied to work until 1873. when he 
went into business for himself in his native 
town of Trevorton. 

l)r. W'illi.'un h'ritz, father of our subject, 
was a man of prominence and was also one 
of the most successful physicians in the Sev- 
enteenth Congressional District. He was born 
in Kircheim on the Sudetic Mountains, in 
the Kingdom of W'urtemberg, Germany, Oc- 
tober 28. 1813. He received a splendid edu- 
cation in Ciermany, graduating as a druggist 
and ])hysician from the celebrated University 
of Lubengin, April 8. 1836. He immediately 
began to practice his profession in his native 
country and continued with marked success 
for a period of twelve years. Tn 1848 he immi- 
grated to this countrv and practiced in ]\Iin- 
ersville, Schuylkill County, Pa., until 1852 
when he located permanenth in TrcNorton 



where he practiced his chosen profession un- 
til death overtook him. He was a Christian 
man antl was belo\ed by all. He attained 
great skill in the ])ractice of his jirofession 
and it was such a pleasure to him to be able 
to relieve jiain that he did nuich charitable 
work among the poor. In 1836 he was 
unite<l in marriage with Frederica Schlatter, 
who departed this life in 1892 at the age of 
eighty years. The following are the names 
of their children, who grew to manhood and 
womanhood: \\ ilheniin;i. born 1837 and died 
1857: John William, bt)rn January 2. 1841. 
died August 21, 1869, bc^rn in (jermany and 
lived in Trevorton after coming to .America, 
where he followed mining. — he marrieil Cath- 
erine Kastetter, who with three children, Wil- 
liam, (leorge and h'lla, still survive him and 
reside in Trevorton; .\mclia, born .'^eptend>er 
4. 1856, and died in 187S. became the 
wife of John Reicliwine. and left two chiltl- 
icn. William and Mary, of Sagon, Northum- 
berland County; M;uy, born in 1844. wife of 
John Schweitzer, is the mother of the follow- 
ing ten children, — William, Enuua, Kate, 
John, Mary, Matilda, Charles. Fred, Frank, 
and .\ndrew. 

Charles h'ritz, cm- subject, was united in 
marriage November 19, 1882, with Jemima 
Weiser, a daughter of George Weiser of Fow- 
er Augusta township, Northumberland Coun- 
ty. To them have been born si.x children ; 
Mary Jane, born October 12. 1883; Sarah 
Alice, born July 3. 1885. anti died on Christ- 
mas Day 1891; Charles William, born Octo- 
ber 3. 1887; Emma Bertha, born March 8, 
1890; Alartin Luther, born October 9, 1893; 
Irene Jemima, born January 10, 1897. 

George W'eiser, father-in-law of our sub- 
ject, deserves especial mention in this sketch. 
He was born in 1812 and died in the autunni 
of 1882. He was uni\ersallv esteemed as a 




DR. WILLIS H. PURMAN. 



SE\ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



623 



e^ood citizen, faithful to every trust placed in 
his hands; he was a man of character and 
possessed more than ordinary intelligence, 
which, joined to a large fund of conmion 
sense, made him a man of prominence in his 
connnnnit\-. He was a man of good judg- 
ment, was stern in his \icws, vet he was kind- 
hearted and charitahle; as a neighbor, he was 
])c;iceable and ever readv to lend a hel])ing 
hand. He was not indifferent to the great 
questions of the day in religion or ])olitics. 
He was one of the founders of St. Peter's 
I^utheran Church at Ilollow I\nn and one 
of its most liberal supiiorters. 11 is life was 
considered well and noblv spent and his death 
caused universal grief. 

Our subject is a luost \-alucd member nf the 
Lutheran Church in which he served as dea- 
con six years, after which he resigned. He is 
class-leader and Sunrlay school sn]jerintend- 
cnl for the ticrman dc])artment. I'oliticall_\- 
he is a good Democrat, and has served one 
term as auditor, during which he made a good 
record. He was one of the organizers of the 
Trevorton Mutual Fire Insurance Com])anv. 
has served as its vice-president, and is one of 
its present directors. 



M 



R. \MLLIS H. PURMAN. Colum- 
bia County enjoys the reputation of 
having in her midst some of the most 
skilled physicians of the state, and not l)y any 
means the lea.st of them is the gentleman 
whose name appears abo\'e and whose portrait 
precedes this sketch. Dr. Purman possesses 
that peculiar insight into the hidden causes 
of various forms of disease which will ever 
he the greatest recommendation of a success- 
ful jdiysician. A case once clefinitelv diag- 
nosed loses much of the dread that surrounds 
it, and the mistakes that are occasionalh- made 



by even the best practitioners result invariably 
from an incorrect diagnosis. Our subject was 
born in Clinton Count}', I'a., and is a scni of 
the distinguished physician. Dr. John Iv. Pur- 
man, grandson of Rev. Dr. Mclchior Purman, 
and great-grandson of Dr. John Purman. 

Dr. Jolin Purman was ;i nati\e of Cermany 
and was graduated froiu the .Medical Science 
University of Germanx-; he practiced iiis pro- 
fession in that comitrv fur manv vears ;md 
then innuigrated to .\merica with his fann'lv. 
locating in Xew N'ork City, where he g.'iined 
a wide re]nitation as a physician. Melchior 
Purman. the grandfather of our sid)iect. |)re- 
jiared himself for the ministry, an.d occupied 
a pulpit in Harrisburg for a nundier of vears. 
He was joined in the bonds nf wedlock with 
a Miss Kindile, and they rearcfl a f.amily of 
four children, namely : I'dizabeth. the wife of 
Dr. Myers; Catherine, the wife of Mr. Bech- 
tle; William, deceased, who was prepared for 
the ministry; and John K., the father of our 
subject. 

Dr. John Iv. Purman graduated in medi- 
cine and followed his chosen profession in 
Harrisburg. Pa., but later retired to the vil- 
lage of Dauphin, Pa. He passed from this 
life at the age of seventy-four years. During 
his latter days he spent many of his winters 
in Jacksonville, Fla. He chose for his life 
companion Sarah Harter, a daughter of John 
Harter of Center County, Pa., and eight chil- 
dren blessed their home, as follows: W'illi.am 
J., a graduate of medicine, and e.\-Member of 
Congress, now residing in \\'ashington, D. C, 
where he is engaged in dealing in real estate; 
Louis C. a prominent physician of Wash- 
ington, D. C. ; Willis H., whose name heads 
these lines; Mary, wife of William Taylor; 
Sadie, wife of John A. Williams: Susan, whose 
first husband was M. O. White, formetl a sec- 
ond matrimonial alliance with John Wolf; 



524 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Eliza, deceasc'il; and Luclla, wife (if (jeorge 
E. Tracy. 

Dr. Willis II. I'lirnian commenced study- 
ing medicine with Dr. Ira M. Mitchell in 
Jacksonville, l-"la., after which he entered the 
University of liar\-ard, from \\hich he was 
graduated in 1886. Later he completed his 
education by taking a special course in the 
University of W'ashington and the Medico- 
Chirurgical College of I'hiladel])liia, I'a. He 
then began practice in the Providence Hos- 
pital at Washington, D. C, but subsequently 
removed to Northumberland, I'a., where he 
was appointed ])h\sician anil surgeon for the 
Penn.sylvania & Erie K. R., continuing" in that 
capacity until 1895. At the c.\])iration of that 
time he moved to llloomsburg, Columbia 
County, where, b_\- the gentlemanly demeanor 
which he has manifested toward every one, 
he has W(jn the good-will and respect of the 
entire community. 

Dr. Purman was united in marriage with 
Anna E. Scheaffle, wiio also comes of a prom- 
inent famil\- of physicians, her father lieing 
Dr. C. W. .SheafHe of Lewisburg, J 'a. Her 
great-grandfather, a native of Germany, was a 
celebrated physician and chemist of his day, 
and came to the I'niled .Stales witli his son, 
the grandfather of .Mis. I'm-m;u). Her broth- 
ers are physicians and pharmacists in their 
respective localities, as follows: Wilson W. of 
I'liiladeljihia; Earnest ui .Mmphv. Cal.; and 
Clarence C. of .S.-m Francisco, C.il. Her sis- 
ters are as follows: Sarah, the wife of John 
Packer Haas, whose biogra])hy ai)])ears else- 
where in this work: l.aura, wife of William 
Sutton of Philadelphia, Pa.: .and XelHe of 
Washington, D. C. 

In politics our subject is a st.anch l\e])ub- 
lican. Socially he is a mend)er and ])ast grand 
of the T. O. O. 1". Lodge \'o. !(/>: a nu-mber 



of the Knights of Malta: and Patriotic Order 
Sons of America. 

Dr. Purman has kept in step with the won- 
derful advance made by his profession during 
late years. He may be said to be wedded to 
his profession, and as he is, by nature as well 
as by education, eminently qualified for his the 
most benevolent of all professions, he com- 
mands and enjoys the res])ect and conlidence 
of his m;my patrons. 




ILLIA.M II. DEETER, justice of 
the peace in Coal township, was 
l)orn in Hegins townshi]), Schuylkill Count v. 
Pa., December 13, ]80i, autl is a son of Peter 
and Phoebe (l)over) Deeter and a grandson 
of y\ndrew Deeter. 

Andrew Deeter was of German parentage 
and lived the greater part of his life in Schuyl- 
kill County, Pa., where he followed the occu- 
pation of a farmer. Later in life he remoxed 
to Lykens, Dau|)hin County, where he died. 

Peter Deeter, our subject's father, Inst saw 
the light of da\ in Hegins township, Schuvl- 
kill County, Pa. lie recei\'ed the ordinarv 
education of a farmer's bov. and, like his 
father, when grown to m.anhood follo\ve<l th.at 
occupation for a livclilioo<l. He was among 
the fn"st to res])on(I to his country's call for 
troops in 1861, .and (.■nlisled in the jCith I'^eg., 
Pa. \'ol. Lif. .\fter his discharge from the 
service he re-enlisted in Companx' K, joth 
Regiment, as a corporal ;ui<l ser\ed three 
years and ten months, l.aking an .active ])art 
in many engagements and in one battle was 
wounded in tiie shoulder. He receixed an 
honorable discharge, returned home and 
again turned his attention to t'arming for a 
short time, after which he found em])lo\inent 
about the public works in Schuvlkili Counlv 
mitil 1870, when he located i)ermanently in 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



525 



Shamokin, and has since been engaged in 
the transfer business, general teaming, etc. 
Politically Mr. Deeter is an earnest Republi- 
can and is al\va_\s gratified at the success of his 

party. 

William 11. Deeter, the subject of this per- 
sonal history, receix'ed a common school edu- 
cation in Shamokin, after which he was given 
a finishing course in the high schools of Dau- 
phin County. While a boy he s])ent his hours 
not employed at school at the breaker as a 
slate-picker. Having completed his educa- 
tion he returned to Shamokin and taught 
school for about one year; then he went into 
the mercantile business in .Shamokin and con- 
tinued at that for about two years when he 
disposed of his stock at a good profit and 
began clerking in another >tiire. fnUuwing 
this occupation for about two months. In 
1890 he \\as elected justice of the peace for 
Coal township by a large majorit}'. He at 
once established an office and was so fair 
and honorable in his legal dealings with the 
people that he was re-elected at the close of 
his first term l)y a still greater majority. Mr. 
Deeter's record stands clear and clean, he hav- 
ing made an honorable and upright judge. 

Our subject's mother was born September 
27, 1838, and is a daughter of Daniel Boyer, 
a native of Orwigsburg, who removed late 
in life to Hegins township, Schuylkill County, 
where he passed the remainder of his days, 
respected and honored by his pioneer neigh- 
bors. Cinderella J. was the only daughter of 
Peter and Phoebe Deeter; she died at the 
age of five years and twenty-nine days. 

April 26, 1894, our subject was joined in 
the holy bonds of matrimonv with Marv 
Sophronia Taylor, a charming and accom- 
plished lady, both are well and favorably 
known and have numerous friends in all p;u"ts 
ol the comity. Puliticaib' otu' subject is a 



Republican, never fails to take an active in- 
terest in ])olitical matters in his township, and 
has served a nunil)cr of times as a member 
of the election board. 




\TTON A. PENSYL, Esq., of the 
lorough of Snydertown, Pa., was 
born in Danville, Pa., July 2, 1853. 
He is a son of George and Mary A. (Vastinc) 
Pensyl, ami grandson of John Pensyl, Sr., of 
Shamokin townshi]). 

John Pensxd, Sr., the paternal grandfather 
of our subject, was a native of Shamokin 
townshi]), but die<l in Rush townshiii. PTe 
was a follower of agricultural pursuits; he was 
united in marriage with a Miss Ivaseman, and 
six children blessed their union: John, Jr., a 
retired shoem.iker and f.arnier, who now lives 
in Rush tt)wnshi]); George, our subject's fath- 
er; Daniel, who now lives in Dan\'ille, Pa.; 
Hannah, who died in Philadelphia and was 
the wife of John Hiney; Barbara, who mar- 
ried Henry Hill, and lived in Shamokin town- 
ship, died recently; and Catherine, who 
married Josei)h Matter, a blacksmith, now re- 
tired, who lives in Scranton, Pa. After the 
death of his first wife John married a Miss 
Willett, and to them were born four children: 
William, a tanner and farmer, who now lives 
at Elysburg, Pa.; Samuel, who died in 1897 
and was a retired farmer living in Rush town- 
ship; Adam, a farmer, who now resides in 
Rush township; and Francis, wdio is a mer- 
chant, uuller, postmaster and farmer at Pensyl, 
Pa, 

George Pensyl, our subject's father, was 
born and grew to manhood in Shamokin 
township, but later lived in Danville ten years. 
He was a carpenter and boss-heater. He 
mo\ed to Sh.iniokin townshi]) about iS^^^Cjand 
bought a farm, upon which he li\ed until his 



526 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



death, July 7, 1880. He married Ann Vastine 
of Rush townsliip, who (hod in 1850: three 
children resulted from their union: Thomas 
\'., a Ijjacksmitii. wlio responded to our 
country's call in the Civil War and died in 
1870, — lie was married to Malinda Read; 
Helen M., who married John 1. Miller, a tin- 
ner at Mount Carmel, Pa., and they have 
three children, \\'illiam, linnna, and Olive; 
and Ellis, chief engineer in the Philadelphia 
Inquirer ofifice. 

Our suhject's father, after the death of his 
lirst wife, married her cousin, Mary A. \'as- 
tine, of Rush townshi]). who died October 27, 
1 87 1. They were the parents of three chil- 
dren: Hatton A., our subject; Clara H., wdio 
married C A. Starlzel, now living at Mount 
Carmel, I'a., and has one son, Frank; and 
William II., who deals in books, stationery, 
wall paper, ])aint. etc., at Mount Carmel, Pa., 
who married Mary Morey, and they have one 
child. Hazel. Mrs. Pen.syl, our subject's moth- 
er, was a school teacher and followed her 
chosen profession for several years. She found 
her greatest ])leasure in becoming acquainted 
with the great minds of our country through 
the books they have written, and consequently 
was well informed u])on all the subjects of the 
time in which she lived. Mr. Pensyl was quite 
active in ])olitics and sup])orted the Ivepub- 
lican ])arty, in which he lirndy believed. Al- 
though ver\- well known in the county he nev- 
er as]3ired to an official ])osilion. 

Hatton .\. Pensyl, our sidiject, was edu- 
cated in the conunon schools, but feeling the 
need of further advancement he attended the 
academy at F.ly.sburg. Pa., for about three 
years, during which time he lived at home. At 
the age of twenty-one he engaged in mercan- 
tile trade at Snydertovvn. Pa., with William 
and Francis Pensyl, and owned a half interest 
in the business. They were together for about 



five years and then sold out. He then en- 
gaged in similar business in Perwick, Pa., for 
one year, and also at Milton one \ear. On 
June 23, 1881, our subject became connected 
with one of the old families at Snydertown. 
Pa., by marr}ing Lillie Farrow, a daughter of 
\Villiam and Isabella (Wilkinson) Farrow, the 
former being the genial proprietor of one of 
the hotels of Snydertown. Mr. h'arrow is now 
eighty-five years old. IVIr. and Mrs. Pensyl 
have no children. After his marriage our sub- 
ject located at Millheim, Pa., and had a store 
for two vears, also owned and operated a store 
at Sunbury five years, and then engaged in 
business as a dry goods merchant for three 
years at Mount Carmel, Pa.; he then sold out 
and moved to Snydertown, Pa., where he 
bought the store property, which he remod- 
eled and improved. In 1898 he built a large 
double house next to it, which he now rents. 
He was elected justice of the i)eace in the 
spring of 1895. He is also a real estate dealer 
and makes a specialty of collections and the 
settling of estates. Politically he is a stanch 
Republican, InU not an office seeker. Mrs. 
Pensyl is a mend)er of the Methodist Church. 
Our subject belongs to a nund)er of societies. 
He has li\ed to realize the success of all his 
undertakings, which is the result of hi.s' own 
well-directed efforts and industry, and now 
enjoys the fruit of his labors. 




II. 1.1AM 1'. I"< )l\l^^', junior mem- 
ber of the lirm of 1. W. h'orry cK: 
Son, was born in Womelsdorf, I'a.. 
January 9, 1865. He is the son of iM'ank 
Forry and grandson of (leorge I'orry. who 
was a native of Lebanon County. Pa., where 
he followed agricultural imrsuits for many 
years, and died. 

Frank Forrv. father of our subject, was 




JAMES E. SMITH. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



529 



horn in T.el>anon County, Pa., and was reared 
on his father's farm, receiving a common 
schocjl education. He went to Sheridan wlien 
(juite a _\-oung- man and learned the milling 
business, whicli he followed until i8r)5. Sub- 
sequently he started in the knitting business 
for himself. ' 

Mr. Forry was the proud possessor of the 
first circular knitting machine ever brought 
into the state of Pennsylvania. This machine 
inmiediatel}' was a source of wonder to the 
inhabitants of ^\"omelsdorf, where Mr. Forry 
resided, and it was a ])leasure to its owner, 
who exhil)ited it with delight and enjoyed 
showing the skill and rapidity with which he 
turned out hosiery from it. Many circular 
machines are now in use and it is impossible 
for hand-work to compete with them in point 
of econoni}- and beaut_\- of workmanship. 

Our subject's father is now senior member 
of the firm of I. ^^^ Forry & Son, who own 
and operate a large knitting factor} at Sha- 
mokin. Coal township, the management of 
which Ijusiness is entrusted to William F. 
Forry, our subject. Mr. Forry has a branch 
factory atAIyerstown, Lebanon Comity, hav- 
ing been located there for the past thirteen 
years. He is a scientific man and devotes 
much of his time to the improvement of knit- 
ting machinery. 

William F. Forry, our subject, received the 
rudiments of an education in the public 
schools of Womelsdorf. At an earlv age he 
learned the knitting business with his father, 
which he thoroughl)- mastered when quite 
}oung. He now has a thorough knowledge 
of his vocation and is familiar with all the par- 
ticular features of the business and daily puts 
them into use. At the age of twenty-one 
years he became a member of the firm of I. W. 
F"orry & Son. and at the present time has the 
management of the l)usiness at Shamokin. 



This factory, running on full time, employs 
150 hands, and is engaged in manufacturing 
half-hose, women's, children's and infants' 
hosiery, besides many specialties. The yearly 
output of this factory is about 100,000 dozen, 
which is sold to jobbers in the dift'erent states. 
The factory has an excellent reputation for the 
fine quality of the yarn used and for the ex- 
cellence of its goods. It is an interesting sight 
to visit this factory, see the busy workers, hear 
the click, click, of the machines, and witness 
the rapidity with which articles are made. 

December 24, 1889, our subject was united 
in marriage with Amelia Adaius, daughter of 
Richard Adams of Bern township, Berks 
County, Pa., and unto Mr. and Mrs. Forry 
were born the following children: John and 
Frank, twins, born on the anniversary of the 
birth of the Father of our Country, February 
22, 1893; and Richard, the youngest, born 
August 8, 1896. 

Mr. Forry disijla_\s marked ability in the 
management of this industry, and it is fair to 
predict a life of usefulness and prosperity for 
him. 



AMES E. SMITtl. The thriving town 
of Berwick is well represented by a 
thorough-going, wide-aw ake and ener- 
getic class of business men. among whom J. 
E. Smith is prominent. He has served two 
years as president of the borough council. He 
is senior member of the widely-known firm 
of Smith Bros., dealers in general merchan- 
dise, and is a member of the firm of Lilley & 
Snnlh, shirt manuf;icturers. Our subject was 
born in Morris County, N. J., August 22, 
1859, and is a son of Isaac S. Smith, a retired 
merchant of Stephensburg, N. J. 

The great-grandparents of our subject, on 
both the paternal and maternal sides, were of 



530 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Scotch-Irish origin and were born in the 

Nortli i)f Ireland. The paternal great-grand- 
fatlier, Isaac Smith, came to this conntry and 
located near i.lairstown, N. J., where he fol- 
lowed farming, lie married Miss Wintermnte 
of Sussex County, N. J., ;nid ihey reared the 
following children: lohn; C'h;u"lcs; I'jioch; 
Isaac; Henry; Jdshu.i: .Valium S.; and Sar- 
ah .\. (Cook). 

Ji)lm Smith, the grandfather of our subject, 
resided near the old homestead all his lifetime, 
^\■as a farmer and was ])r()Si)erous and promi- 
nent, lie was united in marriage with Kath- 
arine Kinney i)f N'ew jersey, and to them 
were born the following children: Isaac S., the 
father of the sid)jecl of this biographical 
sketch; Marg.aret: K.itliarine; Sarah; ;md 
Rachel. Religiously, John Smith was a I'res- 
byterian. Isaac S. Smith, in October, 1S57. 
m.irried .\nn Elizabeth lieatty, eldest daugh- 
ter of James and Sarah .\. ( h'ritts) Beatty of 
Pleasant Gro\e, X. J. To them were born: 
James E. ; Florence: W'illard; Mary F., de- 
ceased; Bertha; and Katharine. 

James E. Smith has been engaged in the 
mercantile business ever since he attained his 
majority. In 1887 he moved to Berwick, and 
in March of that \ear he and liis brother, W'il- 
lard Smith, embarked in the mercantile busi- 
ness, succeeding Freas Brothers. In 1889 
they moved their store to the corner of Front 
and Market streets, where they occupy a large 
and connnodious store-room. They enlarged 
their already extensive stock, and now carry 
a complete line of dry goods, groceries, Crock- 
er}', and all the other articles suited to the 
\\ants of every houselu)ld that go to make up 
a general store. The store is one of the largest 
of its kind in Cohnnbia ("ounty, and such has 
been the character of the pro])rietors, their 
dealings being always honorable and upright, 
and their manners genial and affable, they 



have secured a large trade. In 1896 the Ber- 

wick Manufacturing Company was established 
with our subject and Mr. Lilley as proprietors. 
The\' have erected a large two-story building, 
30 by 90 ft., with an engine room 15 by 20 
ft., on the corner of Xorlh and I^ine streets. 
They em])lo\- sc\enty luuuls, who are con- 
stantly kept busy in the making of men's 
shirts and ladies' shirt-waists. Mr. Smith h;is 
purchased the W. 15. Freas residence, which is 
a very handsome house, and makes it his 
home. He also possesses other houses and is 
the owner of a large tenement house on Rail- 
road street. 

Our subject is one of the leaders of his com- 
nnmity and takes an active interest in the af- 
fairs of Berwick. 1 le has served on the school 
board; has been a member of the town coun- 
cil six \ears, and is actix e in Christian work, 
liaving joined the church in childhood, of 
which his father is an elder (Pleasant Grove, 
\. J., Presbyterian); on removing to Penn- 
sylvania he transferred his membership, and is 
now ser\-ing as a ruling elder and trustee in 
the First Presbyterian Church of Berwick. He 
was united in the bonds of matrimony with 
Hattie Petty, a daughter of M. H. Petty, a 
prosperous farmer of Briarcreek townshi]), 
who was born in Wilkcsbarre, Pa. His father, 
William Petty, was born in Northampton 
Comity, Pa., and was a son of John Petty, 
who came from Comiecticut to Northampton 
County, and was one of the pioneer farmers 
of that .section. William Petty was a farmer 
and was extensively engaged in lumljering. 
In i8j7 he moved to Luzerne County, Pa., 
where he purchased a large tract of land in 
Hanover township, and erected a grist-mill, 
which he operated in comiectioti with farm- 
ing. He passed from this life in 1869, aged 
eighty-three years. His wife was Lydia Stroll, 
who was born in Berks Countv, Pa., and died 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



531 



in ii'^H^, at the age of eighty-six years, leaving 
the following children: Peter; Levi; Amy; 
and Mathias H. Mathias H. Petty, the father 
of onr snliject's wife, was born November 25, 
1832, and on December 28, 1854, he wedded 
Alary Pell, and left his father's home to estab- 
lish one of his own. He followed farming four- 
teen years in his nati\e township and six years 
in Salem township; in 1876 he moved to 
Briarcreek township, Columbia County, where 
he has since been engaged in his chosen occu- 
]jation. He owns one of the best farms in 
his section of the county and is recognized 
as a leader in the comnnmity. He is the fath- 
er of ten cliildren, all of whom are well-to-do 
citizens in the various localities in which they 
reside. They were named as follows: Hattie, 
the wife of our subject; Amy; Samuel; Wil- 
liam: Charles M.; Margaret; Mary; Louise; 
Edyth; and Emily. 

Mr. and ]\lrs. Smith are the parents of three 
children, namely: Rose Lee, born in 1885; 
James Howard, born in 1887; and Arthur 
Mathias, born in 1893. Mr. Smith is a past 
master of Knaj)]! Lodge, No. 462, F. & A. M.; 
a member of IJerwiok Lodge, No. 246, I. O. 
(). r. : Washington Camj), Xn. 105, P. O. S. 
of A.; and Royal Arcanum. His portrait is 
shown on a preceding page. 




IMON HUBLER, a successful physi- 
cian of Elysburg, Pa., was born July 
12, 1843. near Millheim, Center Coun- 
ty, Pa., and is a son of Jacob K. and Catherine 
(Frank) Hubler. 

The ]iaternal grandfather, (ieorgc Hubler, 
was a miller and disiiller, and married a Miss 
Kepler. They lived in Rebersburg, Pa., and 
reared four children: John; George; Jacol); 
and Maggie. The maternal grandfather, Phil- 
\[) Frank, wa.s a watchmaker who came from 



the banks of the Potomac and located in New 
Berlin, Union Count)-, where he married a 
Miss Shreffler. Mr. b'rank's grandfather was 
killed by Lidians. Of twelve daughters born 
to him four are now living, as follows: fane; 
Harriet: .\nn: and Polly C. 

Jacob K. Hul>ler, liie fatiier of our subject, 
was born in Center County, Pa., at Millheim, 
and subsequently lived in Rebersburg, Pa., la- 
ter moving to Luzerne County, Pa. He mar- 
ried Catherine Frank of New Berlin, Pa., and 
located in Huntington X'alley, living there 
thirty-five years, when he mo\'ed to Mill City, 
Wyoming County, Pa., and later to Pittston, 
Pa., where he died in i8g('), his wife following 
him one year later. Mr. Hul)ler was a pros- 
perous man and was well known throughout 
the county. For several years he conducted a 
grist-mill in connection with the manufacture 
of woolen goods. At one time he manufac- 
tured toys and owned and operated for sev- 
eral years a general store. He was a member 
of the Methodist Church. Politically he was 
an active worker in the Repulilican party. Mr. 
and Mrs. Huliler were the parents of eight 
children, namely: Elizabeth, who married M. 
Benciter, and who lived in Muhlenberg, Pa.; 
Perry, who died in 1862 in Maryland; Alfred, 
a mill-man of Xew Albany. Pa., who married 
iiarriet Sober: Simon, our subject; Charles, 
who died in 18O7; Jennie, who married Wil- 
liam Walters, a real estate dealer of ^^^est 
Pittston, Pa.; Philip iMank, a physician of 
West Pittston, Pa., who graduated from the 
University of Pennsylvania in 1877, and mar- 
ried Minnie McClusky: Jesse Robert, who is 
engaged in the Hour and planing-mill busi- 
ness in Mill City, Pa., who married Lizzie 
Keim. 

Simon Hul>ler, the subject of this biog- 
raphy, received his early education in a com- 
uKju school and later at Lowell's Academy, 



532 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Bingliamlon. X. \'. Au!4ust u, 1862, he en- 
listed ill Coiii])any I. i43r(l I'Jej,^, Pa. Vol. Inf., 
under Cajit. C. K. iluolies, tlie reg-imcnt be- 
ing coninianded hy Col. l\. L. Dana. Mr. 
Hubier's first battle was C'hancellorsville, and 
he also fought in the battle of Gettyslnirg and 
in the first two days' lighting in the battle 
of the Wilderness. ( )n May 7, 1864, he had 
the end of his left thnmb shot off and he was 
obliged to enter the hospital. After recov- 
ering from Ills wound he joined the regiment 
at Petersburg and took |)art in the three davs' 
conflict on the W'eldon Railroad, and also 
fought in the first and second battles of 
Hatch's Run. llis next move was to New 
York, whitlier he went by i;iil, ;iud guarded 
prisoners at Hart's island, remaining there 
imtil the close of the war. fie was nuistered 
out at llarrisbnrg as a lieutenant, ha\ing re- 
ceived his C(jnnnission a sluni time before. 

.After being released from his military oljli- 
gations our subject assisted his father for two 
years in the former's store, when they moved 
the establishment to New Albany, Pa. After 
one more year in the store Simon worked 
two years in his father's factory. At the end 
of th;it time he nuned to Wvoniing, Pa., 
where he conducted a saw-mill for a short 
time. Tie married, December 25, 1872, Julia 
r>ird of C'uiuiingham, Pa., a daughter of Hen- 
ry and Margaret (Davis) Bird. Mr. I'.ird was 
born at liear (iap. Pa., and (le|)arted this life 
in 1884: his wife, who was born in I'eaver, 
Pa., died in 1875. The}- were the p.irents of 
si.K children, as follows: Sarah; Jane C, de- 
ceased; Julia, the wife of our subject; Isaac, 
a commission merchant, who married Mary 
Dungau; Esther, who married Charles Brash; 
and H. A., a grain dealer at Mount Carroll, 
Pa., who married Florence Vought. 

After the summer of 1876 Dr. Hubler at- 
tended the Cni\ersitv of l'enns\l\ ;inia and 



was graduated in the .spring of 1879, locating 
first at Ilerrick, Susquehanna County, Pa., 
remaining there five years, when he moved 
to Elysburg, where he has since resided. Dr. 
Hubler has a large and lucrative practice, be- 
ing very well known in the county of his pres- 
ent residence and in the adjoining counties. 
He is honored and res])ected by all and has 
many warm friends. Politically he is an un- 
swerving Republican, and allhough he has 
never acce])ted any |)olitical office, he is a well- 
know n figure in the townshi]) |)olilics. He is 
a member of the Methodist Cluucli. Dr. Hub- 
ler has one son, Harry Clark, who was born 
January 16, 1876. He is a bright young man, 
with a s|)lendid future before him. He grad- 
uated from Dickinson College and is now at- 
tending the Dickinson Law School. 



I 



S.\.\C D. \\'EST, whose reputation as a 
surveyor, civil and mining engineer ex- 
tends throughout Central Pennsylvania, 
is one of the progressive and enterprising 
young business men of the town of Danville. 
He is a son of George \V. and Catherine A. 
(Ivase) West, and was born in Danville, Mon- 
tour County, Pa., Se])tember 25, 1865. 

Thomas West, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was of English-German descent, and 
was born in Schoharie County, N. Y., where 
he built a log house near the homestead of 
his father, and carried on farnnug for many 
years. He was a soldier of the Ive\'olution- 
ary War, and was captured and held for a 
time by the British troops. However, he 
made his escape and inmiediately thereafter 
organized a foraging conipanv of which he 
was captain and served throughout the re- 
mainder of the war, making an enviable rec- 
ord as a soldier. In 1808, or soon after, he 
and his family remo\ed to -\r.arat, Suscjue- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



sas 



lianna Countv, Pa., where \k took up a tract 
of land and resumed his occupation as a 
farmer, continuing until his death. His 
death occurred at the age of si.xty years, his 
wife sur\iving him many years and dying at 
the age of eighty. Their union resulted in 
the fc)ll(j\\ing issue: Thomas: Hannah: 
Jones; Uenjamin; \\'illiam: N'athanicl: I'er- 
mclia: and Eunice. 

\\ illiam West, our subject's grandfather, 
was born in the \icinit\- of Schnectady, Scho- 
harie County, N. V., where he followed the 
occupation of a blacksmith during his younger 
days, lie mo\ed to Sus{|uehanna County, 
Pa., witli his parents, where he cleared a farm 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
later moved to Masonxille, Delaware County, 
X. ^'., where he continued at the trade of a 
black.sniith until his death, aged seventy-five 
years. He married Eliza Rogers, whose fath- 
er, Robert Rogers, was for manv years a 
sea captain, but although he loved the water 
he gave up his sea life in order that his family 
might receive the benefits to be derived from 
living on the land. He bought a farm in 
Delaware County, and followed the life of a 
farmer for some time, but at last built a large 
boat in which he and his famil)- sailed down 
the ri\er to Chesapeake Bay, where he re- 
sided the remainder of his life. Mr. and Mrs. 
\\'cst reared two sons — George W'illiston and 
Hobert Rogers. The death of Mrs. West oc- 
curred at the age of twenty-seven years, and 
her husband formed a second .nlliance with 
Hannah Demenstoy. liy whom he had three 
sons: Milo, Filo, and Jabez. 

George Williston West, the father of our 
subject, after the death of his mother, entered 
the employ of a farmer of Ararat, Pa., wdien 
but thirteen years of age. By saving wdiat 
he could from the small compensation which 
he recei\ed for his serx'ices, he accunudated 



enough to enable him to enter Beech Woods 
.\cademy at the age of nineteen years. After 
remaining in that institution for one term, 
he attended Wyoming Academy, which had 
been established Init a very short time pre- 
vious, and there took up the study of sur- 
veying. He taught school for the following 
si.x years after leaving school in what is now 
Montour County, formerly l)eing included in 
Cohunbia County. In 1H50 he received the 
appointment as surveyor of Afontour County, 
and has continuously served in that capacity 
since. He is considered an authorit)' on 
lines and bovmdaries in this section of the 
state, his work not being confined to the lim- 
its of Montour County, as he is often called 
to dififerent counties in Northern and. Central 
Pennsylvania, lie is now past eighty years 
of age, and enjo\s the best of health, lie 
is a prominent figure throughout this section 
and is held in high esteem by ;i large circle 
of friends. He owns a residence at N'o. 212 
Pine street, where he has resided for the ])ast 
few }'ears. He has also ser\ed for twenty- 
four years as clerk for the county connuis- 
sioners. In 1854 he formed a matrimonial al- 
liance with Catherine .\. Kase, a daughter of 
John Kase of Elvsbnrg. Pa., by whom he 
had eight children: John, who died in in- 
fancy: Charles W., a carpenter and jiainter of 
l)an\ille: Eleanore Eliza, the wife of Oliver 
Deihl of Marionville, Pa.; William Kase, a 
record of whose life appears elsewhere in this 
Book of Biographies; George M., the man- 
ager of the gas and electric light plant of Dan- 
ville; Louise M., who is living at home with 
her parents; Isaac D., the subject of this 
personal history; and Catherine, who died in 
infancy. 

Isaac D. West obtained his intellectual 
training in the public schools of Dan\-ille, after 
w Inch he studied surveving and civil and min- 



534 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ing engineering with liis fatlu'r. He began 
teaching scliool in 1H84 and continued for fonr 
years. ])rior to and during which time he was 
associated in business with liis father, learning 
e\'ery detail of such i)n)fcssions, soon building 
up a fine patronage, making a specialty of 
mining engineering. He is considered an ex- 
jjcrt in that line and has done work for most 
of the ])romincnl coal companies of Central 
I*cnnsylvania. lie has also made a specialty 
of real estate and mining laws in both of 
which he has met with c(|ual success. He re- 
sides just outside of the borough of Dan\'ille's 
limits, in a very comfortable and commodi- 
ous residence. 

Mr. West was united in marriage in 1890 
to Miss M. Pauline (jroff, a daughter of the 
l^ev. J. R. Cirofif of T^oylestown, Pa., and they 
arc the happy ])arents of three children: 
Elizabeth, deceased: Karl (jrolT, and .Man He- 
witt. Socially he is a member of Danville 
Lodge, No. 224, F. i*l- .\. M. 



().\ JOSia'li (i,\.\'Si':i., who is n.iw- 
^^ lixing in practical retirement on his 
. farm just beyond the corporate lim- 
its of the borough of Muncy Valley, has long 
been a |)rominent figure in the business and 
]Militic;d circles in that section and at one time 
served as associate judge of Sullivan County. 
He was born in .\littlin tuwnshi]), Colnml)ia 
County. Pa.. January 4, 1818, and is a son 
of Gideon and Catherine (Fisher) Gansel. 

.\dam Cansel, our subject's grandfather, 
was born in Germany, where he learned the 
trade of a weaver. He came to America a 
single man and followed his trade in connec- 
tion with farming until his death at the age 
of eighty-seven years. He married Phoebe 
Bubamoyer, who lived to reach the aiKaiiced 



age of eighty-two \-ears, and they had the 
following offspring: John; Gideon; Daniel; 
Jacob; Susanna; Mary (Polly); Lydia; and 
Betsey. Mr. Gansel for many years was a 
resident of Roaring Creek township, Colum- 
bia County, Pa., where he li\'ed at the time 
of his death. 

Gideon Gansel, the father of our subject, 
was born in Roaring Creek township and at 
an early age learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker which he followed for a time, and then 
engaged in the mercantile business at Cata- 
wissa Forge. During the later years of his 
life he followed the occupation of a farmer. 
His union with Catherine Fisher resulted in 
the following issue: Phoel)e; John; Joseph; 
Ocladiah: Samuel; Peter; Jacob; David; 
Sarah; and Rebecca. Mr. Gansel died in 
1843 at the age of sixt_\-four years, and his 
w ifc passed away at an age two years younger. 

Joseph Gan.sel, the subject of this record, 
lirst attended the German schools and subse- 
tpicntly the luiglish schools, following farm- 
ing during the sunmier months until he was 
twenty-one years of age. After his marriage 
at the age of twenty-two years, he learned 
the trade of a shoemaker, but relinquished it 
to accept the ])ostmastershi]i of lleaver Val- 
lev. He was later elected constable and 
served in that capacity mitil he engaged in 
the m;uuifactnrc uf shoes at h'oundry ville, Pa., 
also clerking in a store while residing there. 
He was elected assessor of I'.riarcreek town- 
shi]i, Columbia County, and ser\ed as justice 
of the peace for a period of five years. In 
1 85 1 he moved to Dnshore. Sullivan County, 
w here he engaged in the general merchandise 
business during the following nine years, or 
until he was elected sheriff of the county in 
i860, when he located at Laporte. He served 
as sheriff for three years and three months, 
after which he b(.)ught a tract of land in Pa- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



635 



porte township which he cleared and supplied 
with new buildings. There he successfully 
followed farming for sex'eral \'ears. hul dis- 
posed of the farm to Mr. Phillip, its pres- 
ent owner, when he was elected associate 
judge. He filled that oflice in a highly satis- 
factory manner for one term and three 
months, when he moved to Aluncy X'alley 
and accepted a position as su])erintendent of 
tlie hark i)eeling business in connection with 
D. T. Stevens & Son's tannery. Four years 
later he built the Pennington Hotel, a tem- 
perance house, and conducted it with excel- 
lent judgment until 1894, establishing a good 
reputation as a landlord, lie also owned and 
conducted a stage line from Muncy Valley 
to Eagle's Mere, using four and five teams 
daily during the sunnner season to convey 
])assengers. He also hauled provisions and 
building materials. em])loying on an average 
from ten to fourteen teams. Before the 
establishment of a railroad system between 
these points the thoroughfare was extensively 
used and at all times presented a lively ap- 
pearance. He disposed of his hotel in 1894 
and purchased a house and three lots com- 
prising" six acres adjoining the borough. He 
erected his present modern home on one of 
the vacant lots and now lives practically re- 
tired. He is well known throughout the 
county and has many friends who esteem him 
highly. 

Mr. Gansel married Polly Michael, a daugh- 
ter of Adam Michael of Beaver township, Co- 
lumbia County, and they had two children: 
Catherine, who died at the age of twelve 
years; and !Mary, whose union with Mathias 
Trough has been blessed with three children, 
Charles. Joseph, and Harvey, Mrs, Gansel 
died three and one-half years after her mar- 
riage, and Mr, Gansel formed a second mari- 
tal union witli Marv .\nman, a daughter of 



John Anman, of Catawissa township, and they 
are the parents of nine children: Sarah Ma- 
tilda, the wife of John Sperry, by whom she 
has four children, Charles, William, Roy, and 
Lizzie; Clementine D,, the wife of Murray 
Henry of Philadelphia; James, a mason by 
trade, who marrietl Emma Culley; John, a 
mason of Laporte, whose wife was Annie 
Keller: Charles D,, who was a teacher, died 
at the age of twenty-two years: Carrie, the 
wife of Walter Pardo, who has four childien, 
Lee, Clarence, Lottie, and Opal; William, a 
resident of Laporte, who married Effie Swich- 
er; George L., a master of mathematics who 
lives at home; and Jessie, the wife of Samuel 
Eddy of Sonestown, Politically Mr. Gansel 
has always been an active supporter of the 
principles of the Republican party. He is a 
good s])eaker; he has served as delegate to 
the constitutional convention and has held 
man\- minor offices. Religiously our subject 
has always been a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church and has served as trustee, 
steward, superintendent of the Sunday School 
and as a class-leader. Socially he is a char- 
ter member of the Bushore and Laporte 
lodges of the Odd Fellows and is past master. 
In 1894 he was asked to serve in a very diffi- 
cult capacity for the Trust Company tan- 
neries, to estimate the amount of bark on 
11,000 acres of timberland, having as assist- 
ants in this undertaking a surveyor and an- 
other. It took from October 2d to Decem- 
ber 25th. and they covered from- eight to 
sixteen miles per day, liesides the amount of 
riding w hich the\' did. Mr. Gansel completed 
the work to the satisfaction of the company. 




ZARIAH CAMPBELL, a most re- 
spected resident of Shamokin, and a 
^member of one of the oldest families 
in Northumberland County, is a son of John 



536 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



K. and CallRTiiie (W'illiour) Campbell. He 
wa.s born June i i, 1842, at tbe family home- 
stead in the Irish X'allcy, where his grand- 
father settled when the section was wild and 
comparatively iminlialjited ccnmtry, and was 
only tra\'ersed b_\- the Shanioliokin tribe of In- 
tlians. 

The gran<lfather of our subject. Daniel 
Campbell, was a native of New Jersey in 
which stale he was born in 1775. He re- 
mo\ed to this state, makiuo- the journey from 
New Jersey by wagon-train enduring cheer- 
fully the severe experiences of the early set- 
tlers of I'ennsyK'ania who ])lunged through 
the \\(i(]ds, fought Indians and tediouslw but 
ho]5efull\', sought new and nmre iuxiting 
fields. Mr. Campbell settled on what is 
kncnvn as Shaumkiu Creek, jiurchasing a tract 
of land fur wliiih he |)aid si.\t\-two cents an 
acre and cleared a farm in the midst of the 
woods. He followed farming and also his 
trade as a wheelwright. lie subse(|uently re- 
mo\-ed to a site op])osite rrex'oi'tun, whci'c he 
cleared a farm and also worked as a wheel- 
wright, lie died in 1862. Daniel Camjjbell 
was known as an enthusiastic and intrepid 
hunter, jmrsuit of g.ame being his favorite 
pastime when he couUl relincinish his work. 
The section abounded in g;uuc and he de- 
lighted in tr.iiling the panther and bear, fac- 
ing the \icious wildcat, cornering the foxy 
wolf or entr;ip])iug the deer which were i)leu- 
tiful. 

It was on the hoiueslead op])osite Trevor- 
ton that the father of our subject, John K., 
was born. He obtained the limited education 
which was possible in the well-remembered 
"subscription school" which was then in 
vogue, consecpiently his educational resources 
were conlincd within narrow limits when he 
entered manhood and prepared to make his 
own wa\- in life. lie worked on the liome- 



stead farm unlil about thirty-one years old 
when he removed to Jefiferson County where 
he remained five years, then returning to 
Shamokin. in .\pril, 1855, where he since has 
resided, following \arious occupations, ])rin- 
cipally the building of coal-breakers in the 
nu'ning regions. Mr. Cami)l)ell was united in 
matrimony to Catherine, a daughter of 
George and Elizabeth (Miller) Wilhour, and 
to them were born seven children, our subject 
being the eldest. Of the.se the second, Eliza- 
beth, is the wife of K. P. Foulke of Shamo- 
kin; Ceorge W. was killed in 1873 while 
employed on the Pennsylvania Railroad; Will- 
iam K. is ;m engineer and resides at \'an 
Wert, ( )hio; Samuel 1>. is in the employ of 
the Pennsylvania Railroad in Shamokin and 
has been in the service of the companv for 
thirteen years; Jane is the widow of Frank 
Bickert and resides in Shamokin; and Plarriet, 
who is the wife of J. J. Gillespie of Shamokin. 

( )ur subject, .\zariah Campbell, followed 
farnu'ng on the homestead ])ractically all the 
time until .\ugust 13, 1862, when he re- 
sponded to the nine-months' call and enlisted 
in Company C, 131st Reg., Penna. Vol. Inf. 
lie re-enlisted in 1864 in Com])any C, 103d 
Reg., Penna. \'ol. Inf., and served until the 
end of the Rebellion. Our subject partici- 
[jated in many of the most inipt)rtant and 
severe battles of the war. including Antietam 
and Chancellorsville, and at the battle of 
I'rcdericksburg he marvelously escaped death 
— fniding ;ifter the ligiu ended that thirteen 
bullets had ])assed through his uuift)rm, leav- 
ing r;igged holes as reminders that he had 
been in the thickest of the scrimmage. 

On his return to Shamokin at the close of 
the war Mr. Campbell was variously employed 
until 1880 when he engaged in the huckster- 
ing business and subsequently opened a store 
which he now conducts. 1 'oliticalb' our sub- 




JESSE L. BEA\'EK. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



539 



ject is a consistent Prohibitionist and has 
served three years as a councilman and one 
year as assistant Inn-gess. Possessing- strong 
inclinations religiously, he is a valued mem- 
ber of the First IMelhodist Church. On De- 
cember 23, 1866, Mr. Campbell married .\me- 
lia E. Hoover and to them have been born 
several children, including" Amy, deceased; 
Bessie, who was the wife of J- J- ^ >wen and 
who left a son, Wilfred C: John J., deceased; 
and six others who died in their infancy. 



ESSE L. BEAVER, superintendent of 
the Thomas Beaver Free Library of 
J )an\ ille, whose portrait appears on the 
opposite page, was born in Newport, Perr\' 
County, Pa., November i, 1850, and is a son 
of Jesse and Mary Ann (Swartz) Beaver, and a 
grandson of Peter and Elizabeth (Gilbert) 
Beaver. 

Peter Beaver, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of Germany, and was the 
first of the Beaver family to locate in America, 
having settled in Lebanon County, Pa., in 
1755. Rev. Peter Beaver, Jr., the grandfather 
of our subject, was born in Franklin County, 
Pa., December 25, 1782, was ordained in 1809 
by Bishop Asbury of the Methodist Church at 
Elkton, Md.. and served in the pulpit until his 
death, which occurred in 1849. He was 
united in marriage with Elizabeth Gilbert, 
who died in 18 18. They were the parents of 
the following children: George; Samuel; Ja- 
cob; James A.; Jesse, the father of our sub- 
ject; Thomas: Peter; Sarah: Eliza; Cath- 
erine; and Mary. 

Thomas Beaver, our subject's uncle, was 
Ijorn in Pfout's \'alley. Perry County, Pa., 
Novemljer 16, 1814, and at the age of thirteen 



years began working on a farm at a salary of 
$2.50 per month; later he clerked in a store 
until 183,^, when, in ])artncrship with Peter 
Ne\-ius, he began merchandising at Lewis- 
burg, Pa. In 1835 he sold his interest in the 
store and worked for J. iK: T. Beaver of Mil- 
lerstown. Pa. In 1857 he moved to Danville 
to take charge of the Montour Iron Works, 
of which he was a large stockholder. He was 
the owner of considerable property in Dan- 
ville, including the Beaver Mansion, situated 
at the foot of Baldhead Mound, which is one 
of the most beautiful residences of Montour 
County, and is surroimdecl by a beautiful and 
well-kept lawn and shrubberies. In 1886 Mr. 
Beaver donated to the town of Danville, as a 
memorial to himself and wife, the handsome 
Liljrary and "S'. ]\f. I". .\. Inu'lding at the cor- 
ner of Market and I'Y-rry streets, where the 
old Danville Hotel was situated. It is now 
known as the Thomas Beaver Free Librar)- 
and Y. ^t. C. A., and was erected at a cost 
of $195,000, and the corner-stone was laid 
July 5, 1886. The building has fortj^-eight 
feet frontage on Market street and seventy- 
eight feet on Ferry street; it is built of Ohio 
gray-stone, with granite trimmings and 
Scotch granite columns. The first floor is 
laid with marble tiling, and on this floor are 
the ladies' and men's jjarlors and reading- 
rooms, superintendent's office and library 
proper, an open two-story room with six al- 
coves on each floor, and which is filled with 
1,300 \olumes of selected books. Miss Mollie 
Wentzel is librarian, a position she probably 
may hold as long as she chooses. On the sec- 
ond floor is the reception room, game room 
and the trustees' room: and on the third floor 
are the sewing and art rooms. The building 
is of hard-wood finish, heated throughout by 
steam heat, and lighted by gas. Mr. Beaver 
also left an endowment of $50,000 for the 



540 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



niaiiitcnancc (if tliis IiaiKlsoinc lilirary and Y. 
M. C. A. huililing'. 'J'lie ofticers are: Samuel 
A. York, president; W. RI. Gearhart, secre- 
tary; B. K. Gearhart. treasurer; Miss Mollie 
W'eutzel. lil)rarian; and Jesse L. Beaver, su- 
perintendent. Tlie trustees are: J. Svveisfort, 
William J. Baldy, W. E. Gosh, F. M. Har- 
rington, W. E. Lunger, Lewis Uodenhoper, 
Capt. Joseph Johnson, Samuel Goldsmith, 
]'"rank Dcrr, John Pesper, and W. F. McCor- 
miek. .Mr. Beaver also bequeathed $30,000 
to the Dickinson College of Danville. 

Jesse Beaver, the father of our subject, was 
born March 8, 181 1, and served an appren- 
ticeship to the printer's trade during his boy- 
liiiod (la\s, and later clerked in his father's 
store. IJc then opened a general store in 
Perry County, which he conducted until 1857, 
when he suld out and moved to Union Coun- 
ty, where he conducted a like store. In 1863 
he removed to Danville and successfully en- 
gaged in the coal business for many years, and 
then retirc<l from the active duties of life. Mr. 
P>eaver was an active politician, a shrewd bus'i- 
ness man, and was held in high esteem by his 
fellow-citizens. He owned a handsome 
double brick house on Market street, now^ the 
property of D. Bright, and resided there until 
his death, which occurred in 1891. In 1833 
lie was united in marriage with Mary Ann 
Swartz. a daughter of Dr. Christian Swartz, 
and she died in 1891, at the age of seventy-six 
years. They reared and educated the follow- 
ing children: Maggie, the wife of John Kra- 
mer; Theoilore. a prominent attorney-at-law, 
residing at Niles, Mich.; Jennie, wife of Wil- 
liam Gearhart ; Charles, a resident of Jackson- 
\-ille. Fla.; Marion, who is the wife of John 
Gaskins; Thomas, who resides at Harrisburg, 
Pa.; Clara; Jesse L., our subject; Emma, 
who wedded John Roate; and John, a promi- 
nent real estate man of Dan\ille. 



Jesse L. Bea\er. upon completing his educa- 
tion in the public schools, learned the trade of 
a tinner, w hich business he followed some sev- 
en years, and then engaged in agriculture with 
his brother Thomas. In 1886 he was appointed 
superintendent of the Thomas Beaver Free 
Library and Y. M. C. .\., which position he 
has continued to hold up to the present time. 
Me was joined in marriage with Anna Thom- 
son, a daughter of Egbert Thomson, and they 
are the i)arents of five children: J. Belle, 
Laura, Mary. Josephine, and Sarah. In po- 
litical attlliations Mr. Beaver is a stanch Re- 
publican and held the office of assessor of the 
b'irst Ward of Danville, Pa. In religious be- 
lief Mrs. IJeaxer is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church of Danville. J. Belle, the old- 
est daughter of our subject, is a member of 
the b'piscopal Church. 




REDERICK HENRY KNlGlir is 
known throughout Northumberland 
County as one who has grown up 
with Watsontown, his present home, and who 
has heeii the longest engaged in Imsiness in 
that town of any of its residents. Beginning 
to make his way in the world against odds and 
under circumstances which would have dis- 
couraged man\- with less will-power, the sub- 
ject of our sketch, by "keeping e\'erlastingl\- 
at it," has been very successful, and now is at 
the head of one of the largest business lirms 
in the county, lie comes of Revolutionary 
lighting stock. He was born in Perry Coun- 
ty, Pa., and is a son of Richard Knight and 
a grandson of Richard Knight. His grand- 
father came to this country from Germany, 
but he was of Scotch-Irish descent. He first 
.settled on Long Island, subsequently remov- 
ing to York County. I'a., wilh his family, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



541 



where he died upwards of eighty years of age. 
He was a farmer. He served in the Revo- 
lutionary War. His children were Richard, 
Cornelius and George. 

Richard Knight, father of our subject, was 
Ikmu on Long Island, N. Y., in 1768. He be- 
queathed to his family a record as a patriot, 
of wliich his descendants are rightly proud. At 
the age of eleven years he was overflowing 
with the stirring patriotism of the period and 
he did such part as a boy could assume, serv- 
ing through the War of the Revolution as a 
drummer-boy. His ser\ices were stated in 
the records tletailing the memorable struggles 
of our forefathers, and to his daughter, Mrs. 
r>. F. Gregory, was presented a handsome 
medal by the Daughters of the Revolution, 
conunemoraling the fact that she is the 
youngest daughter living at present wdiose 
father was a soldier in the Revolutionary W^ar. 
Mr. Knight forsook his trade, that of tailor, 
and engaged in business as a general merchant 
in Harrisburg, Pa. While there he did excel- 
lent service as a captain of a company of vol- 
unteers in the War of 181 2. He held a large 
contract on the Pennsylvania Canal when it 
was built, which contract was performed with 
fidelity and to the satisfaction of the state. In 
1832 Mr. Knight remoxed to Liverpool, Pa., 
where he built a hotel and also purchased a 
large farm, conducting both until his demise, 
in 1850, his iron constitution and exemplary 
habits having spanned his lifetime to four 
score years and over, he being eighty-two 
years of age at his death. The hotel stood on 
the site now occupietl by the Onus Hotel in 
Liverpool. The father of our subject thrice 
was united in marriage, first to Miss Mclrwin, 
who bore him one child, Abner, deceased. 
His second marriage was to Sarah, daughter 
of Henry Berry of Freeburg, Pa., who died 
at about the age of fort_\--six _\cars and left sur- 



viving her Frederick Henry, the subject of this 
sketch, and two daughters, Annie M., wife of 
I>. F. Gregory, and Sadie, who married F. .A.. 
Rccn, two of her children, Delilah and James, 
lieing dead. Mrs. Mar\- Rumbach was the 
third wife of Mr. Knight, the union resulting 
in no issue. 

Our subject's father died when Frederick 
was young and he, with the other children, 
was placed under the care of a guardian, who 
neglected his duties, in that he did not prop- 
erly look after the interests of the little ones. 
Realizing that he must shift for himself, Fred- 
erick took advantage of every opportunity to 
improve himself. Fndowed with good judg- 
ment and pluck, at the age of seventeen years 
he had saved suf^cient money to enable him 
to attend the Free1)urg Academy, which he 
did for one term. Then he taught school for 
two years, after which he applied his earnings 
as teacher -to paying for a special course of 
instruction at the Millersville Normal School. 
He again resumed teaching, which he aban- 
doned on the breaking out of the Rebellion 
to enlist in the Union Army, but he was re- 
jected because he was of small stature. He 
was determined, however, to serve his nation, 
and in 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 147th 
Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., as a private. He served to 
the close of the war and was promoted to cor- 
poral, sergeant and sergeant-major. At the 
end of the war Mr. Knight entered business 
on a small scale in Watsontown as a tinsmith, 
making a specialty of tin roofing. He was 
successful, and has continuously added to the 
business until he now is an extensive dealer in 
general hardware, stoves, house-furnishing 
goods, oils and paints. He has a fine resi- 
dence and his store is large. He began busi- 
ness when Watsontown scarcely was a bor- 
ough. In politics our subject is a stanch Re- 
jiublican. He has served as burgess for three 



642 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



\c;n"s aiu.l ;is a iiK'Hilicr nf the scliuul Imai'il 
anil tuwii (.-oiiiKil. I k' and liis family arc act- 
i\i.' iiu'iiiIrt- of tlic l.ullicraii Church. .Mr. 
Kuit^lU is a prnmiiicnl iiicmher of the (j. A. 
K.. a past master of llic !•". (\: .\. .M., i)ast high 
priest ill the 1\. A. M.. ami a Knii;ht Tem- 
plar. 

.Mr. Kniulu was married to .\imie, daughter 
of Sim .Sehoeli of New Berlin, Union County, 
I'a.. and to them has l)een horn a son, Harry 
S. Knight, who is a leading attorney in Sun- 
burv. I'a. 



U. r,F.\-J.\MIX FRANKLl.X e;.\RD- 
.XI^K, whose ecjual as an expert 



JB 

r-*-^ niani])ulator of the surgeon s knife 
has never been known in Columbia County, 
has been engaged in the jiracticc of medicine 
and surgcr\ in the town of litoomsburg for 
manv vears. He has also been in close touch 
with many enterprises which have not only 
proven remunerative to him, but have also 
been of material aid in the advancement of 
tile interests of the town. He received a 
good eilncation in the schools of the South, 
after which he took up the study of medicine 
under the preceptorshi]) of Dr. I'aul H. (_)t- 
le\-. a distinguished surgeon, and later grad- 

■ nated from the ^ledical College of X'irginia. 
Dr. Gardner recei\'ed an a])])ointment as 
surgeon in the Confederate Army n])on the 
breaking out of the Civil War and served 
faithfully until its close. In 1874, after the 
country had sufficiently recovered from the 
elTects of the terrible war, he was appointed 
surgeon in chief of the Alabama & Chat- 
tanooga Railroad during its construction and 
administration. He was a member of the 
North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, and 
Penns\l\ania medical societies, and of the 
American Medical .\ssociation. He gained 
greatl}- in skill while str\ing as railroad sur- 



geon, and upon coming to I'dooiiisburg later 
he soon ac(|uire<l a large practice as a i)h\si- 
cian and surgeon. 1 le is a man of wonderful 
ner\e and sU])erior indgmeiit. and his cool- 
ness in the most trving cases inspires conli- 
dence in the i)alient. He is widely known 
throughout the eastern section of the state 
and is often called to great distances to per- 
form ojieratioiis, which wDuld otherwise be 
performed in the hospitals of large cities, as 
they recpiire a thorough understanding of the 
cases and a skill which is seldom found else- 
where. He is a stockholder in many of the 
leading industries of Bloomsburg and owns 
considerable property. Our subject ])ur- 
chasetl the Hitteiibender property on I'lasl 
Main street. ui)on which he made many im- 
proxements and remodeled into a beautiful 
residence. lie owns niaiu' lenenient houses 
which he has enlargetl and remodeled and 
made other improvements. lie [(urchased 
the old Miller farm upon which he also built 
iH'w buildings and made \;ii"ious inipro\e- 
n-.ents, which ha\e made it a ])rolitab!e iiuest- 
ment. 

Dr. ( iardner w;is united in lumeneal bonds 
to Ida Melissa renningtoii. a daughter of 
Henry Pennington, and a niece of the e.\- 
gox'crnor of North Dakota. This union re- 
sulted in the following issue: Katherine 1'.. 
who lives at home; I-'rank 1'., an electrician, 
who is sujierintcndent of the People's I-'lectric 
Railroad of Xanticoke, Pa.; and Pe Roy P.. 
who is now in attendance at Nazareth llall, 
Pa. 

IIUISTIAN MOMLEY, who is a 
most respected German-.\merican cit- 
izen of Shamokin, Pa., and a prom- 
inent veteran of the Rebellion, is a son of 
Christian Momley, and was born June 4, 1S41. 
in the pro\ incial state of W'uriemberg, Cer- 





JAMES M. STAVER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



545 



many. He was educated and learneil liis trade 
as a butcher in his native country and was well 
prei)ared to follow his chosen occupation 
when lie came to the United States at the age 
of twent_\--three years, locating in New York 
City, where he remained hut a short time. 

Like thousands of his fellow Germans, the 
subject of our sketch was greatly aroused by 
the events of the Rebellion, which was then 
nearing its end, and his patriotic spirit im- 
mediately showed itself in his vohmteering for 
the service of the countr\' which he intended 
should adopt him as one of her foreign-born 
sons. He enlisted in the 28th Reg., I'a. 
\'ol. Inf., in ]S()4, >;cr\ed in Comjianv C, of 
that regiment, imd \\;is nmstered out of ser- 
N'ice in the following year. 

After lea\'ing the arm\' Mr. Miimlc\' fol- 
lowed his trade as butcher in .\shland, where 
he was associated with an uncle, also in Ma- 
hanoy City and at Mount Carmel, removing 
to Shamokin in 1868, of which town he has 
since been a resident, folUnving butchering 
continuously. His is the oldest butcher's shop 
in the town, and he has built up an extensive 
and ])rofital)le business. 

Our subject was united in the bonds of mat- 
rimony t<i Mary W'etzl, and unto them have 
been gi\en four children, three of whom are 
li\ing: .Susanna Katherine, born I'V-bruarv 
22, 1871, whii i^ the wife of Cams Winn of 
Shamokin: William Reuben, born October 
26, 1874. who married Elizabeth Rouck of 
Shamokin: and George Chri.stian, born Feb- 
ruary 26, 1876. The fourtli child, Maliala 
Wielhema. died when al)out tweh'c \ears of 
aere. 



AMES M. .ST.WER. who owns a ha'f 
interest in the cst;iblishment of V.. C. 
Caswell 6v: Comp.anw one of llloonis- 
burg's most prominent industries, and a higli- 



1} res])ected citizen of that town. \\;is born in 
Pine Creek township, Lycoming County, Pa., 
February 21, 1855, and is a .son of John and 
Mary (Nice'y) Staver. 

The father of our subject was also born 
in Pine Creek township, Lycoming Conntv, 
Pa., and upon growing to manhood mo\cd to 
Jersey Shore, Pa., where he embarked in the 
lumber business and became one of the valued 
members of the community. He was united 
in marriage with Mary Nicely, and they were 
the parents of four children, named as follows: 
Lizzie, deceased; Carrie, widow of A. J. .Sy- 
])hcr: Martin Luther, a prominent real estate 
and insurance man residing in Jersey Shore, 
I'a.: ruid James .\1.. the subject of this sketch. 
John .Staver, who still resides at his home 
ii: Jersey .Shore, is now eightv-two \ears old. 
In politics is a Prohibitionist, being greatb' 
opposed to the use of into.xicating licpiors. 

James M. Staver was reared and educated 
in Jersey Shore, Pa., his father having moved 
there while James was a mere lad: during his 
early manhood he worked on his father's farm 
and at the age of seventeen engaged as a clerk 
in the store owned by Howard & Staver, re- 
maining there until 1876. when he engaged 
in business with his father, under the firm 
name John Staver & Sons. In 1882 he re- 
mo\ed to liloomsburg and acce])ted a ]')osi- 
tion as bookkeeper and cashier for Caswell 
T^rothers & Company. In 1888 he purch.ase I 
a one-third interest in the business and later 
increased his share in the business to one-half 
interest. The Bloomsburg Woolen Manufac- 
turing Company was established in 1882 by 
E. C. Caswell and S. A. Caswell: they erected 
a three-story building, 54x124 ft., with a boil- 
ei and engine room 26x36 ft., at a cost of 
$15,000: fitted the ])lant with 14 looms and 
the latest impro\ed machinerv to manufac- 
ture fancv dress goods, the factorv ;ind m;i- 



546 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



chinery costins^ in tlie neighborhood of $30,- 
000; they use only XX fine merino wool, and 
employ some 40 hands. Upon the death of 
S. A. Caswell, E. C. Caswell bought out his 
heirs, and the business was conducted under 
the name of E. C. Caswell & Company. In 
1888 our subject was taken in as partner, and 
a dye house, 30x36 ft., added to the plant. 
The building is heated throughout by steam 
sup])lied by a 50 horse-power engine: they 
have three sets of cards and 1,260 spindles. 
At I o'clock, September 30, i8y6, a tornado 
passed over the town of Bloomsburg, com- 
pletely destroying the upper floor of the mills, 
by which the firm sustained a loss of $8,000. 
Ten days previously a hail-storm had demol- 
ished over 1,000 windows. The building was 
immediately rebuilt ami in two months busi- 
ness was again in full sway. The goods man- 
ufactured by this firm are of the finest quality 
and are shi]>pe(l direct!}- to New York City, 
where they own a large wholesale warehouse, 
and from there they are shipi)ed throughout 
the United States. ]\lr. Staver is a stock- 
holder in many other enterprises of Blooms- 
burg, and is regarded as one of the most pro- 
gressive business men of his community. 

Mr. Staver is a member of La Belle Valley 
Lodge, No, 232, F. & A. M., Jersey Shore, 
Pa.; past high priest and treasurer of Blooms- 
burg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. M.; past grand 
master and treasurer of Mt. .Moriah Counci', 
No, 10; past E. M, commander and treasurer 
of Crusade Commandery, No. 12, K. T. ; V. 
J. G. W. of the Ancient and Accepted Order 
of Scottish Rite; mendjer of Enoch Grand 
Lodge of Perfection; past E. S, P. G. master 
of Zerrubabel Council, P. of J-. i6th degree; 
G. O. of Evergreen Chapter of Rose Croi.x, 
18th degree; second Lt. Com. of Caldwell 
Con.sistory, S. P. R. S., 32nd degree; past 
junior general of Orient Conclave, No. 2; and 



member of Lu Lu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. 
of Philadelphia, Pa. Mr. Staver"s portrait is 
shown on a j)receding page. 




ARRY E. WALTON, one of the lead- 
ing and enter])rising business men of 
the borough of Berwick, is an cm- 
balmer and funeral director and is proprietor 
of one of the most attractive stores in the bor- 
ough, dealing in jjictures, picture frames, 
mouldings, furniture, etc. He was born in 
Salem township, Luzerne County, July 8, 
1865, and is a son of Morris and Caroline 
(Kline) Walton, 

Morris Walton, the father of our subject, 
was born in Luzerne Count}-, where he was 
educated and prepared for the ministry, but 
owing to poor health was obliged to sacrifice 
his plans. He then took up farming and fol- 
lowed that occupation during the remainder 
of his days. He died in .\ugust, 1870. He 
was united in ni;irriage to Caroline Kline and 
they reared a family f)f children, one of whom 
is Harr}' E., whose name heads these lines. 
.\fter her beloved husband's death Mrs. Wal- 
ton removed to l'ei-\\ick. where she has since 
resided. 

Harr\' E. \\ altdu rcnioxed to Berwick with 
liis mother ami was educated in the common 
schools, after which he learned the trade of a 
car])enter and workeil as a journeyman at 
Nanticoke, Wilkesbarre, I'a., :ind Newark, X. 
J. He then engaged in contracting in P>er- 
wick, continuing from 1891 to 1893. He then 
removed to N^ewark, N, J,, and while there at- 
tended the United States Embalming School 
at New- York City, from which he gradnate<l 
December 12, 1892. He returned to Berwick 
in the s])ring of 1893 and purchased the pic- 
ture and moulding business of W. W. Pursel. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



547 



111 iS<;5 Mr. Waltiiu ImuL^lU (ml J\linetol) 
Bros.' undertaking establishment, wliich he 
lias since conducted. He is tlioroughly ac- 
(luainted with every detail of his profession, 
and hy his honest and straightforward meth- 
ods he has won the confidence and respect of 
his fellow-citizens as well as their patronage, 
lie is a yi)ung man, very popular, and has a 
bright future before him. 

Our subject was joined in matrimonial 
bonds to Jennie Kingsburj-, a daughter of 
Daniel Kingsbury of Hardpan, Luzerne 
County, and they are the happy parents of 
five children, as follows: Fred M., born in 
]5erwick. Pa.; Eudora, born in Irvington, N. 
|. ; ( ieorge ^\'., born in Ir\'ington, N. J.; Dan- 
iel K., b(irn in Berwick; and Lena E., born in 
I'.erwick-. Religiously .Mr. \\';ilton and his 
fami!\ are members nf ihe ]""vangelical 
Church, lie is a nuMuber of W. T. Sherman 
Conimandery, No. 23, K. T.; Camp No. 105, 
P. O. S. of A.; and Berwick Lodge, No. 246, 
L O. O. F. He has served as assistant regis- 
ter and as secretary- of the school board of 
Berwick. 




D\\' ARD C. WELLS, a member of 
the firm of Creasy & Wells, is a man 
of tried ability who stands foremost 
among the leading business men of Blooms- 
burg. The planing mills conducted by him- 
self and partner and operated in connection 
with their extensive lumber yard between 
Si.xth and Seventh streets, are modern and 
up-to-date in every particular, and are une.K- 
celled in point of size and cjuality of work 
turned out, in Cokunbia County. Mr. Wells 
is a son of Theodore and Martha (Clark) 
Wells, and was born in Hughesville, Lycom- 
ing County, l\a.. September 4, 1832. 

(^ur subject is a descend.ant of a \er\' jjromi- 



nent family, lieing a great-grandson of Lem- 
uel Wells, a direct descendant of Hugh Wells, 
who settled in Hartford, Conn., in 1^136, one 
of the earliest settlers of that .state. He is 
supposed to have been a cousin of Gov. Wells. 
Lenuiel \\'ells was a sergeant in the Revolu- 
tionary War and after its close located at 
Wethersfield, where he was a very prominent 
man. his name being closely connected with 
the history of that section. 

Israel Wells, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born at \\ hatelv. Mass., June iC), 
1774. and mo\ed west with his family in June. 
1817, locating at Bloomsburg, Columbia 
County, Pa., where the residence of Dr. W. 
M. Reber now stands. He was a wheelwright 
1)}' trade and attained distinction throughout 
the state as the manufacturer of the old Dear- 
Ijorne wagons with wooden springs, which 
were at that time considered a great lu-\ur\-. 
He made large sales and did an extensive 
business for many years before his death in 
1853. On June 11, 1798, he was united in 
marriage with Dolly Smith, a daughter of 
Gad and Irene Smith, and they became tlie 
parents of five children: Sedwick; Theodore; 
Israel; Clarissa; and Mosely D. 

Theodore Wells, our subject's father, was 
born in Whately, Mass., in 1804, and early 
in life engaged in the mercantile business at 
Hughesville, Lycoming County, Pa., where 
he remained until 1832, when he located at 
Catawissa. There he successfully pursued the 
same line of business and in addition, with 
others, he entered into a contract for the 
construction of a Ijridge and one mile of track 
on either side, near the village of IMainvilie, 
Pa., for the Catawissa Railroad. In 1842 he 
moved to Muncy, Lycoming County, where 
he embarked in the hotel business, opening 
what is now known as the City Hotel, a 
large brick structure. This he conducted un- 



548 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



til liis (k'utli ill iSfii. In iSjH My. Wells 
formed a niatriinonial alliance with Martha 
Clark, a daughter of Jolin Clark of Catawissa; 
slie was horn in 1808. and was called to her 
final rest in 1880. This union was blessed 
by the following of¥spring: Edward C, our 
subject; Mary; John; Rufus; Israel: Joseph; 
Jane; and Blanche. 

lulward C. AV'ells at an early age took up 
the business at which his father had made a 
success, and in 1855 opened a mercantile 
store at Muncy. T.ycoming County, wiiich 
he conducted until iSfii, when he sold out 
and acce])ted the api)ointment of sutler witli 
the iith Pennsylvania Reser\es. He was lo- 
cated at Washington, 1). C, and continued 
in that capacity for a period of eighteen 
months. After the evacuation of I'ctershurg, 
\ a., lie accei)led a similar appointment, piu"- 
\-eyor to (len. .\lcK lexer's heachpiarters at 
I'cter.sburg, and served until September, 1865, 
He then engaged as general traveling agent 
for the Oil Creek RailroatI, running from 
Corry to Oil City, fur the following seven 
years. He then moved to Kloomsburg and 
accepted tlie jiosition of steward and superin- 
tendent of the Hloomsburg State Normal 
School, continuing as such for about eleven 
\ears in a faithfid and efticient manner. In 
1885 the firm of Creasy i*<; Wells was formed, 
his partner being Sanuiel C. Creasy, Esq., a 
record of whose life a])pears elsewhere in this 
Book of Biographies. The latter established 
the lumber business in J883 on a very small 
scale, but under successful management it 
prospered and increased in size, and at the 
present time has assumed vast proportions. 
They have a large lumber yard between Sixth 
and Seventh streets, all of which is under 
cover. They purchased hundreds of acres of 
timberland and run a number of stationary 
and portable saw-mills, furnishing all of their 



own lumber. Their ])laniiig mills are models 
of completeness. They make sashes, blinds, 
doors, screens, etc., em])loying a large force 
of men the year around, all being skilled 
workmen. They are men of energy and push 
and it is due to their own abilities that their 
success has been such as it has. Our subject 
in recent years built a beautiful home on 
h'iftii street: it is supplied with all modern con- 
veniences, finely furnished, and is one of the 
best in the borough. 

Mr. Wells was joined in weillock with Eliza- 
beth lirunner, a daughter of Isaac I'lriin- 
ner, who ser\'ed in the state militia and was 
also a member of the Legislature, and this 
union has been blessed with four children, 
namely: Jennie W., the wife of S. B. Hen- 
derson, a lumber merchant; ( ). Bruce, de- 
ceased; May, the wife of S. C. Creas\-, who 
is in business with our subject: and Joseph 
G., who looks after his father's business in- 
terests and who married Lottie Kuhn. Mrs. 
\\'ells died in 1897, ^.ii^ed sixty-eight years. 
Politically Mr. Wells is a Republican, whilst 
in social circles he is a member of the Masonic 
order at Muncy; P.loomslnn-g Cluqjter; and 
also Hloomsburji' Connnander\. 




\KriX E. PI'RC1':EL is a son of 
Patrick :ind Mary (Purcell) Purcell, 
;iiid was burn in 1S38 ;it Heck- 
schcrville, Schuylkill County, Pa. His father, 
Patrick Purcell, was a native of Ireland who 
innnigrated to .\merica about 1840, locating 
in the anthracite coal regions in Schuy'.kill 
County, Pa., where he followed mining the 
rest of his life. 

Martin I",. Purcell, our subject, was edu- 
cated in the common schools of Cass town- 
ship, and between the ages of eleven and 
twelve years went into the breaker as a 




UK. IKANLLS 1. MKEK. 




UR. J. FLORIAN MEEK. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



picker of slate, remaining; in and around there 
for about seven \'ears. He llien went into 
the Oalv Dale shaft at (ilen Carbon, Pa., as 
a laborer, and afterwards did rock work in 
the turrets at the same place, continuing un- 
til 1872. He then moved to the Thomas- 
ton Colliery in Schuylkill County, Pa., and 
followed mining for seven years, working 
some of the time as a miner and the rest of 
the time as a fire-boss, holding the latter po- 
sition from AjM'il, 1883, until January 6, 1888, 
when he went to P)ear \'alley Colliery and 
accepted the position of inside-foreman, which 
position he still holds. 

Mr. Purcell married Mary Shore, a daugh- 
ter of Michael Shore, and they are the parents 
of five children, as follows: Patrick; Robert; 
Marv: Julia; and hd'a. 



irXR- FRANCIS J. MEEK is a .son of 
1 7— J Martin and Agnes (Duszynski) Meek 
(--^xm^ and was born September 27. 1868, in 
the ProN'ince of Posen. Prussian Poland. He 
immigrated to this countrx- with his parents at 
the age of six vears, his parents coming direct 
to .Shaniokin, and the bo\' entered the puldic 
schools, working aronnd the l)reakers during 
the summer months. .\t the age of fifteen 
years Francis had com])'.eted his j^rimary edu- 
cation in the ])ublic schools in <'uid about .Sha- 
niokin. and with prix'ate instruction, afler 
which he found emplovment as an a|)pren- 
tice in a drug store at Mount Carmel. Two 
years later he successfully passed the exam- 
ination of the pharmaceutical state board of 
examiners and was (pialified to act as a drug- 
gist's assistant. 

In 1888 our subject entered the Jefferson 
Medical College at Phi'adelphia, but the fol- 
lowing term found him with a depleted bank 



account, so that he was compelled to return 
to the drug Ijusiuess in order to earn sutifi- 
cient funds to allow him to c(nn])lete his med- 
ical course, the next term. He was graduat- 
ed from Jefferson Medical College in May, 
1892. after ha\'ing taken a full course in gen- 
eral medicine and surgery. Dr. Meek then 
returned to Shamokin and inmiediately began 
the practice of his chosen professitju. He was 
successful to a marked degree in l)uilding 
up a large practice an<l in 1896 look into 
partnership his l)rother. Dr. J. Florian Meek. 
who had just comjileted his medical course 
and received his diplom;i: their business has 
continued to prosper and they now enjoy a 
practice second to none in the borough. 

Dr. Francis J. Meek is an honored member 
of the Northumberland Count}' Medical So- 
ciety. His practice consumes his time so com- 
pletely that he often is obliged to further pur- 
sue his studies at night in order to keep pace 
with modern medical science. He is a pleasant 
gentleman and has man\- friends who appre- 
ciate his zeal and i)rogressi\eness. 

Martin Meek, our subject's father, w;is unit- 
ed in the holy bonds of wedlock with Agnes 
Duszynski and their family consisted of six 
children, four of whom .are still li\ing, as fol- 
lows: Francis J., subject of this sketch; J. 
Florian, a l)rief sketch of whom is herein 
given; Stanlew who is tiow a soldier in the 
U. S. volunteer .army in Cuba. ser\ing in 
Company h", uth Reg., P:i. \'ol. inf.. and 
after his time has ex])ired and he has been 
honorably discharged from this serxice. it is 
his firm intention to join the regular army of 
the United States; ami .\nna. a charming ;in 1 
accomplished yoimg lad)-. 

Dr. J. h'lorian Meek, brother of our subject, 
was born January 24, 1875, in Shamokin, Coal 
townshij). P;i. .\t the age of eleven years he 
began to pick slate in the breakers, and ;it 



552 



BOOK OF BIOGRAl'IIIKS. 



the age of fourteen bet^an to work in the 
mines. He contimn'il tn work in tlu' mines 
in summer ami to attend scliool in winter 
until 1892; thus liis early edneation was oh- 
tainecl in the ])ul)lic schools in and al^out 
Shamnkin; suhse([uently lie entered the Sha- 
mcjkin Business College, graduating in 1892. 
Soon after completing this business course he 
entered a preparatory school in I'hiladelphia, 
and in 1893 enrullrd himself as a student at 
Jefferson Medical College, where he took a 
course of lectm"es. He com|)leted his medi- 
cal education at the I'.altimore Medical Col- 
lege, graduating therefrom in i8i)0, and at 
once returned to Shamokin, where he suc- 
cessfully passed the state board examination, 
and became associated with his brother in the 
practice of his profession. 

The ]iublishers of this volume lake |)leasure 
in aimouncing that on |ireceiling ]>ages, in 
connection with the al)o\e life account, ex- 
cellent portraits of l)rs. f'rancis J. ;md J- 
Florian Meek are shown. 



ISAAC MOWREY, one of the successful 
and enterprising farmers of Columbia 
Coun.ty, residing in the section of Mon- 
tour township, known as Dutch \'alley, where 
he owns a tract of fifty-si.K acres of as fertile 
land as the county affords, is a son of John and 
Catherine (W'ireman) Mowrew and was born 
near Danville, AlotUour County, I'a., March 
]/, 1832. 

The paternal great-grandf;ithei- of our su]> 
ject was a native of Germany and came to 
America almost a century and ;i h;df ago, lo- 
cating in Eastern Pennsylvania, ])robably in 
Montgomery Coimt}'. His son, Peter Mow- 
re)-, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
farmer in Montgomery County for many 
years, but during his l;itter days was engaged 



in tilling the soil near Seneca Lake, N. Y. He 
was the father of the following children: Vc- 
ter; John; J;icob; Joseph; Isaac; Chris- 
tianna; and Ivlizabeth. They all remained in 
the state of Pennsylvania excejiting Isaac, 
who moved to Michigan, and Joseph, who 
went to lb-own County, Ohio. 

John Mowrey, our subject's father, was 
horn in Montgomery County and removed to 
wh.-it is now Montour County, then Northum- 
berl.-md, ;d)out iSjo. He learned the trade of 
a stonemason, but after moving to Montour 
County he purchased a farm one mile east of 
Danville, which was but partially improved. 
He built a stone and a brick house, which are 
still standing on the property. He was also 
engaged in nn'ning ore to a considerable ex- 
tent on his own farm ,-nid became a very [)ros- 
perous man for those limes. In religious be- 
lief he was a member of the Reformed Church. 
He was joined in wedlock to Catherine Wire- 
man, a daughter of Jacob ^^'ireman of Mont- 
gomery County, and they became the parents 
of nine sons and four daughters, a record of 
whom is as follows: Jonas, Charles, Mary, 
W'illi.nu, Henry, and Peter, all deceased; Ja- 
col), a resilient of Michigan; Isaac, the sub- 
ject of this personal history; John, w-ho lives 
in Xoi-thumberl;uid County; Elizabeth, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Dr. B. F. Shullz; 
Michael .S., of Michigan; Sarah, the wife of 
( )tis l\n,-ii)p of Montour County; ,-uid C;uher- 
ine, the wife of Michael Ib-eckbill, an cx-sher- 
ilT of Montom- County. 

Isaac Mowrey was reared on the f.u-m and 
educated in the ])ul)lic schools of his nali\e 
town. As his ancestors were all members of 
the agrictdtural class it was but natiu-al that 
he should .-dso chose farming as his life occu- 
])ation. Me was engaged in farming until 
1851, wlu'U he beg;ui working in iron ore 
mines in the \icinitv, conliiming until 1854, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



55.3 



a period (if tliree years. He then moved to 
Cdlinnliia C"(iunt\- ami purcliased his present 
excellent farm, about a quarter of a mile dis- 
tant from Grovania, which he has since been 
engaged in cultivating. He is a very indus- 
trious man, of careful habits, and during his 
active life has accumulated considerable prop- 
er! \-. He also owns another farm consisting 
of lO! acres of good land in Dutch Valley. 

In 1854 Mr. Mowrey chose as his life-com- 
panion Eleanore Yost, a daughter of the late 
John G. Yost of Bloomsburg, by whom he had 
torn- children: George, a farmer of Montour 
township, who married Elizal)eth Lazarus and 
has four children, Guy A., Ursa M., Dora S., 
Ruth E.; Olevia, who died at an early age; 
Mary Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of 
D. E. Heljerling, by whom she had three chil- 
dren, namely, — Elanora, Bertha May, and 
Pearl E.; and Lloyd Franklin, a ticket agent 
for the Lehigh A'alley Railroad at Wilkes- 
liarre, who married Hattie R. Bidleman, and 
has had two children, R. Blair, deceased, and 
i-I()\(l Glenn. 



i^aI'ILR WENDLL\G, outside-foreman 

of the Bear Valley Colliery, is a son 

^ of Adam and Phoebe (Wentz) Wend- 



ling, and was born [anuarv 



iSfiT, near 



Patterson, Schuylkill Count\', Pa. 

The grandfather on the maternal side was 
I^eter Wentz. a nati\e of (iermanx', who ne\er 
came to America. The father of our subject, 
Adam W'endling. was a coal miner, and a 
resident of Schuylkill County, Pa. To him 
and his wife were born ten children as fol- 
lows: I\Iary, Ennna, Louisa, Rose. Kate, 
Phoebe, Sarah, i\dam, Peter the subject of 
this sketch, .and George. 

Peter Wendling, the subject of this sketch, 
was educated in the common schools, and 
began work in the factor^• at Manavunk at 



the age of thirteen years and continued for 
two years when he went to Shenandoah. 
There he entered the breaker, picking slate 
and, alternately, working in various stores for 
about eight years. At the end of that time 
he took up outside work around the collieries 
near Shenandoah, remaining there until |unc 
I, 1896. Prior to moving to Bear Valley 
Colliery, he was foreman at Schuylkill Col- 
liery, Mahanoy City, Pa. 

On October 15, 1891. our subject married 
Elizabeth Frost, and their union has been 
blessed with two children: Thomas .\clson 
and Phoebe Elizabeth. Mr. Wcmlling is 
well known in Northumberland County and 
has many warm friends. He is a member 
of Council No. 367, Jr. O. U. .\. M., of Shen- 
andoah, Pa. 




E\'. THO.ALVS MISICKI, D. D., was 
born in Przeworsk, Galicia, Austria, 
^ v,_^ December 31, 1866. He attended 
the schcjols of his native city and when ten 
years of age further continued his education at 
Cracow, where he attended high school for a 
period of eight years, studying the Latin, 
Greek, German, French and Polish languages, 
together with mathematics, geography, his- 
tory and the physics; after graduating there- 
from he entered the Catholic Seminary, where 
he began the study of theology. PTe com- 
pleted his education and prcjiaration for the 
priesthood by a four gears' course at the Ja- 
gellonic Austrian Lhiiversity, and was or- 
dained a priest by the late Cardinal Alliin 
Dunajewski. Prime Bishop of Cracow, ALiy 
19, 1889, after which he visited Germany, 
France and Spain. During his extensive trav- 
els through these countries he prepared his 
doctorate of theology, and the degree of D. D. 
was conferred upon him February i, 1892, 
which degree in Austria is given only to can- 



554 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



(lidates passing four rigorous examinations 
showing proficiency not only in tlicolog}-, his- 
tor\- of the cliurch and common law, but also 
a tliorougii knowledge of the four Eastern lan- 
guages, viz: llehrew, S\riac, Chaldaic and 
Arabic, as well as all i'.ible sciences. With the 
permission of the Austrian L'niversity, after 
four years of stutly in Latin and Greek, on 
August 30, 189J, he was made eligible as a 
teacher of llicse languages in Austria. 

In i(S93 our subject came to the United 
States and first located in Winona, Minn., 
where he was connected w itli the clergy of the 
St. Stanislaus Church for a brief period. His 
next pastorate was in Kerea, Ohio, where he 
was appointed rector of St. Adalbert's Church 
in the Diocese of Cleveland, .and, after a term 
of ser\ice there, he went to Meriden, Conn., 
as pastor of the Tolisb church, and while there 
enjoved the distinction of being the only I'o- 
lish priest in the state. A few months later 
he was transferred to Mount Carmel, where, 
under Bishop Thomas McCovcrn of Harris- 
burg (now deceased) he had supervision of 
one of the largest parishes in the state. He 
remained there until bA'bruary 13. 1897, when 
he was transferred by the Bishop to the pastor- 
ate of St. Stanislaus Kostki's Church at Sha- 
niokin. 

A brief history of the church is here ap- 
l)en<led. The i'oles beg.an to settle in and 
around Shamokin about the year 1834. but 
ihev worshiped with the members of St. Ed- 
ward's Parish inUil the niend)crs of St. Stanis- 
laus Kf)slki's r.eneficial Society organized 
what has since grown into this big and grow- 
ing congregation. l\e\-. JMuanuel Coch, the 
first Polish ])riest sent to Shamokin, soon 
erected a small fnnne church at Race and 
Cherrv streets, where the sul)stantial rectory 
now stands. Rev. losepb Juszkicwicz was his 
successor, ;ni<l in 1S74 he i)roke ground for 



the construction of the present brick edifice. 

There was a consideralde number of Lithua- 
nians here at that time and they joined with 
the Poles in founding the parish, but it re 
(juired several years before sufficient fimds 
could be raiseil for the completion of the edi- 
fice. Tlie I'oles and Lithuani:ms have since 
worked together liarmouiously, just as their 
ancestors bad done before coming to America. 
Bishop Shanahan dedicatc<l the new church 
on December 8, 1881, but Rev. I'lorian Klo- 
nowski had been sent there on July 13, i87r). 
Soon after the completion of the church a 
parochial school was built; this has been 
changed into the rectory: :md a comfortable 
home was also prei)ared for the Sisters of the 
Order of St. I'rancis. In 1893 a handsome 
three-story brick structure was added to llu- 
l^arish and is de\-oled entirely to educ;ition;d 
]>urposes, and contains about 450 pu|)ils, 
taught by se\en sisters and ;i layman. The 
church meiubershi]) includes about 2,800 
souls in 650 families. Since blather Misicki 
took charge of this jjarish he has lifted $3,500 
of the church del it and added to the inside ap- 
jiearance of the church by remodeling and re- 
decorating. The decorator having charge of 
the work is Francis Baraldi of I 'hiladelphi;i, 
one of the most famous decorators in Pennsyl- 
v.mia. The windows are from Munich, Ba- 
\aria, .and cost $.^.^5 each, .and are works oi 
r;ire .artistic merit, leather .Misicki is .assisted 
in bis labors bv Rev. Francis Wengrzynowski. 




OSl'.IMl P.. QUIRK, the genial suiw- 
intcndent of the Prudential Life Insur- 
ance Company for the Shamokin dis- 
trict, was born at Pottsville, Schuylkill Coun- 
tv, P.a.. June 4, i8r)7. and is a son of Thomas 
and .\licia (Mcl'.arren) (}nirk. Thomas Quirk 
was a native of Pottsville, the county-seat of 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



bhb 



Sclitnlkill r<iniit\. ami ilic'il wIkmi mw ^.u!)jL'CL 
was very nouhl;. 

Our sul)jcct iX'L'L'i\cil liis (.'ilucaliiMi in llir 
scliools of P()tts\ille and I'rack\ilk': aiul, al- 
lluun;Ii tlicse i)lac(.'s could not iIr-u l)oast of 
lia\iu|4 such s^dod scliools as at tlie present 
day. .Mr, (Juirk. l)y diligence and persever- 
ance, made the most of his opportunities and 
tlius secured a thorougli education, and so far 
has tliorougiily demonstrated that lie can 
make practical use of liis scliooling, 

.\fter lea\ing school, at the age of eighteen, 
our suhject hegan his career in life as a book 
agent, which occupation he followed for two 
}ears, discontinuing it then to engage with 
the I'rndential Life insurance Company, 
which lie still represents, Mr, (Juirk was sta- 
tioned for one year at Tania(|ua.a city of about 
fj.ooo inhabitants, lie ])ro\ed himself to be 
such a successful solicitor that he was pro- 
moted 1)\' the conipauN' to the position of as- 
sistant su])erinten(ient. and on June 27, 1892, 
he was transferred to Shaniokin, where he 
ceased to do actual soliciting and assumed tlie 
more important duty of ]iutting out new 
agents, instructing them and keeping them 
at work. From time lo time, as he learned 
new things about the business, more impor- 
tant work was entrusted to liim by the com- 
pany. For four years he continued to be as- 
sistant at Shaniokin, Step by step Mr. Quirk 
succeeded in mastering all the particular 
features and methods of the business, and, be- 
ing an apt reader of human nature, he put into 
execution many plans of his own for securing" 
and retaining new solicitors; so well pleased 
was the companx' with his ability to organize 
that he was still further ])romoted anti made 
superintendent of the Shaniokin district May 
II, 1896. which jjosition he still retains. He 
now has under his supervision, besides Sha- 
niokin, the minor districts of Mount Carmel, 



.Sinibury. Milton. TX'inxille and liloomsburg. 
.\t each of these towns he has an as- 
sistant superintendent with a staff of men; the 
latter do the actu;d soliciting and collecting 
anil luni o\er the money thus obtained to 
llieir superior, the assistant superintendent in 
charge of their town, who in turn reports to 
.\lr. (juirk, his >uperior. In this manner all 
the business transacted in the district has to 
pass through Mr, Ouirk's hands, and he alone 
is responsible for the success of the business. 

L'nder Mr, (Juirk's efficient management 
the business in his district has increased so 
ra])idly that he now has a force of seven as- 
sistant superintendents ;nid lhirt\-(hree field 
men. with a line prospect for still greater in- 
crease in force, 

111 .\])ril. i(S<;o, our subject w.as united in 
marriage with luiinia l^\eland. a most charm- 
ing lady; their home has been- made hapi)y 
by the presence of four beautiful children, 
three sons and one daughter, namely: James, 
Ethel, Norman, and llarrv. 

Our subject is an earnest J^epublican, of 
firm views, and does much to further the in- 
terests of his party. Mr, Ouirk can trni)' be 
called a self-made man, working his wax- from 
a common book agent, going from house to 
house to his present jiosition, where he is li\- 
ing ill aftluent circumstances. Flis manner of 
ilischarging his duties refiects credit on his 
ability and is a source of pride and gratifi- 
cation to his eni])loyers, Mr, Ouirk is a pleas- 
ant gentleman and is respected and admired 
b_\- all who ha\e the gooil fortune to know 
him. 



URTON B. SMITH, a prominent 
hardware dealer, who is the junior 
member of Boughner, Goodwill & 
Company, in Shaniokin. Coal township, was 




556 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



horn Fel)ru;irv _'i. 1X57, in Pottsville, Schuyl- 
kill County, Pa., and is a son of William C. 
aufl Diana (Cake) Smith, and a grandson of 
Samuel Smith of Thiladelphia. He receive<l 
a good practical education in the pnl)lic 
schools of Shamokin, after which he was ap- 
prenticed and learned the printer's trade, and 
was the "devil" in the Shamokin Herald otTice. 
He continued to work for the Herald as a 
printer for a ])eriod of about seven years, and 
for two years was an equal partner with D. L. 
SoUenbcrger in the Shamokin Times. He 
then entered the employ of his father, where 
he remained for two years, and in 1884 en- 
gaged in the hardware business, his present 
occu])ation. from which he is reaping a neat 
C(inipetency. 

William C. Smith, father of our subject, 
was a man of prominence and possessed in a 
\ cry large degree the esteem and respect of all 
who knew him. I Ic was !)i)rn in riiiladelphia, 
November ], jHjd, and attended the public 
schools of that city until he reached the age of 
eighteen years. Early in life he learned the 
trade of a machinist and entered the employ 
of lleywood & Snyder at Pottsville, remain- 
ing with them many vears. I le withdrew from 
liicir emplo\' and establisltetl a business of his 
own in the same line in the same city, which 
lie canied on successfully until the close of the 
l\ei)ellion, in iX(i3. when he sold out. He 
,subsequenlly accei>ted the sniierinlendency of 
Iwii collieries at Locust Clap, being employed 
by the .Mammoth \'ein Coal Company. These 
collieries are still in operation. He remained 
with that com])any four years, when coal oper- 
ating engaged his attention, and his next en- 
terprise was a partnership with his son-in-law, 
Jacob R. Keiser, at Lancaster Colliery, near 
Shamokin. They operated the colliery with 
much success until ATay. 1893, when they sold 
out to the Shipman Coal Company, realizing 



a neat ])rofit on their investment. At this 
juncture Mr. Smith retired from active busi- 
ness pursuits. A number of }ears prior to his 
death he was a director of the First National 
Rank of Shamokin. i le married Diana Cake, 
who was born at Pottsville, August 7, 1824, 
and lived until January 22, 1897, surviving 
her husband, who died November 21, 1895. 
They were the progenitors of a family of five 
children, who were: Francis PL, who resides 
at Pottsville, and carries on a truck business; 
Emma E., now deceased, who was the wife of 
Jacob R. Keiser; Ralph IL. who died near 
Reading, I'a.; \\'arren IM., who died in 1890 
in Australia, and was an engineer in the em- 
ploy of the English government. 

( )nr subject was united in marriage with 
Lillian Ex-ert, daughter of Daniel Evert of 
Shamokin. This hai)])y event was consum- 
mated December 2J, 1886, and their home is 
blessed with the presence of five children: 
Charles C; William C; Edwin F.; Martha 
E. ; and Harold H. Mr. Smith is a member 
of Shamokin Lodge No. 255, F. & A. AL, and 
his presence is highly appreciated at the meet- 
ings of the lodge. 




( )SEPH SI I AR I'LJ'.SS, an honore.l and 
highly respected citizen of the town t)f 
liloomsbnrg. was for many years ])ro- 
prictor of a foundr\ on (. enter street and a 
leading business man, lieing one of the sub- 
stantial citizens who made the town what it 
is to-day. Shrewd and energetic in his busi- 
ness affairs, he accnnuilaletl a handsome com- 
petencN which enabled him to retire in 1879 
and spend the declining years of his life in 
the peace and quiet of i)rivate life. He is 
a son of Benjamin and Hannah (Bonsall) 
Sharpless, and was born at Catawissa, Colum- 
bia County, December 6, 1808. 

( )ur subject is descended from John Sharp- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



657 



less, a iiatix'C of iMij^laml. \\Iii> came to 
America at about tlie same lime as William 
Penn, and located in Chester County, Pa. 
There the family lived for many years, Ben- 
jamin Sharpless, the father of our subject, be- 
iny the first to settle in this district. He was 
l)orn August 7, 1764, and after reaching man's 
estate he learned the trade of miller. In 1795 
he crossed the mountains and located in Sun- 
bury, Northumberland Countw where he 
operated a mill for two vears in partnership 
with Robert Coburn, but later was associated 
with Enos Sharpless. He also was employed 
as a teacher in the schools for some time. In 
1805 he disposed of liis lousiness and moved 
to Catawissa where he iiinxdiased a farm ad- 
joining the village, which is now laid out in 
town lots, and carried on agricultural pur- 
suits. Four years later he purchased a grist- 
mill and conducted it with much success until 
1812 when he built a paper mill in company 
with John Clark on the site of the present 
paper mill and nianufactiuxd paper b}' hand, 
making it of rags as pulp paper was at that 
time unknown. He lived a long and useful 
life and jiassed to his final rest May 28, 1857. 
He owned a fine home in Catawissa which 
was erected by him in 1835.. In Philadelphia 
in 1782 he was unitetl in marriage to Hannah 
[•onsall, a daughter of Edward Bonsall, and 
the following children blessed their union; 
Alai'y Ann, who married a Dr. Wadsworth; 
Eliza, who died at the advanced age of ninety- 
four years; Edward; William; Joseph, the sub- 
ject of this biographical sketch; Bonsall, who 
died in infancy; John; Plarriet, the wife of 
George Reifsnyder; Sarah, the wife of Louis 
^'etter; and Kersey J. Mr. and ]\Irs. Sharp- 
less were faithful members of the Society of 
Frienrls and liberally contributed to its sup- 
port. 

Joseidi Sharpless, our suljjcct, assisted his 



father in the jxaper factorv until he attained 
his majority, when, in 1841, he went to Roar- 
ing Creek and engaged in the general mer- 
chandise business for fi\e years. His next 
))usiness venture was at Berwick, Columbia 
County, where he conducted a founchy for 
two and one-half years. Pie then became in- 
terested in the manufacture of charcoal and 
l)ig iron at Foundryxille, at which lie con- 
tinued imtil 1849. He then moved to Blooms- 
burg and purchased the Morse foundry on 
Center street, where Mr. Rollin's house now 
stands, and there operated the Sharpless 
Foundry for thirty years. He was extensive- 
ly engaged in the n!anuf;ictnre of stoves, coal- 
breakers, and other articles in that line and 
b}' tlie use of good judgment in his manage- 
ment met with almost unbounded success. 
His rise to a place of prominence in the af- 
fairs of the town was due entirelv to his own 
efforts, as he began life without cajiital and 
ste]) by step worked his way to the front rank 
The career of this wortliv gentleman is an 
excellent example of thrift and industr\- and 
the results thereof, and is well worthy of imi- 
tation by the coming generation. Since re- 
tiring from his foundry business in 1879 he 
has not been actively identifie<l with any busi- 
ness althougli he is indirectl}' interested in 
several enterprises. Characteristic of the fam- 
ily, he lias reached an advanced age and ap- 
pears to be many years younger than the rec- 
ord shows. He is still active and light upon 
his feet, making from one to three trips to 
the postoffice every day regardless of the in- 
clemency of the weather. His is a w ell know n 
figure upon the streets of Bloomsburg and 
heartily enjoys paying his friends a visit at 
their places of business. He is a man who 
holds the esteem and respect of all for his 
nianv noble traits of character. He resides 
in a line home on Main street which he erected 



5:.x 



r.OOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



in 1854. ami also owns considerable real es- 
tate in the borough, having erected many 
handsome residences. 

On iH'brnarx- 4. 1836, Mr. Sharpless .was 
joined in a marital union to Mary Ellen Fos- 
ter, who was born July /, 1817, and is a daugh- 
ter of lohn v. and J-'-leanor ( Hallingshcad) 
]'"oster. She has been a faithful and loving 
wife and mother, and a true help-meet to her 
hnsljand in every sense of the word, adding 
materially to- his success in business. She is 
enjoying the best of health and lives in the 
midst of a large circle of old friends by whom 
she is dearly loved for her true womanly char- 
acter, 'i'liis bapiiy uniini has resulted in the 
birth of nine children, namely: Harriet R., 
born h'ebrnary -'3, 1837. resides at home, 
adding to the comfort of her aged jiarents 
in their declining years. Tdoyd T., a grocer 
by occui)ation, was born March 18. 1839, 
and married M attic Wagouscller. I'.enjamin 
F., born Mav _>_'. 1841. was twenty years of 
age when he enlisted in Company .\, ()th Reg. 
Fa. Reserves, in the Civil War, and contin- 
ued in the service until nuistcred out in June, 
iS()4. lie then learned the trade of a moul- 
der and in 18(18 became a i)artner in the firm, 
Sharpless & llarman, proprietors of the Eagle 
Iron Works, and later succeeded to the own- 
crshii) of his father's establi.shment at Blooms- 
burg, which he operated with good results 
until 1893, when he remodeled the building, 
which is located on the corner of Center and 
Sixth streets, and fitted it up for stores and 
dwellings. He now occupies a portion of it 
with a well stocked shoe store which is prov- 
ing a very remunerative business. He was 
united in matrimonial bonds to Sophia Hart- 
man, a daughter of Charles Hartman, by 
whom he has had six children, namely: Jos- 
eph L., a clerk, Charles H., a grocer. 1-Jay V.. 
Arthur, and two who died in infancy. He is 



also president of the Bloom.sburg Land and 
Improvement Comjiany and is one of the 
good substantial citizens of the town. Loretta 
A., born January 4, 1843, is the wife of Jeffer- 
son Vanderslice: Clara, born I\^ovember i_', 
1844, died .\pril 4, 1S49. Elizabeth, born Sep- 
tember 7. 1846, married Wesley Eyer. Ara- 
minta E.. born November -'4, 1848, married 
Jasper \\'ilson. Mary Ellen, born October 16, 
1852, died September 9, 1853. Harry F., 
born October 4, 1863, is an extensive real es- 
tate dealer of Pueblo, Col. 

Politically Mr. Sharpless is an unswerving 
Republican and has fre(|uently served as coun- 
cilman and school director. He and his be- 
loved wife are liberal sui)i)orters of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, of which they have 
been attendants for many years. 



W- 



A.M ELLIS STARR has fol- 
(1 the milling business ever 
since starting out in active business 
life, and is the lessee of the oldest mill in Sulli- 
van County, Pa., the Lewis mill. He manu- 
factures a high grade of buckwheat Hour and 
wheat-flour, also does a large amount of cus- 
tom milling. He is a native of Lycoming 
County, Pa., and is a son of Anthony and 
Hannah (Berger) Starr. 

Our subject was intellectually trained in the 
schools of his native township and early in life 
learned the trade of a miller, which he has 
since pursued. In 1873 he located in Hills- 
grove townshi]), Sullivan County, and leased 
the old Lewis luill on Loyalsock Creek; the 
mill was erected by Charles Snell, our sub- 
ject's ancestor. Mr. Starr has placed a new 
foundation under the mill and added another 
story; it has three sets of stones used for 
grinding. Our subject does all kinds of cus- 
u.m work and his Hour always commands a 




JOHN WATSON BUCK. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



561 



good price on the markets, which tends to 
demonstrate its higl: grade. Mr. Starr has 
made many friends and cnstomers by his strict 
attention to business and honest dealings and 
is performing all the duties of a good citizen. 

Mr. Starr formed a matrimonial alliance 
with ]\Iaria J. Green, a lady of many excellent 
\irtues. and a daughter of \\'heeler Green, 
whose sketch also appears in this Book of Bi- 
ographies. As a result of this happy union a 
family of six children blessed their home, as 
follows: Wheeler Lloyd, a miller by trade; 
Florence and Leon Anthony, deceased; Hat- 
tie Irene; Clyde Raymond; and John Sidney. 

Mr. Starr is Republican in politics and has 
served as school director for fifteen years; re- 
ligiously he and his family are attendants and 
liberal supporters of the Methodist Church. 



'OIIX WATSON BUCK. Among the 
prominent and energetic business men 
of Sullivan County, Pa., is the gent'e- 
man named above and whose portrait appears 
on the opposite page, who is recognized as 
one of the leading merchants of Sonestown, 
where he owns a large general store. He is 
exceedingly popular in both business and so- 
cial circles, and is ready to assist in all move- 
ments that tend toward the advancement and 
prosperity of his adopted township. He was 
born in what is now Strawbridge, I^ycoming 
County, Pa., June 9, 1853, and is a son of 
Jacob and Hannah (Rishel) Buck, and grand- 
son of John and Magdalena (Springer) Buck. 
Our subject traces his ancestral history back 
to his great-grandfather John Buck, the 
founder of this prosperous family in the Unit- 
ed States, who emigrated from Germany to 
America at an early date. He was the father 
of three children: Benjamin, Polly, and 



John. John Buck, the grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Northampton County, 
Pa., September 23, 1807. He learned the 
trade of a gunsmith but engaged in farming 
the most of his life; he first settled in White 
Hall, Montour County, Pa., then removed to 
Sullivan County. For about two years he 
lived at North Mountain and then he pur- 
chased the farm now owned l)y Robert Tay- 
lor, Jr., at Muncy Creek; aft.er residing there 
for some years, he removed to the state of 
^\'isconsin, and later to Missouri, where he 
passed from this life at the age of eighty years. 
As a result of his marriage with Magdalena 
Springer he had the following children : Ja- 
cob. Lydia, Nancy, John, Mary, Phebe, and 
Eliza. All of these grew to maturity. His 
wife died at the age of aliout seventy-seven 
years. 

Jacob Buck our suljject's father, was born 
November 2, 1829, and in his early manhood 
worked in a saw mill until about i860, when 
he bought a farm on North Mountain and for 
twenty-three years was engaged in farming, 
with the exception of one year, which he and 
his family spent in the West; but liking the 
climate here so much better, he concluded to 
return to his farm. At the expiration of that 
time he accordingly settled in Muncy Creek, 
Lycoming County, where he resided until his 
death and was the owner of one of the finest 
farms in that section of the county. He died 
March 17, 1899. He was married July 22, 
1852, to Hannah Rishel, a daughter of Jos- 
eph and Martha (Phillips) Rishel. and grand- 
daughter of Jacob Rishel. Joseph Rishel was 
a carpenter by trade; he also followed weav- 
ing and farming, pursuing the latter vocation 
during the major portion of his active days. 
He first settled in Bloomsburg. Pa., later in 
Davidson township. .Sullivan Countw l>ut fin- 



562 



1!0(1K OK blOGRAPHIES. 



ally in Penn townsliii), l.yi-diiiiny County, 
where lie died at the age (jf cii;hty-one years; 
his wife departed this life when aged eighty- 
four vcars. Thev reared three children, name- 
ly : (ieorge W., Hannah, and Martha. Our 
subject's mother was born June 2, 1833. M-r. 
and Mrs. Kuck are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: John Watson, our svd^ject; 
Martha Jane, who was born April i, 1856; 
Lewis Harvey, born December 28, 1859, wdio 
is clerking in our subject's store, married 
Sadie Derrick, by wliom he has two children 
— Harry and Clayton;. James Leonard, born 
November 27, 1861, is clerking at Williams- 
]iorl. and is married to Lizzie Hoffer, by 
whom he has one child — Ethel; Lucy Alda, 
born .\ugust 10, 1868, is the wife of Morgan 
(iavitt of Lajjortc, Pa., and they have reared 
three cliildren, — .Miniccnt, lUake. and Fred- 
ericka; Carrie Adella, born September 19, 
1869, died January 21. 1898; Laurette May, 
born April 14. 1872, died June 9, 1898; Mary, 
bt)rn June 2"], I'i'/l, resides with our subject; 
and Annie Eliza, born June 27, 1875, who 
is residing at home most of the time. 

John \\'atson Buck possesses a fine educa- 
tion and started out in life as a school teacher, 
teaching 'for live years and working at car- 
])entering during the summer vacations; he 
then accei)ted a position with A. T. Arm- 
strong of Sonestown. Remaining there a 
little over one year, he resigned and took one 
term at the Muncy Normal School and then 
accepted a position as clerk and bookkeeper 
with Jeremiah Kelly of Hughesville, Pa. Re- 
maining there during the winter of 1881 and 
1882, he then took a course at the Williams- 
port Commercial College, graduating Decem- 
ber 12, 1882. His next position was with Mr. 
Armstrong of Sonestown, Pa., \vith whom he 
remained a year and a half: he then became 
bookkeeper antl general assistant for the lirm 



of Hicks & Piurnley of Williamsport, Pa. In 
1885 he returned to Sonestown and again en- 
gaged with Mr. Armstrong, with whom he 
remained about two vcars. He then went to 
work for Rodine & A\'arn in Sonestown and 
for nine years acted as manager of their store. 
.\t the expiration of that time he bought out 
the tirm; be also purchased the two-story 
building, in which the store was located, 
which was built in 1876 by Robert Whitaker. 
Mr. Buck inmiediately increased the stock, 
and now carries a complete line of dry goods, 
groceries, boots and shoes, gents' furnish- 
ings, hardware, paints and oils, and all kinds 
of farming implements; his store is one of the 
most complete general stores in the county, 
and by his honest and straightforward deal- 
in.gs he has built up a large and enviable pat- 
ronage. He is enterprising and public-spirit- 
ed, and enjoys the respect and good will of a 
large circle of acquaintances. 

Mr. Buck was joined in the bonds of matri- 
nion\- with Jennie Gavitt, a daughter of Peter 
(ia\itt of Laporte townslhi), Sullivan County. 
Pa., and they are the parents of five children, 
namely: Lela, Vera, MiUlred, Staimton C., 
who died at the age of seven months; and 
Grant. Religiously he is a uKMuber of the 
Cnited E\-angeIical Church, and his wife is 
a member of the Methodist R]iiscopal. In 
]iolitics he is a Republican and served as 
school director live years. Socially he is a 
member of Sonestown Lodge, L O. O. F., of 
which he is past grand and past representa- 
ti\e member; past chief patriarch of the En- 
campment of Laporte; and past president of 
W^ashington Camp, No. 344, P. O. S. of A. 
of Sonesto.wn, Pa. During iiis many business 
changes, Mr. Buck has always held his resi- 
dence in Sonestown and has ne\er \oted 
in any other place. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



563 




EV. CHARLES B. SCHNEDER, 

pastor of St. John's Reformed Church 
IP V^^ of Shaniokin, is a son of Baltzer 
and Elizabeth (Bowman) Schneder, and was 
born January 5, 1861, at Bowmanville, Lan- 
caster County, Pa. His education began in 
the pul)Iic schools of his nati\'e township and 
was continued at the Keystone State Normal 
School of Kutztown, Pa., where he took part 
of his preparatory course. He afterward took 
a course at the academy at Lancaster, Pa., 
after which he entered Franklin and Marshall 
College, from which he graduated in 1885, 
being a salutatorian of the class. He then 
entered the Eastern Theological Seminary at 
Lancaster, Pa., from which he graduated 
in 1888. On July 15, 1888, he was ordained 
and accepted as his first field of labor the Pine 
Grove charge, Schuylkill County, Pa. This 
charge consisted of five congregations, all sur- 
roiuuling Pine Grove. He remained connected 
with that parish until 1891, at which time he 
w as chosen to fill his present responsible posi- 
tion in Shamokin. 

Since his connection with the church in 
Shamokin our subject has been an untiring 
worker and has liuilt the present edifice, cost- 
ing about $30,000. \\'hen he accepted the 
charge flt St. John's the congregation num- 
bered 456 members. Rev. Schneder is a man 
of pleasing address; he is generous and lib- 
eral in his sentiments, positive in his convic- 
tions, and firm in expression of his views. He 
has ever exhibited the genuineness of rehgious 
experience by living a true Christian life, and 
by his earnest efforts has added to his flock 
until his congregation now reaches a mem- 
bership of 950, while his Sunday School num- 
bers about 1.000. Rev. Schneder keeps 
abreast of the times by having all the subsi- 
diary organizations connected with the 
church, lie has served the church as a dele- 



gate to the district and general synods. He 
has served on the board of beneficiary educa- 
tion and as a member of the board of trustees 
of the East Susquehanna classis, of which 
he is a memljer, and while in Schuylkill Coun- 
ty was stated clerk of the classis. 

Rev. Schneder is purely of German origin. 
The Schneder family in this country was 
founded by John Schneder, who came from 
Germany and located near New Holland, Lan- 
caster County, Pa., where his remains lie 
buried. He was one of the earliest pioneer 
settlers and became a tiller of the soil; his 
broad acres were not easily counted, and late 
in life he was enabled to build a large, com- 
fortal:)le and substantial homestead, and within 
its doors strangers as well as old-time friends 
were entertained with generous hospitality. 
His eldest son was called Jacob, whose son, 
Baltzer, was the great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject. 

Amos Schneder. son of Baltzer and grand- 
father of our subject, was born and reared in 
Lancaster County, Pa. He was a veterinary 
surgeon and farmer and lived to the age of 
ninety-one years. His son Baltzer, our sub- 
ject's father, was born in 1831 and still lives 
at the old homestead on his grandfather's farm 
enjoying the peaceful and quiet life of a farm- 
er. He was originally a shoemaker, but later 
in life engaged in farming, and has since re- 
sided on the old homestead farm. He has 
taken a very active interest in church affairs, 
and is a firm believer in the doctrines of the 
Reformed Church of the United States. He 
is serving as an elder of that church at the 
present time. He was united in marriage with 
Elizabeth Bowman, a pious lady, and their 
home was blessed by the presence of four sons 
and two daughters. Of these Sarah, the wife 
of James K. Fox, lives in Missouri; David B. 
lives in Sendai, Ja])an, where he is occupying 



664 



HOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the cliair of dogmatic theology in tlie Re- 
formed Theological Seminary; Charles B. is 
our subject; Mary B. is the wife of David B. 
lieudcr, lives in Lancaster County, Pa.; Amos 
B. is at ])resent a member of the junior class 
in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, 
T'a.. is living temporarily in that city; and 
Martin died in childhood. 




[9, 



R. K0BI<:RT a. KENNEDY, a prom- 
inent and successful practitioner and 
one of the most active citizens of Slia- 
niokin, I'a., is well known, not onl\- in meili- 
cil associations, but also in social circles 
tlnoughout the Seventeenth Congressional 
District. After years of useful prei)aration, 
during wliirli lie was obliged to work his \va\' 
through the medical college. Dr. Kennetly 
reached the goal of his ambition and became 
a fnll-lledged M. D., graduating from the 
Pennsylvania Aletlical University in 1881. He 
immediately began the practice of his profes- 
sion in Shamokin, where he has energeti- 
cally ap])lied himself for years and succeeded 
in building u]) a substantial and lucrative 
l)ractice, enjoying the reputation of being a 
very successful specialist in the treatment of 
diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. He 
thorougliK' (|ualified himself for these special 
dej^artments by taking courses of study in 
the best medical institutions in New York 
and Phil;idelpliia. 

Our subject was born August 12, 1853, in 
Shamokin, and is a son of William and Maria 
(Ammerman) Kennedy, and a grandson of 
Jonathan Kennedy, of Scotch-Irish stock, 
who emigrated from the North of Ireland 
and located in White Deer township, Lycom- 
ing County, Pa., where he is registered as 
ecu one of the pioneer settlers of 



naxinc h 



that county. He engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits and general development of the country. 
He was known to all, far and near, as a man 
of just and upright [irinciples, full of i)rogres- 
sive ideas about ])ractical farming. He was 
a \\'!iig and as such took a very active in- 
terest in local ]Kjlitics. He died at the old 
homestead in the comnuuiit_\- where he was 
iionored and respected by all. 

William Kennedy, father of our subject, was 
born at the family home in Lycoming Coun- 
ty abiiul i<Si<S 111- i(Sjo. lie was reared and 
educated in the common schools of his nati\e 
count\-. While a young man he removed to 
Slianiiikiii and was one i>\ the earliest settlers 
of th;il place, going there early in the 40's; 
he w;is also one of the first merchants in Sha- 
mokin, where he carrietl on a successful and 
remuiierati\e business until late in the 6o's, 
when he located in Schuylkill County, Pa., 
where he spent the remainder of his days. 
He was united in marriage with Maria Am- 
merman and their union was blessed with five 
children. Death mercilessly robbed them of 
all except one, Robert A., the subject of this 
sketch. William Kennedy spent the closing 
years of his life in contracting and speculat- 
ing. He died at the age of si.Kty-ti\'e years, 
having lived to see his only surviving son a 
successful physician and surgeon. 

( )ur subject began his education b_v attend- 
ing school in Shamokin, after which he took 
an academical course at Ehsburg, and then 
entered Bucknell University at Lewisburg, 
from which he graduated in 1873, having con- 
ferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of 
Philosophy. Then began his struggle to ob- 
tain a medical education. He commenced to 
study medicine under a preceptor, Dr. S. M. 
Todd, in Berks County, at the same time en- 
gaged in teaching in the Mount Pleasant 
Seniiiiar\- at Boxertown: this enabled him to 



w^ 




PETER G. BOBB. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



567 



take several courses of medical lectures at the 
Pennsylvania University, after which he suc- 
ceeded in getting an appointment for one year 
at the cit}- hospital of W'ilkesbarre. Pa. He 
next went to Danville and studied under the 
late Dr. James D. Strawbridge, after which he 
was in charge of the drug store of Dr. Ran- 
kin at Muncy for about one year. He was 
then financially able to complete his medical 
education by attending the Pennsyh'ania Uni- 
\ersity until 1881, when he graduated with 
honors as before mentioned. 

Our subject was united in marriage with 
Sallie Magec, which happy event was consum- 
mated March 2, ]88_'. I*"(,ur children ha\e 
been l)orn to them, (inh- one of whom is liv- 
ing. Roberta A., who was born July 18, 1896, 
and is a joy and comfort to her parents. Dr. 
and Mrs. Kennedx' are bdth consistent mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, and are very 
liberal supporters of it. 

Dr. Kennedy was one of the organizers of 
the Northumberland County Medical Asso- 
ciation and is also a member of the \\'est 
Branch ]Medical Society of Pennsylvania, the 
Pennsylvania State Medical Association, and 
American Medical Association. He is an 
earnest Republican and gives his support to 
the nominees of that party. Educational 
matters have shared his generous support and 
for six years he cheerfully gave his time and 
services as a member of the school board of 
the city of Shamokin. He is an active mem- 
ber of the following lodges and organizations: 
Past master of Shamokin P>Iue Lodge, No. 
255, F. &; A. M.; Shamokin Chapter, No. 264, 
R. A. M.; Shamokin Commandery, No. yj, 
K. T.; Philadelphia Consistory Scottish Rite 
Masons, consisting of 32 degrees; Rajah Tem- 
ple Mystic Shrine: past president \\'ashington 
Camp, No. 660, Patriotic Order Sons of 
America; Shamokin Council of the United 



Order American Mechanics; Black Diamond 
Lodge, No. 1092, L O. O. F.; past exalted 
ruler of Shamokin Lodge, No. 355, Order of 
Elks; and Liberty Hose Company of the Sha- 
mokin b'ire Department. 



T^FTER G. BOBB, deceased, whose por- 
"-^ trait appears on the opposite page, was 
- a well known and much respected 

business m;m of Paxinos, ]'a., and was born 
in Jackson township, Northumberland Coun- 
ty, Sejjtember 28, 1842. He was a son of 
Michael .M. and Flizalieth (Gonsar) Bobb, of 
JcHckson townshi]), and graiidsim of Michael 
Bobb, a native of Germany, who was the first 
of the family to locate in Jackson townshi]). 

Michael M. Bobb, the father of our subject, 
was born Se])tember 28, 1812, at Big .Ma- 
hanoy. Pa. He grew to manhood in Lower 
Augusta and followed the trade of a tailor 
there for about nine years. In 1852 he re- 
moved to Shamokin townsliiii, locating at 
SnutTtown. where he worked at the tailor 
trade and farming. He later sold out and 
moved to Union County, near Miffiinburg, 
where he carried on farming, but he subse- 
cjuently mo\'ed to Rockefeller township, 
where lie resided, enjoying the fruits of his 
labor, until he departed this life at the age of 
seventy-two years. His wife survived him 
nine years, dying at the age of seventy-five. 
Mrs. Bobb was a daughter of Daniel Gon- 
sar, a farmer of Jackson township who lived 
to the age of sixty-two years. Our subject's 
parents were members of the Lutheran 
Church. They had eleven children, namely : 
Mary Ann, now deceased, who married J. .\. 
Treats, a resident of Snufftown; Daniel, who 
operates a planing mill in Sunbury, Pa.: Eliz- 
abeth, deceased, who married William Biles 
of Mount Carmel, Pa.; Caroline, who was the 



568 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



wife of Jacolj Dundure, deceased, a cattle 
drover; Peter Cj., wliose luiiiic lieads these 
lines; Sarah, the wife of C. Frederick Lindig, 
a resident of Lewisburg, Pa.; \\'ilHam W., 
deceased; Michael, who died young; I'Vank- 
lin Pierce, who married Mary Bone, and now 
operates a planing mill at East Lewisbnrg. 
Pa.; and Louisa, widow of James Havens, 
who lives in Lewisburg. Mr. and Mrs. Bobb 
gave their children the benefits of an educa- 
tion in the public schools. 

Peter G. Bobb lived at home luuil he was 
eighteen years of age, when he taught school 
for two years, and then clerked in a store at 
Paxinos for John Nesbit for three years. He 
was married in 1865 to Mary Jane Fisher, a 
daughter of John and Hannah (Yocum) 
Fisher, the former a miller of Paxinos. They 
Ijecame parents of four children and the three 
youngest still brighten their mother's home: 
Bessie, the first born, married John H. Kase, 
a farmer of Mayberry township, Montour 
County; Carrie Belle; Alfred Cameron; and 
Mildred P. After 1867 our subject went intt) 
the general merchandise business for himself 
at Paxinos and so continued until 1868, when 
he sold out to Thomas Metz, and then he 
clerked for three years. He was ai)pointed 
postmaster of Pa.xinos and was not permitted 
to relintpiish his ])osition for twenty-three 
years. He was also appointed ticket and 
freight Agent at Paxinos for the Northern 
Central Railroad in 1871, continuing until 
1894. He then started the business now op- 
erated b_\- his son, and dealt in farm imjile- 
ments of all kinds, harness, whips, coal and 
fertilizers, etc. He also owned two farms in 
Ralpho township. Mr. Bobb departed this 
life on February 8, 1899, and the business 
which he placed on a firm basis is Ijeing suc- 
cessfully conducted by his son, Alfred Cam- 
eron Bobb. 



Politically ^Ir. Bobb was a fnin adherent 
to the principles of the Republican party, but 
was not an ofifice-seeker. The Methodist 
Church found in him a worthy and active 
member. He enlisted in June, i8()3, in Com- 
pany A, 28th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was in 
service until June 27, 1863. Having lived in 
Paxinos for over forty years and having at- 
tainetl a position of prominence in the com- 
munity, his success is often cited by his 
friends, who desire their children to emulate 
his example.' 




ENRY E. FAWCETT, who is exten- 
sively engaged in general farming and 

^ ^ dairying, is a highly respected citi- 
zen of Elkland township, Sullivan County, Pa. 
He w'as born on the farm on which he now 
resides, September 3, 1857, ami is a son of 
John and Phoebe (Bird) Fawcett. 

His grandfather was Henry Fawcett. a na- 
tive of England, who inunigrated to America 
in 1819, locating on the farm now owned by 
J. Kline, Esq., in Sullivan County, Pa. It was 
a tract of timberland which had not under- 
gone the improvements which civilization 
brings. He cleared a piece sufificient in size 
on which to build a cabin, and after its erec- 
tion he and his wife lived there the remainder 
of their li\-es, working liand in hand, conx'crt- 
ing a vast wilderness iiUo fields fit for cultiva- 
tion. 

John Fawcett, the father of our subject, was 
born in Engiaml in JS17, and was two years 
of age when his parents came to this country. 
His opportunities for obtaining an education 
uere few, but he made the best of them and 
acquired a good business training. Upon 
reaching maturity he purchased the farm now 
owned by our subject, built a good house, and 
during the remainder of his days followed 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



5fi9 



farming, making great improvements on his 
property. In tlie latter \cars of his life he 
erected a new and modern home, the one in 
which Henry E. Fawcett now lives, hut it was 
not entirely completed at his death. He was 
a man of excellent qnalities and always aided 
tliose who had lieen less fortunate in life than 
lie. He passed into the realms of the unknown 
Septemher 21, 1881, and his death was greatly 
mourned hy a large circle of friends and ac- 
(|uaintances. He married Phoebe Bird, a 
daugliter of George and Sarah (King) Bird, 
who was horn in 181 3, and is now living with 
her son .\sa in Elkland township, being a well- 
])reserved woman fur her _\cars. The children 
resulting from this union were: riiilinda, the 
wife of James Hart; Lydia, the wife of David 
.McLartv: George; Asa, who married Iaz/ac 
Sohrader; Sarah; ]\liner\a, the wife of Wells 
AlcCarty; and Henry E., the subject of this 
personal history. Mr. Fawcett was a stanch 
Republican in his political affiliations; in re- 
ligious views he was a Wesleyan Methodist. 

Henry E. Fawcett was reared on his fath- 
er's farm and educated in the district schools. 
The happiness and success of his father in the 
pursuance of agricultural pursuits influenced 
him in choosing farming as his life's work. 
He purchased the old homestead, improved it, 
antl at the present time has a fine farm of 160 
acres under a higli state of cultivation. He 
is engaged in dairying and raises grain and 
other farm produce; and for many years he 
ran a threshing machine and was also engaged 
in the lumber and bark business. He is a man 
of good Inisiness capacity, and good results 
have attended his efforts on all sides. 

Mr. Fawcett was joined in hymeneal bonds 
with Arvilla Mullen, a daughter of John and 
Selena (Woodhead) Mullen, and a descendant 
of an old and well-established famil\- in Sulli- 
van Countv. Anthon\- Mullen, the earliest 



ancestor of whom there is any record, lived 
in New York City and was a drununer in the 
Revolutionary War. He was a sea captain 
and was finally lost at sea, leaving a very large 
property in New York City. His son, Charles 
Mullen, at an early day moved to Sullivan 
County, Pa., where he was given a tract of fif- 
ty acres ])y Dr. Joseph Priestley as an induce- 
ment for him to locate there. He cleared the 
land and built a log house, the work being 
greatl\- facilitated by the use of tools which 
he was enabled to make, as his trade was that 
of a blacksmith. He subseciuently took u\i 
more land, but as he was at a distance of thirty 
miles from the nearest mill, he finally located 
on our subject's farm, where he died at the 
age of sixty-five years. He married Eliza- 
beth llo.'igland, and they reared the following 
children: Hannah; Charles; Joseph; Mar- 
tha; William; John; and Anthony. John 
Mullen, the father of Mrs. Fawcett, was edu- 
cated in the district schools and in the college 
of Jersey Shore, in which he took a complete 
course under Prof. Nehemiah Ross, gradua- 
ting at the age of twenty-two years. He canie 
into possession of the homestead property, 
and has since followed farming. He married 
Selena Woodhead, and the following children 
were born to them: Almeda, Cecelia, Lettie, 
Rose, Frank, Lillie, Janie, Arvilla, Melville, 
Clara, Charles, Luella, and Ada. Mr. Mullen 
was born in Elkland township, Sullivan Conn- 
tv, March i, i8ji, and is now an honored 
member of that community. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fawcett are the parents of 
two children: Lee and Lena. Politically Mr. 
Fawcett is very active and is one of the most 
popular men in the Republican party in Sulli- 
van County. He was the party nominee for 
sheriff in 1895 and ran away ahead of his tick- 
et, Init was defeated by the small margin of 
sixty-five votes. He has served as constable. 



570 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



school director, and superintendent of roads. 
In religious views he is a Wesleyan Metho- 
dist, and lie and his wife both take an active 
part in church and sabbath school work. 



M 



AVID L. SOLLENBERGER, the 
popular postmaster at Shamokin, and 
one of the best known newspaper men 
of Pennsylvania, is a son of Samuel S. and 
Anna M. (Lehn) SoUenberger, and was born 
October 14, 1853, in Mechanicsburg, Cum- 
berland County, Pa. At the age of sixteen 
years he Ijecame a compositor in the office of 
the Newville Pennsylvania Star, at Newville, 
Cumberland County, Pa., where he served 
three years; in 1873 he went to Pittsburg, 
Pa., where he worked at his trade as a jour- 
neyman until 1877, when he removed to 
Northumberland County and purchased the 
Watsontown Record and i>ublished it ten 
months, when he sold out and bought a half 
interest in the Sunburs' Democrat, and was 
associated with it until Jime, 1879. In No- 
vember, 1879, he purchased a half-interest in 
the Shamokin Times, and continued in con- 
nection with it until 1891. In 1886 he formed 
a partnership with \V. S. Ginterman and 
founded the Shamokin Daily Dispatch, which 
he continued to publish until 1891, when he 
severed his connection with the Dispatch and 
Times and entered a new held of labor, that 
of editing the Sunbury Evening Item. 

August 24, 1894, during the latter part of 
the Cleveland administration, our subject was 
appointed .postmaster at Shamokin. His pop- 
ularity and worth as a public servant have 
been recognized by the head of the Postoffice 
Department at Washington and Mr. Sollen- 
berger has been honored, as well as rewarded, 



for his ef^cient service, by being continued in 
office under the present administration. 

John Sollenberger, great-grandfather of our 
subject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa., 
in 1774, but removed to Cumberland County, 
locating in Monroe township, near Carlisle, 
where he followed the occupation of a farmer. 
He died in 1856, having attained the ripe age 
of eighty-five years. 

(^ur subject's maternal grandfather was 
born in Lancaster County in 1794, and was a 
farmer by avocation; he died at the old home- 
stead in Cumberland County in 1878, lacking 
but one year of having lived as many years as 
did his venerable father. Religiously, he was 
of the German Baptist persuasion. The grand- 
father on the maternal side was David Lehn. 

Samuel S. Sollenberger, father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Mechanics1nn-g, Pa., in 1830, 
and lived all his life in his native county. In 
the later years of his life he engaged in teach- 
ing school. He was a valued citizen, and his 
l)remature demise was deeply regretted by a 
large circle of friends. His death occurred in 
1873, he having crossed the threshold of only 
forty-three years. The marriage of Samuel S. 
and Anna M. Lehn was blessed with but one 
child, David L., subject of this sketch, who 
was educated in the common .schools of the 
countv of his birth, lie was a close student 
anil by diligent application to his studies at 
school he accpiired a good ]:)ractical education. 
Politically our subject is a Democrat and al- 
wavs has taken an active interest in ])arly 
work and is a successful party organizer. In 
1884 he was a delegate to the .\llentown state 
convention and an alternate to the national 
convention of the same year. Socially he affil- 
iates with the Odd Fellows and is a member 
of Lodge No. 9. I. O. O. F., of Pittsburg, Pa. 

November 29, 1876, he married Annie .\. 
Brown, an accomplished and charming lady, 




GKoRCiK |. hk;c;ins. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



573 



and to them liave been l:)orn five cliildren: 
Erie G.; Helen Pearl; Mary G.; Vida C., who 
died Angnst 22, 1898; and David B. 

rEORGE J. HIGGIXS, local agent 
if the Philadelphia & Reading Rail- 
road and also agent of the United 
States Express Company, whose portrait is 
shown on the opposite page, is among the 
well-known citizens of Shamokin. Xorthum- 
berland County, Pa. He enjoys the distinc- 
tion of being a self-made man in every sense 
of the word, having worked his way up from 
messenger boy to his present responsible and 
lucrative position of freight and passenger 
agent at the above station. At tlie age of fif- 
teen years he was an expert sound operator 
and was appointed operator at the Reading 
station at Shenandoah. He was a faithful and 
untiring worker and his promotion fell to 
bun step by step. At the age of eighteen he 
was again promoted, to the post of assistant 
weigh-master at the Frackville scales, at 
which place he spent two and one-half years 
in weighing coal and then accepted the chief 
clerkship at the Reading depot in Shenan- 
doah. In 1888 he was promoted to the posi- 
tion of station agent at Allenwood, on the 
Reading system, and two months later was 
transferred to a similar position at Locust 
Gap, where he remained until June i. 1891, 
when his services were rewarded by another 
])romotion and he was sent to Shamokin as 
station agent for the Reading. 

Our subject was born in Tamaqua, Schu\l- 
kill County, Pa., July 27, 1865, and is a son 
of John F. and Margaret (Franey) Higgins, 
well-known residents of Shenandoah, and 
grandson of William Higgins, a native of Ire- 
land, who came to America when a young 
man, .some eightv vears ago, and located in 



Schuylkill County, being one of Tamaciua's 
pioneer settlers, the entire region at the time 
1)eing a vast, untouched wilderness. John F. 
Higgins, the father of our subject, was born 
in Tamaqua in 1837. He was a molder by 
trade; later in life he discontinued working 
at his trade and engaged in the shoe business. 
He died at Shenandoah in 1893, at the age 
of fifty-six years. He endorsed the principles 
of Democracy and took a very active in- 
terest in local politics: he was tax collector 
of Shenandoah in 1891 and 1892. The fol- 
lowing children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Higgins besides George J., the subject of 
this sketch : Alice, wife of Edward Ratcb- 
ford. of Shenandoah, Pa.; William J., an un- 
dertaker of Mount Carmel, Pa.; John F., Jr., 
who is state senator of the Thirtieth Sena- 
torial District, and lives at Shenandoah; Me- 
lissa M.; James C; Nellie E.; Kate.M.; 
Charles C. ; Julia A. ^Most of the family live 
in Shenandoah, Pa. 

On October 21, 1891, our subject was 
united in marriage with Julia M. Tobin. the 
accomplished daughter of John and Margaret 
A. (Turner) Tdbin, well known residents of 
Shenandoah. They, with their two children, 
Margaret E. and John F., now reside at No. 
I South Shamokin street, Shamokin. 

Mr. Higgins is a thorough niilmad man, 
possesses progressive ideas, is popular with 
the masses, and makes an all-round ideal 
agent and citizen. He is an active member 
of Sunbury Lodge, B. P. O. E., of which he 
is exalted ruler; and is also a member of the 
Cresco Social Club of Shamokin, of which he 
is a trustee. 



fGNATIUS B. BINDER, a worthy cit- 
izen and retired merchant of Shamokin, 
Coal township, is of German-Bohemian 
descent. He is a son of Joseph and Agnes 



674 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



(Sterski) Binder and was I.nrn July 30, 1845, 
in Austria-Bohemia, liis ])arcnts were na- 
tives of Bohemia. 

The father of our suhjcct was born in 18 jo, 
immigrated to .\nKMica in 1873 and located in 
Nortliampton County, wlierc lie purchased a 
large farm and engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. In this calling lie nicl with nuicli suc- 
cess, and after some years of careful work he 
fnially died at lierlinville in 1884, at the age 
of sixty-four \ears. lie and his good wife 
were parents of eleven children, three of 
whom died in the ( )ld Country and the fol- 
lowing grew to manhood and womanhood, be- 
sides our suliject: l""erdinand, Anthony, 
.\doJpli. .\ll)crl, I'lhlip, Mary, and i\udolph. 
{''erdinand, .\nthon\, Albeii, Philip, ;nid i\u- 
dollih are residents of iMauch Chunk, while 
.\dolpii lives in J'erJinN'iJle ;uid Mary is a nurse 
in Sf. Louis, Mo. 

Ignatius B. Binder received a good educa- 
tion in his native country, where he also 
learned the butclier's trade. He immigrated to 
America several }'ears before his parents, lo- 
cating in Bethlehem in 1867, \vhere he fol- 
lowed butchering al)oul one year. He then 
removed to Catasau(iua, where he carried on 
the same business for al)out two years, return- 
ing to Bethleiiem again for a short time. He 
sold out his business to good advantage and 
spent some time traveling in the states and 
thus familiarizing himself with the scenery and 
customs of America. After spending three 
months in travel throughout the West he re- 
turned to the I'last and again embarked in 
business, following his trade (juite success- 
fully in Heidelberg, Leliigh County, Pa., 
then in Lehigh ( lap, and finally located per- 
manently in Shaniokin in 1872. After being 
actively engaged in butchering for about 
twentv years he decided to discontinue the 



butcher business. In 1893 he engaged in 
general merchandising, at which he prospered 
for two years. ] laving accumulated a snug 
sum of UKiuey and ha\iug no family ik']>end- 

! ing upon him, he retired from active business 
pursuits, and he and his amiable wife are 

I spending their days in comfort :uid ease, in a 
way to suit tlieir fancy. 

On July ]<), 1870, Amelia Kautter became 
the wife of our subject. She is a daughter 
of Conrad Kautter of Stuttgart, W nrtemberg, 
Ciermauy, and first saw the light of day Fcl)- 
ruary 4, 1845. Her sister, Paulina Slo])ey, 
widow of F.clward Slopey, also resides in this 
country. 

Our subject anil jiis wurlh) wife were de- 
nied a famib' of their own, Iml one of his 
brother's childi'cn was taken into their home 
and thc\- i-earcd and loved her as their own. 
'i'his was Mary, now the wife of Wesley Ber- 
ren of Shamokin. Mr. Binder is a faithful 
member of St. Edwar<rs Roman Catholic 
Church and is dee])ly interested in all work 
pertaining to the church. 



K^ 



ANK M. GROSS, jNL D., a physician 
of good repute throughout Sulli\an 
County, is a highly esteemed citizen 
of Forksville. He is a son of nr. James 1). 
and .\un fB>renizer) Gross, and was JKirn at 
Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, I'a., 
January 4, 1852. 

James D. Gross, father of our subject, was 
liorn near Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Coun- 
ty, and was a son of Jacob and Catherine 
(Barnhart) Cjross. The family on the paternal 
side came from ATar\land, and his mother was 
a natixe of Cumberland Count\', Pa. The 
father was a man of high educational attain- 
ments and was a siraduate of Dickinson Col- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



575 



lege at Carlisle, Pa. He chose medicine as 
his profession and graduated from the Jeffer- 
son Medical College of Philadelphia, after 
which he commenced practice at Shepherds- 
town, Pa. He later went to White Pigeon, 
Mich., and finally located at Flat Rock, O., 
where he died at the age of forty-three years. 
He married Ann Brenizer, a daughter of 
George Brenizer of Cumberland County, and 
they had but one child, the subject of this 
sketch. Mrs. Gross passed awax' in her sixty- 
fifth year. 

Frank M. Gross was but a child when his 
father died, and his mother jiassed away 
March 20, 1888. He attended the public 
schools of Mechanicsburg and later the Cum- 
l)erland \'alley Institute, Ijeing possessed of 
high amliitions and determined to obtain a 
good education. Noting the success attained 
by his father as a physician, he decided to 
study medicine, and entered the ofifice of Dr. 
Harshbarger, now of N^ew .\lbany. Pa. He 
graduated from the Eclectic Medical Institute 
at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1881, and, with a grim 
determination to succeed, he entered upon his 
practice at Burnt Cabin, Pa. He subsequently 
followed his profession in the following places: 
New Albany, Pa.; Forkston, Wyoming Coun- 
ty, Pa.; Loomis, Mich.; Little Meadows, Sus- 
quehanna County, Pa.; Powell, Pa.; and in 
1897 located at Forksville, Sullivan County, 
Pa., succeeding to the practice of Dr. Ormsby 
and forming a partnership with Dr. Blake E. 
Gamble. He has attained a high degree of 
ethciency in the diagnosing and treatment of 
cases and his efforts have been attended by the 
best of results. 

Dr. Gross was united in marriage with Ar- 
metta Simpson, a daughter of Isaac D. Simp- 
son of Waverly, N. Y., and they have one 
daughter, ]\Iaud. who was born at West Au- 
burn, Suscjuehanna County, Pa., June 12, 



1 88 1, and is a student of the Waverly Acad- 
emy. Dr. Gross is an Odd Fellow. 



^/7lle 
XfoV ly-esi 



AM G. HOLLISTER, a high- 
'-esteemed resident of Mount Car- 
mel, Northumberland County, Pa., 
is a well-known manufacturer of shoes, hav- 
ing followed that line fif business ever since 
embarking in the business world. He is a son 
of Isaac and Jane (Mahood) HolHster, and 
was born in Schuylkill County, Pa., March 2, 
1854. He is of Irish descent and is a grandson 
of Samuel Hollister, a native of Ireland, who, 
upon coming to this country, located in 
Schuylkill County, Pa., with his family. 

Isaac Hollister, the father of our subject, 
was born in Ireland in 1828, and at an earlv 
age was brought to America by his parents. 
They resided in Schuylkill County until 1853, 
when they removed to Mount Carmel, North- 
umberland County. Isaac was a shoemaker 
by trade and throughout his life plied that 
trade with good success. In 1863 he was the 
only Democrat in the village, but with the 
courage of his convictions he cast his vote for 
Woodward, his jiarty candidate for governor. 
He was at all times an enthusiastic supporter 
of the Democracy, but never aspired to office. 
Mr. Hollister was called to his final rest on 
July 20, 1895. His companion in life was Jane 
]\Iahood, who was born in 1830, and their hap- 
py union was blessed by the birth of eight chil- 
dren, a record of whom follows: W'illiam G., 
the subject of this biographical record; Sam- 
uel, a shoe merchant at Locust Gap, North- 
umberland County; Isaac H., deceased, who 
was appointed postmaster in February, 1894, 
and served until his death, on July 13, 1895: 
Lydia, deceased; Jane, the present postmis- 
tress of Mount Carmel. who was appointed to 



576 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



succeed lier Ijrother upon his death; Mary 
Emma, who died at an early age ; James, who 
resides at Mount Carmcl and is a fireman at 
the Reliance Colliery; and Mary, who lives 
at Mount Carmel with her mother. 

William G. Hollistcr, the subject of this 
sketch, was reared at Mount Carmel and re- 
ceived his educatiiiu in the pulilic schools, 
after which he learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker with his father, lie was quick of per- 
cci)tion and in a short time was a very .skilled 
workman for his years. He was hut thirteen 
years of age when he completed his first pair 
of boots, and he has continued in shoemaking 
up to the present time. He carries a full stock 
of shoes, and for the past year also has been 
successfully engaged in the niaiuifacture of 
mining and mill slides, fur which there is a 
good demand in that section, lie is a reliable 
business man and is respected by his fellow- 
men wherever known. 

On July 3, i8yi, Mr. llollister was united 
in marriage with Mary Cavanaugh, and four 
children have been born to them: ^lary Ger- 
trude; James; Josc]ih: William T.co; and 
Samuel Edgar. 



OHN McCLEERV, president of the 
Milton Trust & Safe Dejjosil Com- 
jjany, through whose efforts it was or- 
ganized in 1887, has for many years been 
prominently identified with business enter- 
prises in ]\liU()n, Xorthumberland County. 
Pa. He is a man of great energy and strong 
personality and his eft'orts in various under- 
takings have met with gratifying and deserved 
success. He is a son of Dr. William and Mar- 
garet (Pollock) McClecry. and was born .\pril 
8, 1837. 

Our subject's ancestors were natives of 



Scotland, who, at the time of the early perse- 
cutions, established a home in Ireland, where 
Michael IMcCleery, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was born. He had a brother 
John, who came to America and served as a 
captain in the Revolutionary War, being 
killed in the battle of Bunker Hill. 

John McCleery, the grandlatiier of om- sub- 
ject, was born at the forks of the Conestoga. 
in Earl township, Lancaster County, Pa., Oc- 
tober 13, i7'')7, and at an early age engaged 
in mercantile pursuits at Harrisburg. lie 
later mo\ed to ^ililton, .Xorthumberland 
County. Pa., being among the first to engage 
in business there, and opened a general mer- 
chandise store on the corner of South 
Front street and liro.idway, where l'"olmer's 
grocery store is now situated. He dealt large- 
ly in produce and grain, but the means of 
trans])(>rtation to markets were very limited 
and he had to ship them down the river in 
arks to the larger cities, where he would trade 
for merchandise. He finally retired from that 
business and purcha.sed a farm, which now 
forms a part of the William Cameron estate, 
and there successfully engaged in farming the 
remainder of his life. On September 2^. 1802. 
he and Mary Lytle, who was born at Lytic 
I'errv. on the Sus<|uehanna River, in Dauphin 
County, March iC). 1774. and was a daugh- 
ter of Joscpli and Sarah Lytle, were united 
I in marriage by Rev. Nathan Souden. Pater- 
nallv she was of English descent, while ma- 
ternalh' her ancestors were of Irish extraction. 
Their union resulted in the following issue: 
William; Sarah, the wife of John L. Watson, 
was born February 18. 1805; Joseph, born 
lanuarv 10. 1807: Jane, who married Rev. 
David X. Junkin. was born February 4, 1809; 
Elizabeth, born Sei)tcmber 10, 1811; and 
Mary, born March \C), 1814, who wedded 
Rev. Nathan Shotwell. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



677 



Dr. William McCleerv, tlie father of our 
subject, was born at Halifax, Daui)hin Coun- 
ty, Pa., July 31, 1803. and early in life was 
brought to Alilton 1)}- his i^arcnts. practicalh' 
growing up with that borough. His educa- 
tion was obtained in the Milton .Academy, 
Rev. David Kirk])atrick, D. D., principal. 
He then attended the Washington College at 
Washington, Pa., and later graduated from 
the Jefferson Medical College of Philadeli)hia 
in 1827. He then entered u])()n the practice 
of his profession at Milton, and in a \ery short 
time established a very large clientage, which 
he retained until 1857, when he was succeeded 
b\- iiis son. Dr. janies P.. who is a promi- 
nent ph\'.>ician of (he borough at the pres- 
ent time. He then li\ed in retirement for a 
brief period, gaining a nuich nceileil rest, but 
a state of idleness was antagonistic to his 
energetic teni])erament, and he was soon ac- 
ti\-ely engaged in business, building at Milton 
the first steam saw-mill erected on the West 
Branch of the Susquehanna River, it being sit- 
uated where the car manufacturing establish- 
ment is now located. This saw-mill was erected 
in 1844. This he operated until tleath, which 
occurred on December .j, 1867, at the age 
of sixty-four years. He was originally a 
W'hig in his political affiliations, as was his 
lather, but he later became a Republican. 
He built the handsome residence in which 
our sul)ject now lives, in which he spent his 
latter da3s. He was joined in the holy bonds 
of wedlock with Margaret Pollock, a daugh- 
ter of William Pollock, and a sister of the 
late James Pollock, ex-governor of Pennsyl- 
vania, and they were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: Mary. l)orn September 9, 1830, 
if the wife of Joseph D. Potts of Philadel- 
phia; James P., a record of whose Hfe ap- 
pears elsewhere: Sarah, deceased, was born 
November 5, 1834; John, the subject of this 



])ersonal history; William P., born April 27, 
1834, was a captain in the i8th Reg. U. S. 
Inf. in the Civil War, and later served against 
the Indians on the western jjlains, — he re- 
signed his commission in 1868 and is now 
engaged in business at Troy, Pa.; and Julia 
J., deceased, who was born October 18, 1841, 
was the wife of Gen. Jesse Merrill. Mrs. Mc- 
Cleery died in 1842 aged thirty-six. 

John McCleery was etlucated at the Milinn 
.Vcadeniy.Tuscarora .\cademy. Juniata, and in 
Princeton College, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1858. Immediately after leaving col- 
lege he accejjted a position as assistant princi- 
])al of the Milton Academ_\', being associated 
with l\e\-. W. T. \\'\lie, and at the same time 
he read law with Hon. James Pollock, and 
continued until the Ci\il War broke out, when 
he entered the serxice, being mustered in 
June I, 1861, as cai)tain of Company H, of 
the 5th Regiment of Pennsyhania Reserves. 
He was severely wounded in the Ijattle of the 
Charles City Cross Road in the seven days' 
fighting before Richmond, and was taken 
prisoner on June 30, 1862, being incarcerate<l 
iri Lib!)}- Prison. There his health was im- 
paired and he has never completely regained 
it as his injuries finally resulted in paralysis. 
Ujion his release from Libby he was mustered 
out on account of his physical disability, but 
as he later greatly improved in health, he was 
mustered in as a lieutenant-colonel with the 
28th Emergency Regiment at Harris])urg. 
After the close of the war he returned home 
and began to practice law, but the duties were 
too arduous for one who had undergone the 
great physical strain to which he was sub- 
jected during the war, and he finally gave it 
up. He has since been closely allied with all 
enterprises organized to further the interests 
of Milton. He was recently identified with, 
the Milton Car Works; the IMilton Rolling 



678 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Mills; is a director of the Milton Water 
Works; .and is president of the Milton Trust 
t^ Safe Deposit Company. It was largely 
through his efforts that the latter was organ- 
ized on February 17, 1887, it being incorpo- 
rated with an authorized capital of $250.- 
000.00, one-half of which was paid in in cash. 
Mr. McCleery was married June 6, 1866, to 
Mary Helen Marr, a daughter of David and 
Hettie L. (Davis) Marr, and a great-grand- 
daughter of Joseph and Susanna (Price) Marr. 
Josejih was born in Northampton County, 
]'a., June 15, 1750, and in 1793 he came uj) 
the West IJranch of the Susquehanna River 
t(i Turbot township, where he purchased of 
the widow of Turbot I'rancis a tract of 379 
acres of land, it being a [jortion of the estate 
known as "'.riie Colonel's Reward." It was a 
chiiice piece of land for which he paid five 
])ounds per acre, and in 1793 he located upon 
it with his family, lie lived there the re- 
mainder of his life, dying Scptemlier 3, i79f); 
his wife died December 27, 1826. His wife's 
maiden name was Susanna Price, and she was 
born .\pril 27, 1754. They had tiie follow- 
ing children: Mary, the wife of Robert Mar- 
tin; Hannah, the wife of William Hull, whose 
sketch also appears in (his work; David: Will- 
iam; Joseph; and Alem, a ])rominent attor- 
ney who has twice served as congressman. 
1 );i\id Marr, (he father of Mrs. McCleery, was 
born (jn the old homeslcad, .-uul was a farmer j 
by occupation, owning two hue farms. He 
later became a railroad contractor and finally 
becrune a woolen manufacturer at White Deer 
Mills, Union County. He died at the age 
of forty-seven years. He married Hettie L. 
Davis and they had four children: Annie 
Eliza, the wife of John .\. Grier; Mary Helen, 
the wife of our subject; William, who died 
in infancy; and Rebecca, who also died young. 
l\Ir. Marr formed a second union with Harriet 



Matchin. by whom he had five children: 
William: Alem; Brainanl: Alfred; and Jean- 
ette. 

Mr. and Mrs. McCleery have two children, 
namely: Edward Heber, a physician of Kane, 
Pa., who attended Lawrencevillc School, was 
a member of the class of 1888 at Princeton, 
and graduated from the Jefferson ]\Iedical 
College in 1890; and Margaret Pollock. Po- 
litically our subject is a stanch Repul)Iican, 
but has never accepted an office. He is a 
conscientious member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Socially he is a member of the G. 
A. R. post; and also the Union \"eteran's 
Legion. 




OHN WHITELEY, one of the most 
progressive residents of Elkland town- 
ship. Sullivan Count}-, is a man of ster- 
ling worth and integrity, and is one who has 
won his way to a high station in life through 
his individual efforts. Pie is a son of Joseph 
and Mary (Hague) \\'hiteley, was born in 
Lancaster.shire, Eng., March 31, 1838, and 
was christened in the Olden Episcopal 
Church. 

Josc])h Whiteley, the father of our subject, 
was born in England and was a cotton manu- 
facturer by trade, being an expert in his line. 
In 184T he emigrated from his native land to 
this country, locating in the city of I'hiladel- 
pliia; but, desirous of having a home of his 
own. he later removed to Sullivan County, 
where land could be obtained at a reasonable 
])rice and where manv of his friends had pre- 
viously locateil. In 1846 he bought fifty acres 
of land which had been little changed from its 
primitive state l)y the hand of man. .\fter 
making a partial clearing he purchased an ad- 
joining fifty acres wdiich had been partly 
cleared by Mr. Ainworth, and upon which had 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



570 



lieen built a house. Into that he moved witli 
Iiis family and sul)se(|uently purchased a third 
tract of fifty acres, all of which he cleared up 
and turned into valuable land. On this third 
tract one of the first clearings in the county 
had lieen made; at the time of its purchase it 
contained a log house, the floors of which 
were made of split hewed planks, and it con- 
tained the first panel door in the township. 
Our subject has about four feet of this plank- 
ing aiifl he ]5rizes it \ery highly. This land 
has been divided and is now owned by three 
persons: J. Barnes, who has the homestead; 
A. Dey, Esq.; and Mrs. Bryan. Joseph 
W'hitele}- w ;is a man of great industry and un- 
tiring in his energ\'. In the summer months 
he li\ed upon the farm and cultivated the soil, 
whilst during the winter he worked at his 
trade in Philadelphia, following thai plan for 
several years. \\ hen he came to Sullix'an 
County he was not very well pro\-ided with 
the world's goods, owning a grey horse, a 
wagon, and fifty cents, but he led an exem- 
plary life and at the time of his retirement to 
Forksville, a short time prior to his demise, he 
was a well-to-do man. The onl}- part remain- 
ing of the wagon in which our subject came to 
Sullivan County is the singletree bolt. Both 
Joseph and his wife lived to reacli an advanced 
age and lie buried in the Bethel Cemetery. His 
union with Mary Hague resulted in the fol- 
lowing offspring: Ann, wife of John Wright; 
John, our subject; \\'illiam, a veteran of the 
Civil War; Elizabeth, wife of \\'illiam C. 
Marsden; Martha, wife of Daniel Bedford; 
and Mary, wife of E. W. Snell. In religious 
views he was strongly attached to the estab- 
lished English Church. Politically he was a 
^Vhig and later a Republican, serving as 
school director, supervisor, and in minor 
townshiji offices. 

John W'hitelew the subject of this sketch, 



attended the public schools and farmed with 
his father for a time, after which he peddled 
^'ankce notions with nuich success. He next 
bought a farm near Bethel Church consisting" 
of 1 14 acres, erected new buildings, and has 
since followed farming. He is a hustling and 
energetic man. and in whate\er line he has 
engaged has been very successful. He is a 
man of strong character, leads an honest life, 
and has a large circle of acquaintances and 
friends. 

Mr. \\'hiteley was joined in w'edlock with 
Elsie Uikeman, a daughter of Parks Dikeman 
of Tompkins County, N. Y., and they Imve 
fi\e chiklren: Joe, a stock dealer, who mar- 
ried .\da W'alker, and has two children, Renic 
and \'ibert; Mary, who was a school teacher 
and postmistress for several years and is the 
w ife of Orville Bartow, and has three children. 
Earl, LaRue, and Brice; Ora, wife of Eugene 
Avery, who has one child, John Roy, and 
taught school for three years; Susie, a mu- 
sician; and Roy, fourteen years old, who lives 
at home. 

Mr. Whiteley is a Republican in politics 
and has served several years as auditor and 
poormaster. 




.\.MES VISICK, a prosperous and en- 
terprising business man of Mount Car- 
mel, Pa., is efficiently serving in the po- 
sition of outside-foreman of the Pennsylvania 
Colliery. He is a son of Theophilus and Eliz- 
abeth (Moyle) Visick, and was born in the 
County of Cornwall, England, March 23, 
1848. 

Mr. Visick traces his ancestry on the pater- 
nal side to a French Huguenot origin, and on 
the maternal side to Scotch-Irish. 

Theophilus Visick, the father of our subject, 
w as a resident of the most active and wealthy 



580 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



parish in tlie wondcrfullv ricli mining district 
of County Cornwall. Jle was a machinist b)' 
\ocation. and througluiul his hfc worked at 
that trade about tlie co])per and tin mines. 

James X'isick was educated in the common 
sclujols (if his native town, after which he 
learned the trade of a luachinist and engine- 
dri\er, at w liich he continued until he reached 
the age of twenty-one )ears, when he set sail 
for this country, lie first located at Mt. Riga, 
Dutchess Count}-, N. Y., wiiere he plied his 
trade with good results for four years, in con- 
nection with otlier branches of the mining 
business. He ac(|uircd an extended knowl- 
edge of the business and in 1873 accepted a 
position in the anthracite coal region of Penn- 
sylvania, erecting maciiinery for Mr. Holden 
Chester at the Luke Fidler Colliery. His next 
position was with the Mineral Railroad & 
Mining Company, by which he was employed 
to look after machinery. He remained with 
that company until after the Union company 
was organized, and on December i, 1884, be- 
came outside-foreman of the Pennsylvania 
Colliery at Mount Carmel, Northumberland 
County. He is a man of ability, faithful to the 
best interests of his employers, and stands 
high in the estimation of his fellow-workmen 
and fellow-citizens. 

Mr. Visick was joinetl in the holy bonds of 
wedlock with i\nna Maria Brey, .Vugust 11, 
1868, and tiiey are the happy parents of the 
following children; Minnie, who is at home 
with her parents; William, who is a black- 
smith at the colliery; Clifford, who also resides 
at home; and Mvrtle. 



OHN F. WELSH, whose wide expe- 
rience in mining operations makes his 
services invaluable as inside-foreman 
of the Burnside Colliery, Shamokin, Pa., is 



a gentleman who has ever e.xerted a pow- 
erful influence in behalf of the working man. 

In 185J he came to the United States, locat- 
ing in New York City. Li the spring of 
1853 he crossed the continent and settled in 
California for a period of four months, when 
he joined Walker's filibustering expedition to 
Nicaragua. Aftcrw ards he went to New York 
State, where he enlisted in the Federal Army 
during the Civil War, serving with credit for 
a period of three years. The war having closed 
he returned to England, where he married, 
but soon after again came to this country, 
taking up mining at Tonsville, Schuylkill 
County, Pa. This has since been his vocation, 
and with the exception of some time spent 
in the co])per regions of the United States 
and the gold fields of i\laska, he has mined 
in the anthracite coal region. He has always 
been devoted to the best interests of his em- 
ployers, who \alue his services highly, and 
stands among the foremost men of the bor- 
ough. 

For the advanced position he took in the 
furtherance of the interest of his fellow-work- 
men he attained much prominence in the min- 
ing circles, and in 1878 the appreciation of his 
eft'orts were shown by his election to the State 
Legislature of Pennsylvania from the Second 
District of Schuylkill Count)-. He served two 
terms in that cajiacity and his career at Har- 
risljurg was marked by the greatest activity. 
He opposed all measures which in his opinion 
were not for the i)ublic welfare, and aided in 
passing a number of bills which are now laws, 
among them being: the Night School Bill, 
the Store Order Bill, and the Ambulance Bill. 
He also strongly advocated the eight-hour 
law-, which never passed through the House, 
and his honest efforts were heartily com- 
mended by organized labor bodies throughout 
the country. He was also at one time nomi- 



^ 





JAMES U. M. SHEW. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



583 



nated for State Senator from the Schuylkill 
district. In 1875 he was president of the anti- 
monopoly committee that met in Harrisburg, 
which organization wielded a potent influence 
in the presidential campaign that followed. 

Mr. Welsh was one of the organizers of the 
Miners' and Laborers' Benevolent Association 
of the anthracite coal region, of which he 
served as president for three years. He served 
as president and also as vice-president of the 
Industrial Congress of the United States, a 
mark of high distinction. He was the first 
memljcr of the Knights of Labor in Schuylkill 
County. He came to Northumberland Coun- 
ty in 1886 and since that time has taken no 
active part in politics. 



AMES U. M. SHE\V, whose portrait 
is presented on the opposite page, one 
of the bright and hustling young busi- 
ness men of Light Street and general superin- 
tendent of the Bloomsburg Paper Mills, was 
born in Gunpowder, Baltimore County, Md., 
May 6, 1869. He is a son of James M. and 
Anna Mary (r'isher) Shew, and grandson of 
Joseph and Mary (Shew) Shew. 

Joseph Shew, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, "as a native of London, England, who, 
when young, immigrated to America, locating 
in Baltimore County, Md., where he engaged 
in the cultivation of tlie soil. He was also a 
surveyor and followed that profession in con- 
nection with farming. He was constable of 
his township and \\ as a veteran of the War of 
1812, serving as an emergency man at Balti- 
more. ]\Id. He was united in the bonds of 
v\edlock with ^lary Shew, a native of Vir- 
ginia, and they reared a family of four chil- 
dren, namely: James M.. the father of our 
subject; Henry, who died while en route for 



Denver, Col., on business in behalf of the 
Order of Railway Conductors, — he was a con- 
ductor on the Baltimore Central Railroad a 
number of years; Jacob, who resides at Port 
Deposit, Md., and is a machinist and engineer 
by trade; and Mary, the wife of Charles Heiser 
of Baltimore, Md. 

James M. Shew, father of our subject, was 
born in Baltimore County, Md., September 9, 
183 1, and at the age of seven years began 
working in the paper mills of Baltimore Coun- 
ty, which were owned Iiy \\'illiam H. Hoff- 
man. He remained in the mills forty-four 
years, during which time he was promoted 
several times, in 1858 being made manager 
of the entire plant, which consisted of four 
mills, Gunpowder, Marljle Vale, Clipper, and 
Rockdale, all of which are located in Balti- 
more County. Later he removed to Blooms- 
burg and purchased a half interest in the 
Trench Paper Mills of Fishing Creek town- 
ship, the firm being known as Trench & 
Shew; two years later he returned to his form- 
er employers and again managed the Balti- 
more mills for three and one-half years. He 
is now a resident of Light street. He is own- 
er of the Bloomsburg Paper Mills, and also 
conducts a blacksmith and repair shop. Po- 
litically he is an unwavering Republican and 
firmly upholds the principles of his party. 
On -February 6, 1852, he was wedded to Anna 
Mary Fisher, a daugiiter of Lewis Fisher of 
York County, Pa., and a family of eleven 
children blessed their happy home, namely: 
Sarah, deceased; Margaret J.; Lydia, who 
wedded Robert J. Ruhl; Rebecca, the wife 
of John B. Kidd of Baltimore, Md.; Mary, 
united in marriage to D. S. Richards of Bal- 
timore, Md.; James U. IM., the subject of this 
review; Josephine, wife of George B. Smith of 
Scott township, Columbia County; Irene, who 
married W. M. Ent of Light Street. Columbia 



684 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



("ouiit}'; Pliocljc: ami jdhn W'., a i)ai)cr nian- 
iifactiirer of Bloc>msl)ur_i;'. The father of our 
subject is a member of Wasliinoton Lodge, 
No. 265, F. & A. M., of Bloomsl)urg-: Blooms- 
l)iirg ('liai)ter Xo. 218, R. A. M.: Mt. Moriali 
Council No. 10. 1\. it S. M.; Crusade Com- 
niandcrv Xo. 12, K. T.; Orient Conclave, No. 
J. Red Cross of Constantine; and Caldwell 
Consistory. S. P. \\. S., 32nd degree, N. M. J. 

janics I'. ]\r. Shew received his intellectual 
training in the pidjlic schools of his native 
liiwn and at the age of eighteen years began 
working in the paper mills of Bloomsburg. 
which were owned by his father. Since 1894 
our subject has been general superintendent 
of the mills and is one of the most popular 
workmen in the plant. He is also recognized 
as one of the most valued citizens of Blooms- 
burg and is held in high esteem for his many 
excellent trails of character. 

^!r. Shew is a member of \\'ashington 
Lodge, Xo. 265, F. I'v A. ^1. of Bloomsljurg. 
Politically he is an ardent Rei)ul)lican. Ori 
May 23, 1888, our subject was united in the 
bonds of matrimony with Permelia A. Brown, 
a daughter of the late Charles Brown, and 
they are the parents of two children: Guy, and 
Helen Martha. Dr. Fredrica, the maternal 
great-grandfather of our subject's wife, was 
a native of France and was a physician in 
the .\merican .\rm}- during the Revolutionary 
\\':u\ Joseph Brown, the paternal grand- 
father of our subject's wife, was a resident or 
Bloomsburg and was the progenitor of a fam- 
ily of sons, namely: William H., bookkeeper 
and paymaster on the Lehigh Valley R. R. 
and a resident of Cunningham, Pa.; Hiram, 
a- resident of Beech Haven, Pa.; George, pro- 
prietor of the Central House of Bloomsburg; 
Clark, died at Hamburg, Pa.; and Dr. Rob- 
ert, deceased, who was a well-to-do physi- 
cian residing at Tower Flill, Pa. 



Charles I'.rown, the father of Mvs. Shew, 
was born in IShnjmsburg and during his 
younger days learned the trade of a tailor 
which he followed a number of years. He 
was for some time foreman in the tailor-sho]) 
owned by George Bnrch of Manayunk, Pa. 
He passeil from this life February 29, 1887, 
at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity and was well 
\ ersed in Masonry. Iveligionsh- he was a 
member of the Methodist Church, lie was 
united in wedhick with Lydia I'^redrica, a 
daughter of Henr)' Fredrica, formerly a resi- 
dent of Mififlin\ille, Columbia County, Pa. 
I'"ive sons and two daughters blessed the home 
of Air. and Mrs. llrown, namely: Clark \\ . ; 
Joseph, deceased; E. Reed; Albert C. ; Daniel 
L. ; ALirtha J., wife of William XTewman; anil 
Permelia A., wife of our subject. 



OIIX McELWEE. Another prominent 
and ])opular business man, well and fa- 
\orably known in railroad circles in the 
Se\enteenth Congressional District, is our 
subject, who is special agent for the Xorthern 
Central R. R. Co. He is actively engaged in 
looking after the interests of the company in 
any and every line in the vicinities of Sunbury, 
W'ilkesbarre, Hazleton, Pottsville, Tamacpia, 
and other sections. His interests are closely 
identitied with those of the company he repre- 
sents; and as he is thoroughly alive and en- 
ergetic, he is quick to secure advantages for 
the com])an\- in detecting and reporting im- 
|)Ositions and frauds. 

Afr. McElwee is of Irish descent, as his 
name indicates, and was born in County Don- 
egal, Ireland, in 1843. He is a son of George 
and Mary (Morrison) McElwee, and immi- 
grated to America when about eighteen years 
old, havinij recei\ed his education in Ireland. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



685 



He first locatCtd in Tamaqua, Schuylkill Coun- 
ty, Pa., for a short time, but subsequently 
moved into Luzerne County. Not being fa- 
vorably impressed \vith his abode, and believ- 
ing the advantages were better at his former 
place of residence, he returned to Tamaqua in 
1862 and remained there about one year, when 
he again mo\-ed, locating in Shamokin. 

Our subject found employment in and 
around the mines until April 25, 1865, when 
he entered the emplo}^ of the Northern Cen- 
tral R. R. Conipany as brakeman, was soon 
advanced to the position of fireman, and fi- 
nally appointed a conductor. At this post he 
was always pleasant and accommodating, but 
scrui)ulously exact and honest in the dis- 
charge of his duty, and served the compau)' 
so well in this capacity that he was still further 
promoted to the position of yard-master in 
1872. His proficiency in performing the du- 
ties of this position is fully attested by the 
fact that he remained yard-master for a period 
of twenty-four years, discontinuing in 1896 to 
accept his present confidential and trusted po- 
sition, that of special agent, as before men- 
tioned. 

Mr. McElwee carefully avoids licing drawn 
into the meshes of politics. He is such a thor- 
ough railroad man that he takes little interest 
in matters not pertaining to the success of 
his company. Our sul)ject was twice mar- 
ried and has two children as the result of his 
first marriage: John l\., l)orn January 20, 
iSfi^, now in the employ of the Northern Cen- 
tral R. R. Co. in the capacity of engineer; and 
Mary Jane, born August 30, 1876, who resides 
at home. 



AMUEL F. GILBERT, M. D., a phy- 
sician of well-known repute, now liv- 
ing in Elysburg. Northumberland 
County, Pa., is a son of Jacob and Susan (Fet- 




terhoff) Gilbert, and was born in Halifax 
township, Dauphin County, Pa., August 4, 

1845- 

The paternal great-grandfather, Samuel 
Gilbert, was born August 10, 1743, and died 
April 18, 1826. He married Catherine Saul, 
who was born December 11, 1757, and died 
June II, 1805. He was a tanner and lived in 
Lebanon County, Pa. The grandfather, Jacob 
Gilbert, was born April 2, 1783, in Lebanon 
County, and moved, in 181 5, to Lykens Val- 
ley and later to Millersburg. His first wife 
was Elizabeth Long of Dauphin County, who 
was born March 17, 1785, and died February 
19, 1827. His second wife was Elizabeth 
Mark, who was born Decemljer 23, 1783, and 
died April 10, 1854. His first union resulted 
in six children: Samuel, born October 2, 1805; 
John, born December 12, 1806; Jacob, our 
subject's father: Sarah, born September 24, 
1809; Catherine, born August 30, 1812; and 
George, born December 31, 181 3, and died 
November 10, 1869. 

Jacob Gilbert, the father of our subject, was 
born near Jonestown, Lel)anon County, Pa., 
Pebruary 24, 1808. and married Susan Fetter- 
hoit, daughter of Col. Fetterhoff of Lykens 
Valley, Dauphin County; Mrs. Gilbert was 
born February 20, 1808. Jacob Gilbert was 
a farmer, miller and tanner by trade, and car- 
ried on farming in Halifax township the great- 
er part of his life, dying there on June 10, 
1888. He was very active in politics, being a 
stanch Republican, and holding many offices. 
He was a member of the United Brethren 
Church, being one of the leading workers. His 
wife died in 1882. They had nine children, 
as follows: George, a retired farmer living in 
Halifax, Pa., who was born December 11, 
1829, and married Lavinia Garman; John, 
born December 23, 1831, died April 21, 1853; 
Mary, born July 7, 1834, married Paul Riland, 



586 



liOOK OF BIOGRAl'FIIES. 



a retired farmer of Halifax, Pa.; Elizabetli, 
Ihii'ii Ma_\' C), 1837. married Amos Cirim. and 
Uiey li\c in Halifax, Pa.; Sarah, horn Sep- 
tember 16, 1839, died September 28, 1842; 
Catherine, born December 16, 1841, died Jan- 
uary 9, 1842: Jacob, born April 21, 1843, died 
IMarcli \(\ 1844; Samuel F., our subject; 
Isaac, a retired farmer of Halifax, Pa., born 
April ji). 1849. The children were all edu- 
cated in the ])ubHc schools. 

After conipletinj:;;' his education Dr. Gilbert 
taught school for five years and then attended 
Lebanon \'alley College. In 1870 he entered 
the L"ni\ersity of Pennsylvania and was grad- 
uated in 1872, when he at once began prac- 
ticing in Sunbury, Pa. He then moved to 
.\ugusta\ille, Xorthumberland Count}-, l^a., 
where he ])racticed for four years, going from 
there in 1876 to Elysburg-, Pa., his present lo- 
cation. He was married on February 17, 1876. 
to I'^lla Seasholtx. of I'jjper Augusta township, 
a tlanghter of Jacob and Ruth (Rockefellow) 
Seasholtz, both of Upper Augusta township. 
Mr. Seasholtz was a contractor. He is dead, 
but his wife still resides in Up])er Augusta 
townshi]). Dr. Gilbert took up the practice of 
Dr. Robbins of Elysburg, and has built up a 
\cr_\- large and lucrative clientage in Northum- 
berland County and adjoining districts. The 
Doctor has several farms and also owns the 
Dr. Robbins homestead, on which he now 
lives. He is a strong temperance worker, a 
member of the F. and A. M. Lodge, No. 414, 
of El\sburg, and an attendant of the Re- 
formed Church, of which his wife is a mem- 
ber. He has been blessed with several chil- 
dren, as follows: Amy E., born August 11, 
1879; Carrie C, born August 17, 1880; Ruth, 
born .April 3, 1887; and Grace, born February 
2, 1889; all of whom reside at home. The 
people of Elysljurg and vicinity speak only in 
the highest terms of Dr. Gilbert, and he has 



a host of warm, well-wishing friends. He be- 
gan the battle of life a ])oor l)o_\', but with un- 
tiring energy and unllinching will he has 
reached the goal of success. 



"LT " g. HART:MAX, one of the well-to- 
1*1 . do and intluential citizens of Danville, 
I^a., who is the proprietor of the 
Xcnioloton Silk ]\Iills of that town, was born 
at Scranton, Pa., May 3, 1861, and is a son 
of John G. Hartman, deceased, who was a 
nati\e of Germany and a mechanic b\' tracle. 
F. Q. Hartman i)ossesses a good education 
which he recei\'ed in the public schools of 
Scranton. Lea\ing school when a mere lad 
he sought eniplovment in the Sagnoit Silk 
Mills of Scranton remaining with that com- 
pany many years during which time he be- 
came thoroughly familiar with the manufac- 
ture of silk. His wide experience in busi- 
ness affairs attracted the attention oi the Dela- 
ware & Hudson Railroad Company ofificials 
who offered him a position as assistant-pay- 
master of the railroad, which position he ac- 
cepted: not only did he fulfill his duties with 
great credit to himself but to his superior ofli- 
cers as well, and upon his resignation from 
that position of trust he was begged to recon- 
sider his action, and as an inducement, he 
was offered an increase in salar_\-, but our sub- 
ject had determined to enter into business on 
his own account. He remoxed to Dan\ire 
and erected a large two-story brick building 
53 by 125 feet on \\'ater street and engaged 
in the niaiuifacture of silk. The nii'.l is 
equipped with sixteen thousand spindles and 
gives employment to about three hundred 
hands who are kept constantly busy in order 
to keep up with the orders. In 1896 the mill 
was destroyed by a cyclone and our subject 
sustained a se\ere loss: he immeiliatcly re- 




GEORGE G. BAKER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



589 



Iniilt and enlarged the mill, which is ecjuipped 
with tlie most modern machinery. The mill 
i.-^ lighted throughont 1j_\- electricit}-, which is 
supplied 1)_\- its own dx-nanio. 

Our subject was united in the I)onds of 
matrimony to Geue\'ic\e Atwnod, a daugh- 
ter of Eugene Atwood. a silk manufacturer 
of Stonington, Conn. Mr. Ilarlnian is con- 
sidered an important factor in the business 
and industrial interests of Danville, aiding ma- 
terially in de\elo|)ing its resources. 



/2y EORGE G. C.\KER, the well- 
\ 1^ I known undertaker of the town of 
I'lloomsburg, Columbia County, and 
;i nuMuber of the (Inu, Baker & W'anicli. man- 
niaclnrci's of the U bed s]iring, is a son of 
b'rederiek 11. and Jane (Seward) Baker, and 
was born in Huntingdon, Luzerne County, 
I'a., October 20, 1864. 

Frederick Baker, the father of our subject, 
was born in Cambria, Pa., where he followed 
farming and milling and was a very prosper- 
ous man. He was united in matrimonial 
bonds with Jane Seward, \\ho was a native 
of Fairmont Springs, Pa., and tliey reared a 
family of cliildren, one of whom was George 
(r., the subject of this personal history. 

George G. Baker was reared on his fath- 
er's farm and after attaining man's estate went 
to Shickshinny, Luzerne County, where he 
l)ecame an undertaker and cabinetmaker, un- 
der the tutelage of John L. Pealer. He 
o])ened a business at Pleasant Hill in connec- 
tion with John Baker, continuing for a period 
of two years. He then disposed of his inter- 
est and associated with P. P. Copeland at 
Shickshinny, until the latter's death, when he 
removed to Bloomsburg and bought out the 
business of E. R. l""urnian and has conducted 



it since November 29, 1887. He is an hon- 
est and conscientious worker and possesses 
the patronage of the leading citizens of 
Bloomsburg and innnediate vicinity, lie has 
fine hearses and one of the finest and l)est- 
groomed teams in the county. He patented 
the U bed spring, which is the most perfect 
s])iral bed spring luade, and, in partnership 
with John X. \\'auich of Bloomsburg, manu- 
factures them in all styles and sizes. Mr. I!ak- 
er is genial and possesses the friendship and 
esteem of all with whom he is accjuainted. 

Our subject fcjrmed a matrimonial alliance 
with Lenora C. Sterling, a daughter of Clin- 
ton li. Sterling of Bloomsburg, and thev lie- 
came the parents of four children, namel\-: 
Charles C. ; Lucy; Robert; and Mary. .Mr. 
I'aker is a member and past grand of the I. 
( ). ( ). F.; is ])ast captain of the Sons of 
Veterans; past president of the I'. O. S. of 
A.; and master workman of the A. O. U. W. 
Politically he is a stanch supporter of the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party. I\Ir. Baker's 
portrait is shown on a page in proximity to 
this. 



rHOMAS S. L.MRD, a blacksmith of 
considerable prominence at Nord- 
mont. Laporte township, Sullivan 
County, Pa., is purely of Scotch descent, as 
his name indicates. He is the second child 
and eldest son of William and Sarah (McNeil) 
Laird, and was born at W'ashiugtonville, 
Montour County, Pa., January 21, 1831. 

Col. William Laird was the first of the Laird 
family to come to America. He was born in 
Scotland and came to this country at the age 
of seven years in company with some friends. 
He grew to manhood in the midst of the most 
e.xciting times in our country's historv, at ;i 



590 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



time when young men for love of country 
left fathers, mothers, and sweethearts, and 
husl)an<ls left wives and families, that they 
might battle for the cause of freedom. It is 
almost needless to say that he responded to 
the call to arms. He served as a private under 
the illustrious \\'ashington in 1755. and dur- 
ing the Revolutionary War he served as cap- 
tain of Washington's body-guard, which fact 
is to-day the boast of his descendants. He 
wedded Rosanna Gaston, a Scotch emigrant, 
and settled in Northumberland County, Pa., 
where he Ijought a farm and became a tiller 
of the soil, an occupation he followed until cut 
ofY by death at the extreme age of ninety- 
seven years. His companion also lived to a 
very old age. Realizing that our country, de- 
pleted by the ravages of war, wouUl need in 
the future many brave men and women to 
support the cause for which they fought, Col. 
Laird brought into the world sixteen children, 
eight boys and eight girls. It is not absolutely 
known how many of the girls reached ma- 
turity, as women sometimes change their 
names early in life, and their identity is easily 
lost. But the following boys grew to man- 
hood: Thomas; John; James; William; 
Samuel; and Matthew. 

Thomas, the eldest of these, was the grand- 
father of our subject. He was born in Derry 
township, then a part of Northumberland 
County, Pa., and died at the age of sixty-five 
years, having been a farmer all his life. He 
participated in the War of 181 2 and was 
wounded at the battle of Lundy's Lane. He 
was united in marriage with Annie McBride, 
a Scotch emigrant, who, upon dying, left him 
with seven children, namely: Martha; Ro- 
sanna; Sarah; Esther; Eliza; William; and 
Thomas. Mr. Laird formed a second matri- 
monial alliance with Hester McReynolds, and 
they had two children: Anne, and Russell. 



William Laird, the father of our subject, 
was bom in Derry township, Columbia Coun- 
ty, Pa. Early in life he learned the trade of 
a blacksmith, working at his chosen calling 
for a canal company, being thus employed 
when his life was cut short by a misfortune 
which deprived his wife and children of a lov- 
ing husband and father. He was accidentally 
drowned at Carrasawaga Falls, Dauphin 
County, Pa., while yet in the prime and vigor 
of manhood, having only attained the age of 
thirty-five. He was married to Sarah McNeil, 
who survived him, having borne him four chil- 
dren, viz.: ^lary, who died in infancy; Thomas 
S., our subject; Ann; ami Samuel. 

Our subject is particularly fortunate in one 
respect, there are many interesting facts and 
adventures by which he can remember his 
forefathers, and this is not alone true of his 
father's family, for there are many thrilling 
experiences told of his maternal ancestors, 
one of which deserves a place in this sketch. 
Sarah (McNeil) Laird was the daughter of 
Samuel McNeil of Columbia County, who was 
of Scotch descent. Her mother's maiden name 
was Annie Davis, who was taken prisoner by 
the Indians during the Revolutionary War at 
Chillisquaque Creek, seven of her sisters and 
brothers being killed at the same time. She 
was kept in captivity for five years, when Ezra, 
her brother, who was in the Colonial Army at 
the time of her capture, went to Canada, 
where she was held, and succeeded in securing 
her release. After her husband's demise our 
sul)ject's mother formed a second marital 
union with Benjamin J. McWillianis. no i.ssue 
resulting from their marriage. 

Thomas S. Laird learned the blacksmith's 
trade by serving an apprenticeship under Jo- 
seph Green of Hughesville for a period of two 
years. He then started in business for him- 
self at Sonestown, Sullivan County, Pa., 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



591 



where he remained one year; then he moved 
successively to Smithsville, Taylorville, 
Hughesville. and finally settled at Nordmont 
in 1876, where he is considered an expert in 
his business. He was united in marriage with 
Sarah Jane Glidewell of Davidson township, 
Sullivan County, and their home was blessed 
by the presence of nine children, as follows: 
Jerome; \\'illiaHi; Coralynn; Caroline; 
Amanda; iMcClellan, now deceased; ■ Elean- 
ora; Russell; and Estella. It gives great 
pleasure to speak of a good man and to note 
what he has done, and we feel sure there are 
few men who more fully enjoy the confidence 
and good will of their fellow-men than does 
Mr. T.aird. .\s to the question of religion and 
where people shall worship, he expresses 
iiiiiad and liberal \ic\\s. In ])olitics he up- 
holds Ihe ])riiiciples of the l'eo])le's part)-; has 
lieeu on the election board twenty-one years 
as judge, inspector or clerk; and was auditor 
of Davidson township for eighteen years. 




I RAM M. HAAS, who is one of the 
most energetic and progressive busi- 
ness men of the town of Sun- 
bury, is the well-known operator of the Sun- 
bury Flour Mills and is also extensively en- 
gaged in farming. He is a son of John S. and 
Margaret (Deppen) Haas, and was born in 
Jackson township, Northumberlantl County, 
March 4, 1846. 

The Haas family originated in Germany and 
our subject is the grandson of Lawrence 
Haas, who was a man of considerable means, 
but lost nearly all his wealth by unwiselv go- 
ing bail for supposed friends. He was the 
father of John S. Haas, the father of our sub- 
ject, who was born in Northumberland Coun- 
ty in 1812, and resided in Mahanoy and Jack- 



son townships until 1850, when he moved to 
Upper Augusta township, which is now within 
the corporate limits of Sunbury. His occu- 
pation in life was that of a farmer, but he also 
owned and operated the mill which is now 
conducted by his son. He was a good busi- 
ness man and was quite successful in life. Po- 
litically he was a Democrat of the Jacksonian 
type and was an ardent supporter of Jackson,. 
Socially he was an Odd Fellow. He was 
united in marriage to Margaret Deppen, and 
of the children born tcj them but one, Jliram 
M., our subject, grew to maturity. Mr. Haas 
closed his c\'es in final sleep in 1875, aged 
se\enty-fi\e \'ears, and his beloved wife sur- 
vived him until 187S, when she. too, was called 
Home. 

Ilirani M. Unas was but four seru's of age 
when lie was brought to L'ppcr Augusta 
township by his parents, and he has made the 
tow nship his home ever since. After attending 
the public schools for several years he took 
special courses of study in Sunbury Academy 
and later in the Missionary Institute. After 
olitaining a good education he left school in 
1867 and spent five months in Eastman's 
Business College, where he received an excel- 
lent business training. He then returned home 
and worked upon his father's farm for a few- 
years, after which he operated the Sunbury 
Mills, continuing successfully until a few years 
after his father's demise, when he leased the 
mill for a term of years and again took up ag- 
ricultural pursuits. Subsequently he again op- 
erated the mill in connection with farming, 
and has since continued to operate the mill. 
He makes flour by steam, water, and roller 
process, and it finds a ready sale on the mar- 
ket, being of the highest grade. Mr. Haas is 
a man of exceptional business qualifications 
and under his .skilful guidance the affairs of 
the n-iill are in a thriving condition and the 



rm 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



business is netting the owner a handsome in- 
come. He has been equally successful in the 
manipulation of his affairs u])on his two farms, 
both of which are located in Upper Auousta 
township, one consisting of 140 acres and the 
other of 6^. JMr. Haas stands high in the esti- 
mation of his fellow-citizens and numbers his 
friends by the score. 

Our subject was joined in marriage to Ro- 
setta Hull, a daughter of John f lull of Snyder- 
town, Northumberland County, on May i, 
1870, and their happy union is blessed by the 
birth of eight children: John F., who married 
Harriet O. Dctrich of Sunbur}-, and is mana- 
ger for his father; Edward L., of Sunbury; 
Isaac J., who married Amy E. Fasold of Sun- 
])ury: Hiram \\'.; Mary M.; Essie; Nellie 
M.; and Marion V. Politically Mr. Haas is a 
firm supporter of the Democratic party, tak- 
ing an active interest in local politics. He 
has served as school director and recorder. 
Sociall)- he is a member of the Ro\al Arca- 
num. 



OHN HENRY ROTHROCK, M. D. 
We have the pleasure to present to our 
readers the biography of one of Sones- 
town's foremost ])hysicians, whose excellent 
reputation for professional honor and skill has 
been acquired through a general practice of 
about fifty years. Dr. Rothrock possesses 
that ])eculiar insight into the hidden causes of 
\arious forms of disease which will ever be the 
greatest recommendation of a successful phy- 
sician. A case once definitely diagnosed loses 
nnich of the dread that surrounds it. and the 
mistakes that are occasionally made by even 
the best of practitioners result from incorrect 
diagnoses. Dr. Rothrock was born at Shrews- 
bury, Pa., seventy-eight years ago, and is a 
son of Jacob and Sarah (Yost) Rothrock. 



Jacob Rothrock was born at York, Pa., and 
early in life learned the trade of a saddle and 
harness-maker, and followed that occupation 
at Williamsport, Pa., the rest of his active 
career. He died at the age of fifty-eight years. 
Mr. Rothrock was united in marriage to Sarah 
Yost, who died at the age of seventy-eight 
years, and this union was blessed by the birth 
of the following children: Elizabeth, de- 
ceased;- Emeline; Susan; John H.. the sub- 
ject of this narrative; Abraham; Jose])h: 
James; George; Sarah; Jacol); Mary; and 
two who died in infancy. 

Dr. John Henry Rothrock com])leled his 
elementarv education in the pulilic schools of 
Williamsport and, preferring the profession 
of medicine to any other vocation, he directed 
his studies in that direction in the office of Dr. 
Sanniel Pollock. Later he grailuated from the 
Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia 
and, returning to Williamsport after his grad- 
uation, he practiced with his preceptor one 
year. His ne.xt field of usefulness was at 
Block House settlement, near Liberty, Tioga 
County, ]\a.; then he practiced at Mifflin- 
burg. Union County, Pa.; next at Hughes- 
ville, where he remained for twenty-five years. 
Dr. Rothrock was not long in that community 
before his skill as a physician became kni)wn. 
He rapidly grew in the confidence of the peo- 
ple and soon po.ssessed an enviable reputation. 
In 1878 Dr. Rothrock, on account of failing 
health, removed to the mountainous regions 
of Sonestown, where his health has since been 
greatlv improved and he has built up a large 
and lucrative practice in the vicinity. He 
purchased the estate of the Lorah Brothers, 
which consists of eighty acres of good land, 
and carries on farming to a large extent. I-'or 
the last nine years the Doctor has given up 
driving through the country to make his calls, 
but his valuable advice is still sought by many 




BENJAMIN LEWIS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



695 



and will he as lono- as he is able to give it. 
lie has spent much time and money in fixing 
up his farm, and is rewarded by having one 
of the most beautiful homes in the township. 
Dr. l\othrock was joined in matrimonial 
bonds with Margaret Robb, a daughter of 
James Robb of Muncy township, Lycoming 
Count)-. Pa., and she passed from this life at 
child-birth. Politicall\- our suliject always has 
been loyal to the Democratic party, and has 
ser\ed in many township offices; religiously 
he is lilieral in his views, while fraternally he 
is a member of the Masonic Order. Dr. Roth- 
rock is a well-read and umisually intelligent 
citizen, and stands high in the esteem of his 
fellow-men, who respect him as one who has 
filled all the refiiiirenients of a true citizen. 




^ENJAMIN LEWIS, deceased, whose 
portrait is shown on the opposite 
page, was a prominent farmer of 
Hillsgrove township, Sullivan County, Pa., 
and resided on a fine farm of one hundred and 
eightv-four acres on the Loyalsock Creek, 
three miles from the village of Hillsgrove. 
He was a son of George and Sarah Lewis, and 
was born in \\'etlier1)y, Tuigland, September 
22, 1S42. 

Mr. Lewis was the youngest son in a fam- 
ily of fourteen children and was reared and 
educated in England. At the age of twenty- 
two years he came to .\merica, obtaining em- 
ployment as a farmhand on the farm of Jona- 
than Lewis of Hillsgrove, Sullivan County, 
I'a. It was while serving in that capacity th.at 
he met Anna Lewis, a daughter of his em- 
ployer, whom he subsequently married. They 
located on her father's farm, which is still !n 
possession of l\Irs. Lewis, and there ho fol- 



lowed farming during the remainder of his 
life, becoming one of the most progressive 
and substantial citizens of the community. 
There he built a new house, a modern home 
in every particular, and ;dso greatly impro\'ed 
the land. In private life he was greatly es- 
teemed by his fellow citizens and had a large 
circle of friends. He was called to his final 
rest October 21, 1891. 

His union with Anna Lewis resulted in the 
birth of seven children, as follows: .\lbert 
Leslie, a stonemason of Towanda, Bradford 
County, who married Minnie Jennings by 
whom he has one son, Robert; Emma Lilian: 
Maud .Vntoinctle; Sarah Eveline, whose union 
with James Grady of Binghamton, N. Y.. 
has been blessed with two children, Anna 
May and Amy Helena, — Mr. and Mrs. Grady 
reside in Jamison City, Columbia County, 
Pa.; Hattie May; Daisy Elizabeth, who died 
at the age of three months; and a son who 
also died in infancy. Politically ]\Ir. Lewis 
was a stanch Republican. In religious attach- 
ments he was a member of the Methodist 
Church. 

Jonathan Lewis, the f;uher of our subject's 
widow, was born at Sickling Hall, Wetherby, 
Eng., and came to the United States in his 
early manhood. After a few years' residence in 
this country he went back to England, an<l, 
upon returning to this country subsecpiently, 
settled near Hillsgrove. Sullivan County, Pa., 
where he passed the remainder of his days in 
agricultural ])ursuits and where many of his 
descendants are now located. Jonathan 
Lewis was united in marriage to Elizabeth 
Eawcett. Mrs. Lewis the widow of our sul)- 
ject, still lives on the farm formerly owned 
by Mr. Lewis, and is surrounded by many 
friends who love her for her many estimable 
traits of character. 



596 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



M 



R. jOSl'.I'll I'kll-'.S'rr.EY, deceased, 
(-, J was for more than forty years a 
prominent ])ractitioner of the medical 
])rofession in Nortliumhcrland, Northumljer- 
iand Connty, Ta.. wlicre tlie Priestley family 
has been cstaljiishetl since 1794, the year in 
wliich the eminent philosoplier, Rev. Joseph 
Rriestlcy, settled there. The latter was the 
most learned i,'-cntlcnian of the state of Penn- 
sylvania in his day and in tlic short space of 
two years gave to the ])nl)lic more facts con- 
cerning pnenmalic chemistry than all of the 
scientists wln) prccciled him, and 1iy his won- 
(lerfnl discovery of oxygen gas attained a 
world-wide re|)ntation. 

Rev. Josc])!) Priestley was horn at Field- 
head, ne.nr Peeds, N'nrksJiire, luigland, March 
13, 1733, and in liis early days gave evidence 
of lieing a great student; at the age of .sixteen 
years he liad an e\tendf(l knowledge of the 
Latin, (ireek, and llel)rew langnagcs. He 
entered the ministry as assistant to the Rev. 
Mr. Meadows of Needham Market, Suffolk, 
and (hiring his three years in that capacity he 
wrote and i)nblished his first book, entitled 
"The Doctrine of the .\tonement." For the 
.sul)sequent three years he devoted his efforts 
to literarv w'orks on religious subjects, and 
"Observations on the Character and Reason- 
ings of the Apostle Paul" resulted from his 
pen. In that period lie also comjiiled ami 
published an English granunar. He gave the 
subject of political economy much attention 
and after his meeting w^ith P.enjamin Franklin 
his .scientific researches relative to electricity 
began. ] fe wrote many works thereafter, the 
most prominent licing ".\n b'ssay on (iovern- 
ment," "A familiar Intrnductioii lo the Study 
of Fdectricity," and "A Chart of History," 
] laving removed to Leeds, his residence 
chanced to be in close proximity to a brew- 
cry, and his observations of fixed air caused 



by fermentation led him to make experiments 
wliose culmination was the solution of many 
problems whicii had been a perplexity to the 
scientific world. He wrote a number of pa- 
])ers in which he elucidated his theories as 
to how ii;itnri' piirilled the air for the support 
of animal lil'e, how air vitiated liy animal res- 
])iration was a pal)nkiin to \-egetaI)le life, and 
one of these papers read before the Royal 
Societ)- in 1772 obtained the honor of the 
Copley Medal. He threw enlightenment ui)on 
his discovery of nitric air; showed the use of 
a burning lens in pneumatic experiments; re- 
lated the discoveries and ])roi)erties of marine 
acid air; and he added iiuicli to the little 
theretofore known of air generated by animal 
])Utrefaclion and vegetable fermentation, and 
deteriniiK'd many f.acts relating tn tlu: dimiiui- 
lion and deterioration of air by the combus- 
tion of charcoal and the calcination of met- 
als. It was not until June or July of 1774, 
however, that his greatest discovery was 
made, that of de])hlogisticated air, which he 
announced iniblicly for the first time at the 
table of M. Lavosier in Paris in Octoljer of 
that year, and at about the same time re- 
peated his experiments before the scientific 
chemists of Paris. In 1780 he removed to 
IJirmingham, luig., where he had charge of 
a dissenting congregation. In 1789 he ex- 
])ressed his disapproval of the "Test .\ct," and 
by favoring the French Revolution he pro- 
voked an attack from Burke in Parliament 
and aroused the iiostility of the populace, his 
residence being burned by a mob July 14. 
1 791. During the next three years he made 
his home at London and Hackney, but find- 
ing that he was still in disfavor with the pub- 
lic he decided to leave England, and on the 
7th of .\])ril, 1794, he immigrated to America. 
In his "Memoirs." he rel;ites how Xortluim- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



597 



berlaiid chanced to Ijecome his liome. Many 
other English emigrants came to this country 
with him, and it was their intention to estab- 
Hsli a settlement for all friends of li1)erty at 
the head of the Susquehanna River in Penn- 
sylvania. He located there, but the scheme 
which they had concocted fell through. Hav- 
ing located there and lieing pleased with the 
country Dr. Priestley decidetl to remain and 
in 1/95 hegan the erection of a large house 
on the estate which he purchased to the east 
of the borough, which is still in a good state 
of preservation and is owned by Robert Scott, 
Esq. He laid out a l)eautiful lawn and set 
out many shade trees, but the beauty of the 
property has been greatly marred by the con- 
struction of a canal and' the Delaware, Lack- 
awanna & Western Railroad. In this grand 
old house the Doctor had a large library and 
a laboratory, and every other convenience for 
the pursuit of his studies, there being on 
the roof an observator}' which has disap- 
peared in recent years. He became the own- 
er of many thousands of acres in what is now 
Sullivan County, which he sold to his fellow 
countr\inen very cheap as an inducement for 
them to locate in tliat section. After com- 
ing to' this country he did not participate in 
civil affairs, but was very active in promoting 
the educational interests, being one of the 
founders of Northumberland Academy. He 
was a E^nitarian in his religious convictions 
and estalilished the oldest church of that de- 
nomination in Pennsylvania, at Nortlunnber- 
land. The last years of his life were spent 
in the (juiet and happiness of retired life, 
and he passed away February 6, 1S04, and 
was buried in the Nortluunhcrland Cemetery. 
Jose])h Priestley, a son of Rev. Joseph 
Priestley and the grandfather of our subject, 
was born in England in 1768, and after his 
marriage came tn this country with his 



father. He too became interested in land 
speculations in Sullivan County, and the vast 
wilds which he and his father possessed have 
long since been con\-erted into beautiful 
homes and farm land. His first union was 
formed in England, April 15, 1792, with Eliza- 
beth Ryland, and they were the parents of 
five children, namely: Joseph Raynor; Eliza- 
beth Raynor, born August 28, 1798, who was 
the wife of Joseph Parker; Lindsay, born July 
21, 1801; Marian, born July 26, 1803, who 
married Rev. William Bower; and Sarah, born 
April 28, 1807, who married Robert Wain- 
wright. After the death of his wife Mr. 
I'riestley returned to England, where he 
formed a second matrimonial alliance with 
Lucinda Barton, and, as she was opposed to 
coming to America to live, he spent the re- 
mainder of his life there, dying September 3, 

1833- 

Joseph Raynor Priestley, the father of our 
subject, was born in England March 23, 1793, 
and upon reaching maturity succeeded to his 
father's property. Although a man of means 
he \\as largely engaged in farming tiirough- 
out his life. On April 22, 181 7, he was unit- 
ed in marriage to Frances Dundas and they 
had eight children: Jane B., born January 
15, 1818; Joseph, the subject of this personal 
history; Elizabeth, born August 3, 1821; 
Marks.John, born January 17, 1823; Lindsay, 
born February 9, 1827; Marianne, born Sep- 
tember 22, 1831; Jane D., born Alay 4, 1833: 
and Sarah A., born May 10, 1836. Mr. 
Priestley died on November 10, 1863, and his 
wife survived him until December 18, 1878. 
He was one of the founders of the First Na- 
tional Bank of Northumberland and for many 
years served as its cashier. 

Dr. jtjseiih Priestley was born in Point 
townshi]), Northumberland County, Pa., Sep- 
tember 22, i8i(>, and attended the private 



598 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



scliDol tauyiit l)y llic l\cv. David Kirkpal- 
rick of Milton, lie tlicn road medicine with 
])r. James Doiigal of .Milton, and was gradu- 
ated from the medical dei)artmcnt of the 
ITniversity of I'cnnsyKania in March, 1844. 
He took up the ])racticc of his profession at 
Northumberland and rose rajiidly to a place 
in tlie foremost ranks of tlie physicians of 
tliat section. Durini; the forty years of his 
l)ractice he had a very large patronage and 
was at all times held in the highest esteem, 
lie was an extensive owner of real estate, 
possessing several farms, lie purchased the 
grand old brick building known at the time 
as the iiurr Hotel, and remodeled it into a 
fine home and ofiice, in which his daughters 
now li\c. This j)ro])crty is at the comer of 
Market and Im-chU streets .'ind faces Market 
S(|u;ire park, lie practiced ;it Northumber- 
l;iiid until his demise. .March 10, 1883. He 
was a member of the national, state and coun- 
ty medical associations, and served as presi- 
dent of the county association. He was an 
unswerving su])]>orter of the l\ei)ublican par- 
ty- 

On March 4, 1847, Dr. I'ricstley was joined 

in marriage with Hannah II. Taggart, who 
was born September 10, 1825, and died Sep- 
tember 28, 1894. This union was blessed by 
the following children: Hannah T., who mar- 
ried Hasket Derby CatHn of (iouverneur, N. 
v., by whom she had two children, Joseph, 
and Lucy H., deceased; Joseph Raynor, who 
died in childhood; Frances D., the wife of 
William Forsyth of St. I'anl, Minn.; and .\n- 
nie S., and Jean L5.. who reside on the old 
homestead in Northumberland. 



RS. FRlZ.MW'.Tll M. FRICK, who 
is a respected resident of the bor- 
, ough of Danville, is a daughter 
of William Colt, one of the earliest business 




men of that town, and the relict of Dr. Clar- 
ence Henry Frick. 

Dr. Clarence H. h'rick was born in Dan- 
ville, Montour County, in 1828, and was a son 
of (ieorge .\. b'rick and a grandson of John 
l-'rick. His great-great-grandfather was Con- 
rad iM-ick, who was born in Heidelberg, (ler- 
nianv, and in 1732 departed for .\merica, be- 
ing the lirst of lliat name to locile in this 
country. 

Cieorge .\. h'rick, our subject's father by 
marriage, was born in Fancaster Comity. I'a.. 
and early in life studied for the legal profes- 
sion. He later moved to Danville, where he 
was one of the hrst lawyers to enter uixm a 
])racticc, and he continued longer than any 
of his contem])oraries, or until 1831. lie did 
nuich toward advancing the welfare of that 
borough ;ind was inslrnmenlal in the estab- 
lishment of the iron works. He, with a num- 
ber of other men, purchased land which was 
rich with iron ore and offered firms great in- 
ducements to locate there and manufacture 
iron. He erected the first brick house in Dan- 
ville, the one in which James Scarlett now re- 
s.ides. He died at the age of eighty-five years 
and si-x months. He was united in marriage 
to Eleanor Hurly. and they became the par- 
ents of the following children; Arthur W.; 
Clarence II., M. iX; .Augustus G.; Martha 
H.; Alexander ].; and others who died in 
their infancy. In religious ;Ut;ichmcnts they 
were Lutherans. 

Dr. Clarence Henry Frick was reared and 
educated in Danville, where he lived until the 
i outbreak of the Mexican War, when he gave 
vent to his patriotism by enlisting in the Co- 
lumbia Guards. Fie jjarticipated in the first 
engagement of the war, the storming of Vera 
Cruz, under Capt. Wilson as a lieutenant, and 
upon the hitter's death. .\i>ril 10, 1847, suc- 
ceeded to the captaincy. I le coiUinueil .'is c:ip- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



599 



tain c)f tlic ODiiipany tlirdui^iiout the war and 
took a prominent part in the liattle of Ccrro 
Gordo, tlie storming of Chai)uUepec Heiglits, 
antl tlie defense of San Angeios. Dr. Frick 
fought with bravery and daring throughout 
the entire war and was completely broken 
down ill health when he returned home. July 
28, 1849, and. like many another, ne\er fully 
recovered from the elTects of the unfavorable 
!vlexican climate. Dr. Clarence H. Frick left 
a large practice to enlist in the War with Mex- 
ico, and resimied it after his return from the 
war, but on account of failing health gave it 
up in 1857. His death occurred in 1861, at 
the age of forty-three years. His death was 
a sad blow to his loving wife and a large num- 
ber of friends in whose midst he had always 
lived. As a result of his union w ith Elizabeth 
McClurg Colt they reared the following chil- 
dren: \\'illiam Colt, a resident of Xew York 
City, who is general sales agent of the Howe 
& Polk Manufacturing Com])an_y of Danville, 
and for several years has been largely en- 
gaged in the iron business, married Mary 
Clark, and the}' have one daughter, Elizabeth 
Donaldson; George Augustus, a resident of 
Philadelphia; Clarence Henry, Jr., who is 
teller of the Danville National Bank, and mar- 
ried Lizzie Holloway, by whom he had three 
children, Ruth H., Clarence H., and SaUie 
Cornelia. In religious belief Dr. Prick was 
an Episcopalian. 

William Colt, the father of our subject, was 
born in Erie, Pa., but at an early age moved 
to Danville, Montour County, where he was 
one of the prominent business men. In 1828 
he became one of the original stockholders of 
tlie ri\'er bridge which was built in that )-ear, 
and was one of the managers of it for many 
years. He was also a large contractor in the 
1)uilding of the North Branch Canal. He later 
engaged in the mercantile business under the 



llrm name Colt i^ Donaldson in the building 
in which the Danville National Bank is now- 
located. He was successfully engaged in that 
line until he became a coal operator in Schuyl- 
kill County. He built and resided in the large 
brick house in which Mrs. Frick now resides. 
Mr. Colt passed to his eternal rest May 14, 
1855, at the age of sixty-iive years, and his 
worth}- wife survived him many years, dying 
in 1880, aged seventy-eight years. Their chil- 
ch'en were: John Donaldson; Elizabeth M., 
the subject of this jiersonal history; and Su- 
oan ^I., a maiden lady residing with her sister. 
Mrs. Frick is a woman with many lovable 
traits of character and has a large circle of 
friends in Danville, numbering them almost \>y 
her aciiuaintanccs. 



AMh:S STROUP, deceased, was one of 
the prominent and influential agricul- 
turists and citizens of Davidson town- 
ship, Sulli\-an County, Pa. He was \'ery in- 
dustrious and successful in his business af- 
fairs and resided on the estate which is now 
owned and cultivated under the supervision of 
his wife. He was a son of Eli antl Rebecca 
(Newman) Stroup, and was born in Davidson 
tow-nshi]) in 1842. 

Eli Stroup, the father of our subject, was 
born in Lycoming County, Pa., but after his 
marriage moved to Shrew-sbury township, Sul- 
livan County, where he followed his trade as 
a carpenter. He was a skilled workman and 
built many of the old mills now standing in 
that locality. His father put him out to work 
at an early age and he followed his trade until 
his demise. Mrs. Stroup now resides in Da- 
vidson township and is enjoying life at the ad- 
vanced ao^e of seventy-eight years. Her 
maiden name was Rebecca Newman, and lier 
marriage with Mr. Stroup resulted in the birth 



600 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



of eight children: Mary Elizabeth; Amanda 
(Mrs. Cox), a resident of Elmira, N. Y.; 
Amelia, the wife of Daniel O'Brien of Sayre, 
Pa.; .Anna, who was the wife of James Gould, 
and both are now deceased; John, a carpen- 
k'r (if Chicago; Alfred, deceased; and Mon- 
roe, who resides with his mother. 

James Stroup obtained his intellectual train- 
ing in the connnon schools, after which he 1)e- 
gan working on the farm of James Taylor, 
who subsequently became his father-in-law. 
After his marriage in iSf)/ he remained with 
Mr. Taylor until Deccniler (S, 1(8/2, when he 
m()\ed to the farm, upon which he died on 
March 2"/, 1886. lie made many imi)rove- 
ments ujjon (he ])r(ii)crty .'uul became one oi 
the ludst successful f;ii'mcrs in that section, 
lie was a man of high character and good 
habits and was highly esteemed by a large 
circle of friends. 

In .\ugust, 1867, Mr. Stroup was united in 
marriage with Catherine H. Taylor, who was 
born on October 20. 1837, a daughter of 
James and Delia (Edkiu) Taylor. Mr. Taylor 
was born on January 5, 1808, and his wife on 
May 22, 1810. He was a farmer in Davidson 
towushii) nearly all of his life, and was a very 
])roniiuenl man. I'.otb Mr. and Mrs. Taylor 
are now deceased. ( )nr subject and his wife 
had five children, n;nnely: Maggie, the wife 
of Cicorge Cniwlcy, a farmer of Davidson 
to\\n^hi]i; Jonah, who died at the age of six 
nu)nths and five days: Curtis Delmar, who 
lives with his family on the home farm with his 
mother, married Laura llrink, who was born 
Sei)teml:er 3, 1871, and they have three chil- 
dren, — James L.., Harry Donald, and George 
Dewey; Taylor Mendey, a farmer by occupa- 
tion, who married Addie Starr, by whom he 
has one daughter, Catherine Clarissa; and 
Delia, who died in infancy. Politically Mr. 
Str(jup was a l)cnioci-al and held sc\cral 



township offices. Since his demise his wife 
has owned and culti\ated the fjld homestead, 
consisting of 150 acres of land, and has dis- 
played rare judgment in the manner in which 
she has managed her affairs. She is a woman 
of manv virtues and has manv friends. 




silflPS. ROSALIE HUGO, a descend- 
ant of one of the pioneer families of 
Sulli\an County and the widow of 
the late Charles Hugo, is a daughter of Ered- 
crick and Fredericka (Vitus) Bowers, both of 
whom were natives of Berlin, Germany, immi- 
grating to America in 1853. 

Mi-. llowers met with many difficulties in 
trying to immigrate with his family to Amer- 
ica. As they started in a small boat to board 
the sailing vessel they were stranded on a 
sand-bar, and,<luring a severe storm, the vessel 
in which they were to sail went down. Nothing 
daunted, and with the determination to make 
this country their home, they made another 
effort to fulfil their desires and set sail in an- 
other shi]) for .\merica, landing at Baltimore 
after a tedious voyage of eight weeks. One 
small child died while they were at sea. 

Mr. Bowers, being a shoemaker by trade 
and having friends in Germantown, Pa., set- 
tled there and worked at his trade. Being 
\ery desirous of owning ;i home for himself 
and family, he reailily consented to purchase 
with his little savings, through some land 
agents, a small farm in a supposedly German 
settlement near Elkland, Merritt's Lake, in 
Elkland townshi]). Taking his small belong- 
ings, in company with his family, he moved 
northward, and reached the destination, only 
to find that he had been swindled by rascals 
and left destitute in a wild land, far from 
home and with the winter season fast ap- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



601 



proachiiig, Sheltering his family in one small 
room, the only one to he ohtaincd. \\v. I>o\v- 
ers looked aliout to see how he could helter 
himself. Many of our readers will duuhtless 
recall the murder of Vitencrulier and the sub- 
sequent conviction and execution of the mur- 
derer, Kami). The room that these emigrants 
had ihcy were obliged to share with ihis mur- 
(lei'cr and his wife. Using the remainder of 
his alni()st exhausted funds he bought a small 
piece of woodland and began to build a little 
log-cabin near the lake. But the sexere win- 
ter, with its hea\y falls of snow and keen frosts 
setting in, ])revented him from finishing this 
structure, which was located not far from 
where Mrs. Hugo, the suljject of this biog- 
raphy, now lives. Taking our subject, then a 
child of ten )-ears, with him through the deep 
snow, he built a tire in the half-finished cabin, 
dug up the earth floor, and with his hands 
filled the cracks between the logs with earth 
to keep out the snow and cold. Then taking 
the others of his family to the cabin he began 
in this inauspicious wa)- his struggle for ex- 
istence in the New World. He lived on this 
place the remainder of his days, with the ex- 
ception of the second winter, which was spent 
in Forksville, where, by economy, he was able 
to purchase a cow, and with this and his fam- 
il\- he returned to the log cabin, working at 
his trade and doing odd jobs for his neighbors 
ov any work which ena1)led him to keep the 
wolf from the door. Mr. Bowers died at the 
age of forty-five, and left six children, as fol- 
lows: Rosalie, the subject of this sketch; A. 
Conrad; Veronica; Emma; Louisa; and 
Francis. His widow married Fred Smith and 
they have one child, who lives on the old 
homestead. 

Charles Hugo immigrated in 1850 to Phila- 
delphia at the age of thirteen years, and later 
moxxnl to what is now known as Merritt's 



Lake, where he bought a small farm. His 
title to the property proved to be w'orthless 
and he was left destitute, without a friend and 
in a strange country. Chrules Hugo was 
lorn in (lilson, (ieiMiiany, December 13, i<^T,y. 
Mr. and .Mrs. lingo began married life imder 
aiK'crse circumstances, and their final outcome 
proxes that untiring energ)^ and diligence 
brings success to those who labor for it. 
Shortly after their marriage they settled on the 
.Xorth Street road, buying 100 acres of the 



Eldred tract, Mr. Hi 



working at farming 



for hire and in the mines. In the latter place 
he severcK' injured one hand, which incapaci- 
tated him from labor for some time. He ac- 
cumulated a small capital and opened a small 
country store, but did not meet with the suc- 
cess he anticipated; thereupon, leaving his 
wife in charge of the store, he began to ped- 
dle, exchanging merchandise for produce. In 
this business he won for himself the reputa- 
tion of an honest, reliable merchant, and 
found many willing friends to assist him. As 
his capital grew larger Mr. 'Hugo added farm 
after farm to his possessions; notwithstand- 
ing the fact that he and his wife endured more 
than their share of life's hanlships. it is not 
strange that they, possessed of ambition and 
untiring energy and perseverance, sncceetled 
in the end. 

At Mr. Hugo's death, in 1897, he left all of 
his children well provided for, and to his wife 
liequeathed a fine estate. His children were: 
Henry J., who married Christiana P)anmunk. 
and is the father of three children, Fanny, En- 
voy, deceased, and (jrace; Augustus, who 
married Annie Knupper, and has two chil- 
dren, Blanche and Pearl; Addie, the wife of 
Anthony Glockler, by whom she has two chil- 
dren, Mamie and Julia; Victor C, who mar- 
ried licrtlia Crossley, and has tw'o children. 
Beulah and Maud: George; Charles, de- 



602 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ceased; Emma, deceased; William; Marv; 
Albert; Robert; and Frankie. Socially our 
subject's husband was a Mason and an Odd 
Fellow. 




K. WILLIA:^! T. WILLIAMS, a 
leading physician and surgeon, who 
also is engaged in business as a drug- 
gist in Mount Carmel, is a son of Thomas T. 
and Margaret (Hughes) Williams. He was 
born in Merthyr Tydvil, Wales, April 27. 1854. 
He is one of the most energetic and cnter- 
])rising citizens of Northumberland County 
and holds high rank as one of the leading 
physicians and surgeons, not only of the coun- 
ty but of this state. 

The ])arents of oiu' subject came to the 
ITnited States in April, 1S55, \\'illiani then 
l>eing their only child, and located at .^crau- 
ton, I'a. The father, who was born in Wales, 
December 23, 1H30, had been a furnace ma- 
son in Wales, and natin'allv he followed his 
trade as mason after locating in Scranton. 
l^e worked at his trade and pros|)ered in 
Scrantttn until about iHCq, when he remo\ed 
to Northumberl.'md C'oimtw locating ;it 
Mount Carmel, where he engaged in mining 
and contracting and where he has since re- 
sided almost continuously. The father was 
one of the organizers of the Congregational 
Church in the borough and for many years 
has served as a deacon in that church. In 
])olitics he has been a Republican and has 
served as a member of the school board, al- 
ways taking an active interest in his party and 
its success. He married the mother of our 
subject in Wales and there have been born 
to them f(iur children, as follows: A\'illiam 
T., our sul)ject; Jcjhn, who was a merchant in 
Mount Carmel up to his death in August, 
1886; Margaret, wIki is a teacher in the pub- 



lic schools of -Mount Carmel, in which she 
has taught for ten years, and who also is a 
graduate of the Millersville State Normal 
School; and ]\lary, who is at home and is one 
of the most popular clerks in the dry goods 
store of E. C. Tier. The jiaterna! grandpar- 
ents of our subject were Thomas \\'illiams 
and Mary Rosser, and those on the maternal 
side were John and Margaret (Hughes). 

.\fter attending the public schools of Mount 
Carmel the subject of this review, William T. 
W^illiams, at the age of thirteen years, entered 
the shops of the Mount Carmel Iron Com- 
]iany where he worked for five years, learn- 
ing the trade of machinist and going to night 
schools during that period. At the age of 
nineteen years he graduated from the Mount 
Carmel High School. About that time our 
subject's father removed his family to Kno.x- 
\ille. Tenn,, the father's purpose in migrat- 
ing being to engage in iron ore mining. The 
family soon returned to ]\1ount Carmel, how- 
e\'er, but William remained in Knoxville 
where he read medicine with Dr. D. V. Boyn- 
ton, a ])rominent practitioner of that city. He 
then entered the Louisville Medical College, 
attending two courses of lectures, and then, 
in September. 1874. returned to the North 
and entered the .Medical ITniversity of the 
City of New 'S'ork, from which he graduated 
March 14, 1875. in the spring of that year 
Dr. Williams located in Plains, Luzerne Coun- 
ty, I'a., where he practiced medicine for one 
year, lie removed to Mount Carmel in lan- 
uary, 1870, and since has devoted himself to 
his ])ractice there which has grown constantly 
;uid which is one of the largest held by any 
phy.sician. in Northumberland County. In 
addition to his regular practice Dr. Williams 
is local surgeon for the Tennsylvania and 
Lehigh Valley railroads which positions he 
has filled most acce])tably for some time, and 




THOMAS GOKREY. 



SE\'ENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



605 



he also is engaged in the drug business with 
Dr. R. W. Montehus, with whom he has been 
associated since 1886. 

Dr. W'ilHams was united in marriage on 
April 13, 1880, to Jennie Jeffries, daughter 
of Howell and Sarah Jeffries of IMahanoy City, 
Pa., and to them have been born two child- 
ren : Thomas Lamar, who is a student at 
Bucknell University in the freshman class; 
and Harold, deceased. 

Our suliject is an Odd Fellow; stands higii 
in the Masonic orders, being a Knight Tem- 
])]ar; is a trustee of the Congregational 
Church of Alount Carmel. and is superintend- 
ent of its Sunday school; he also is president 
of the County Sunday School Association and 
president of the Wyoming Sunday School 
Union; is a memlier of the Schuylkill County 
Medical Society and an ex-president of the 
society: a member of the Pennsylvania State 
Medical Society; of the American Medical 
Association; was a member of the Interna- 
tional Medical Congress of 1887; and is a 
memjjer of tlie Internationa! Association of 
Railway Surgeons. In politics Dr. Williams 
is a Republican and he has served on the 
l)oard of school directors of Mount Carmel. 



IP. 



HOMAS GORREY, a contractor of 
good repute in this section of the state, 
is an enterprising and progressive citi- 
zen of the town of Bloomsburg, where he re- 
sides in a handsome residence at No. 224 West 
^lain street. He was born in New "S'ork City, 
Alarch 18, 1848, and is a son of Michael and 
B. Agnes (Larkin) Gorrey. 

The family is of French origin and origi- 
nally spelled their name M'Gori, but after the 
French revolution, when they located in Ire- 
land, it was changed to Gorrey by some and 
to Gorey by others. 



Michael Gorrey, the father of our subject, 
was l)orn in County Gahvay, Ireland, where 
he lived for many years and in partnership 
with his brother, Thomas, owned a farm and 
su])ply store. During the religious rebellion in 
that country their property was confiscated 
by the government and they lost everything 
they had. As a result in 1848, Mr. Gorrey 
came to freedom-loving America where all 
men are equal and are allowed to have their 
own opinions and prejudices. He located in 
New York City but soon after moved to Yon- 
kers, where he remainecl until 1854, when 
he came to Schuylkill County, Pa., and fol- 
lowed mining as a means of earning a com- 
petency. After a residence of si.\ years in 
that community he moved to Centralia, Pa., 
and was engaged in mining until 1876, when 
he ]nn-chased a farm at North Bend. He was 
united in marriage to B. Agnes Larkin of 
Ireland and they reared the following child- 
ren: Thomas, the subject of this personal his- 
tory; John; Catherine; Michael; James; Pat- 
rick; and Mary. 

Thomas Gorrc}- went to work in the mines 
at the early age of seven years as a slate 
picker, and at twelve became a mule driver, 
for which ser\ice he received $4 per week, 
but being of economical habits he managed 
to save enough out of his salary to pay his 
way in a night school, where he obtained a 
fair education. With his father's assistance, 
he managed to attend the Millville Academy, 
after which he removed to Bloomsburg and 
became an ajiprentice to the trade of car- 
penter. In i8^8 he entered the employ of 
John S. Sterner, who was one of the best 
contractors and builders of his day. He later 
became foreman and continued as such until 
1885 when he began contracting in his own 
behalf. He has not only erected some of the 
handsomest residences and Iniildings in 



606 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



P>l()onisl)ur<;-. 1)ut llicir aroliilccture is also tlic 
resull of liis labor. .Viiioiil; the many buildings 
which he has erected the following are of the 
most importance: Bloomsburg Carpet 
wcirks: I'enn Elevator works; Novelty works; 
the IJrass tSc Copper works; Bloomsburg Ice 
(S: Cold-storage plant ; a large addition to the 
lildomsburg State Normal School, also its 
large heating plant; remodeled the court- 
lunise: and superintended the erection of the 
desk works. Among the many handsome 
residences he has Iniilt are those of Paul E. 
Wirt, E. S. ^^■intersteen, C. C. Peacock, \V. 
K. 'i'ubbs, Levi E. W^nller, C. W. IMcKelvey, 
ami the Episcopal parish house. 

That Air. Gorrey has attainexl such a suc- 
cess is due to his own untiring and indus- 
trious efforts. Beginning without means, he 
has established a reputation in his line of work 
that will stand the test and compare favorably 
with that of any other contractor and builder 
in the county. The residence in which he 
lives on West Main street was erected in 
1800 by Dr. Daniels but was remodeled and 
enlarged b\' our subject and changed into a 
more moilern house. He also owns a resi- 
dence on \\'est Alain street, three double 
houses on Railroad street, also a lot on that 
street and a single house, three lots on East 
Mill street, and a small farm and sunmier resi- 
dence in Hemlock township, Columbia Coun- 
ty. He is a stockholder in the Bloomsburg 
Cold Storage Company, and Bloomsburg 
Match Company, and was formerly a stock- 
holder of the Bloomsburg Brass & Copper 
Company and the Bloomsburg Elevator and 
Machine works. In politics he is a Demo- 
crat and ser\ed on the town council seven 
years. 

Mr. Gorrey was joined in wedlock to Enuna 
Sterner, a daughter of John S. Sterner, and 
their union has been blessed b\ the l)irth of 



ten children, eight of whom are li\ing, uame- 
!)•: Mary, whose death occurred at the age 
of sixteen years, just as she was entering the 
senior class of the l!loomsi)urg Normal 
School; .\nnie. who died in infanc}'; Thomas 
who is connected with the /tli Army Corps 
and is in the jd Hospital Corps; Elizabeth, a 
dressmaker and milliner of Bloomsburg: John, 
who is a bricklayer; Catherine, who is in at- 
tendance at school; Annie; Eannie; Helen; 
and Marv. Mr. Gorrey's portrait accompa- 
nies this sketch of his life, being presented on 
a ])receding page. 




ORKELL DUNLAP learned the art 



I ..f farming on his father's farm and 

i^ ^ has ever since continued in that in- 

de])endent calling. He is also engaged exten- 
sively in stock raising and lumbering and 
owns a fine farm in Hillsgrove township, Sul- 
livan County. He was born in Plunkett's 
Creek township, L}conn'ng County, Pa., Sep- 
tember I, 1847, and is a son of George Gram 
and Margaret (Foulcroud) Dunlap. 

George Grant Dunlap was born in New- 
berry, Pa., but moved to Middletown, Pa., 
where he carried on lumbering; later he fol- 
lowed the same business at Barbara's Mills, 
then San^y Bottom, Pa. He finally settled 
on the farm now owned by our subject, which 
then was covered by a dense forest; he cleared 
a portion of it and farming was his principal 
occupation the remainder of his life. His death 
occurred on April 6, 1870, while his wife de- 
])arted this life June 13, i88_'. They were the 
])arents of nine children, who were named as 
follows: Mary Elizalieth, widow of Charles 
Simon, who now resides at Williamsport, Pa.; 
Sarah Jane, who died in her younger days; 
Correll. our subject: Henry, died August 15, 
iHdij: Penjamin. who wedded .Mary Diggins, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



607 



and they are residents of Hillsgrove township; 
George, died September i, 1881; Florence, 
wife of \\' iliiam Montgomery, and they live at 
Laporte, the county seat of Sullivan County; 
Rosa, who also resides at Laporte; and Orella, 
who died September 15, 1881. 

Correll Dunlap worked at gardening at 
Newberry, Pa., in his early manhood, and later 
he took charge of his father's farm, and, with 
the exception of two years which were spent 
in a tannery at Proctor, Pa., he has contin- 
uously resided on the homestead. Our sub- 
ject is a hard, industrious worker, and his 
farm, which contains eighty acres, ranks 
among the best farms in Sullivan County. 

Mr. Dunlap is a stanch Democrat, lirmly 
supi)orting the principles as advocated by his 
party, and he has held many township ofTices. 
Fraternally he is a meml)er of Hillsgrove 
Lodge, No. 305, L O. O. F. Religiously he 
and his wife are devoted members of the Bap- 
tist Church at Loyalsock, Pa. July 3, i866,- 
our su1)ject was joined in marriage with Mary 
E. Grier, born in Lycoming County, March 
14, 1849, ''"•1 ''' daughter of John and Mary 
(Luck) Grier, both now deceased. The fol- 
lowing chiklrcn were liorn to them: William, 
a farmer, who married Kate Hines; Adeline, 
who died aged six years; George Grant, who 
resides at Muncy Valley, Pa., and married 
Margaret Snell: ^lary Ellen, died aged one 
year; Charles, a farmer residing near our sub- 
ject, and who wedded Sarah Van Horn; Lil- 
lian, the wife of Harvev Birdsell; one who 
died in infancy; and Harry P>., who is attend- 
in"' school. 



RG>F. .\LBERT U. LESHER, a man 
of intellectual attainments and the ef- 
ficient principal of the Market Street 
Public School of the borough of Berwick, 




Columbia County, was born in Fayetteville, 
Franklin County, Pa., and is a son of Henry 
C. and Caroline (Wilson) Lesher. He is a 
grandson of Jacob Lesher, who was the pro- 
genitor of a large family of children, one of 
whom was Henry C, the father of our subject. 

Henry C. Lesher was a photographer l)y 
trade, but at the outlireak of the Civil War he 
cast aside all business and enlisted as a sol- 
dier. He served for some time but contracted 
a disease which resulted in his discharge from 
the army. He died in 1870. He was just 
entering the prime of life and his death was 
a sad blow to his young wife, to whom he had 
been married but a few years. Mrs. Lesher 
is a daughter of Rev. Elijah B. Wilson, who 
was formerly a minister of the Exangelical 
Church in Columbia County, and is now liv- 
ing in Belvidere, N. J. She is an amiable 
and acconi])lishcd lady and is lox'ed l)y a large 
number of friends for her many excellent qual- 
ities. \h\ and Mrs. Lesher's union was 
blessed by the birth of one son, Albert U., 
whose name a])pears at the head of these 
lines. 

Prof. Albert L'. Lesher received his primary 
education in the Mount Joy Soldiers' Orphan 
School, graduating in ]S8i, and this was fur- 
ther supplemented by a course in the Millers- 
ville and West Chester state normal schools. 
He then took u]) the study of law under the 
tutelage of Brown & Flensel ■ of Lancaster, 
Pa., in connection with which he taught 
school, being principal of the Sporting Hill 
school in Lancaster County until he moved to 
Berwick in 1893. He then accepted a posi- 
tion as a teacher in the grammar schools, act- 
ing in that capacity until 1894, during which 
time he demonstrated his ability as an educa- 
tor. He was then promoted to the position 
of principal of the Market Street school, the 



608 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ilulics of wliifli lie lias since faitlifulK' per- 
fDiMiied. I he sciiooi is a Iwo-slory brick 
liuilding, posscssiiifj^ many of the niodcni con- 
\enieiices and is furnished neatly through- 
oiil. It was erected at a cost of $30,000 and 
has a seatiiii^' cai)acity of 500 pupils. There 
are 300 i)upils in attendance and they are 
divided into si.x tj'rades which are uiuler the 
chari^e of Prof. Lesher. He has the good 
will and respect of the pupils and their par- 
ents, and is in fa\or witii the school board. 
His teachings go beyond the regular studies, 
for he .strives to ele\ate the moral antl social 
tone of his pupils. 

( )ur subject formed a niatriiiKjiiial alliance 
with .\l\erna W'enner, l-)eccmber 31, 1891, 
and ihey are the happy parents of one son, Ar- 
thur 1')., wIkj first saw the liglit of day J<muary 
iS, i<S(j3; and a daughter, Helen \\'., born July 
jij, iSyS. Socially he is a prominent mem- 
ber of the Patriotic Order Sons of Amer- 
ica, and has passed through all of the de- 
grees of that society. In 1896 he was award- 
ed lirst prize as orator at the state convention 
of that order. In 1897 he was called upon 
to serve in the ca])acit\' of \ice-i)resident of 
the state organization of that bodw He was 
for some lime editor-in-chief of the Lancaster 
County School l'"orum; and has been secre- 
tary of tlie Columbia County Teachers' Insti- 
tute for sexeral years. He is a jioet of more 
than ordinary ability and a number of his 
works which ha\e appeared in print were quite 
w idely read and received very favora1)le com- 
ment from literary critics. Prof. Lesher lives in 
a tine home which he inirchased and upon 
which he has made some very important im- 
])rovements. He is one of the leading citi- 
zens of the community and is highly respected 
and esteemed by all who lia\e the [ileasure of 
his ac(iuaintance. 



/'^^jEnKr.li W. .\I\ERS, a well-known 
\ ^ I business man of Munc\ \'alle_\', Sulli- 
\ an County, Pa., lias estai)lished an 
eiuiable re])utation as a landlord, being the 
proprietor of tiie Pennington Hotel. He was 
born .\])ril 5. 1858, in Da\'idson township, 
Sullivan County, Pa., and is a son of Jacob 
and I-'redericka (Geiger) Myers. 

Jacol) Myers was born in 1818 in Wiirlem- 
berg. Germain-, where he married his wife. 
On coining to America the couple settletl in 
Lancaster County, Pa., where Mr. Myers fol- 
lowed farniing, later buxing a farm in Sullix an 
County. Pa., where Mr. Myers lived until he 
departed this life, at the age of seventy-three 
\ears. These children resulted from the 
union, namely: Louisa; ¥ved. who died on 
the voyage to this country; John; Jacob; 
Henry: David; Mary Ann, deceased; George 
\\'., the subject of this sketch; Lafayette and 
Maria, twins; \\'illiam; James; Albert; 
Charles; and Caroline. 

George W. Myers, the subject of this sketch, 
attended the district schools until he was fif- 
teen years of age, when he began his appren- 
ticeship to the carpenter trade. This he fol- 
lowed as a journexman and contractor in the 
\ icinily of his home and in Xew York State 
until 1897, when, in compan\- with Charles 
Crawley, he purchased the Judge Gansel Ho- 
tel. In 1898 our subject purchasedhis partner's 
interest and has since conducted the hotel 
alone. He has made many improvements and 
it now consists of sixteen large and pleasant 
rooms, which are newly furnished and e(|uip- 
ped with all modern comeniences. The Pen- 
nington Hotel is two stories high and is lo- 
cated in the heart of the village. A very pleas- 
ant feature of this well-known hostelrv is the 
excellent table which it sets. An am]>le lixery 
service is pro\ided for the use of the luUrons 



^sfc«^ jr 


4jfe.v J- 




MWmlm^ 


^t^mj 


I 



KZKA S. LITTLE. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



611 



and, in fact, everything possiljle is done for 
tlie accommodation of tlie guests. Our suIj- 
iect is a man of higli principles and takes an 
acti\e interest in all ]nil)lic affairs. Politically 
he is an unswerving supjiorter of the Demo- 
cratic party and has held a number of minor 
offices. 

On February 23, 1899, Mr. Myers was mar- 
ried to Mrs. L. Rosa Betz, widow of John 
Milton Betz, of Muncy, Pa. Mr. Betz died 
August 28, 1895. leaving one child, (irace E. 
Betz, who resides with our subject. Mrs. My- 
ers is a daughter of James F. and Christiana 
Worthington, and was born March i, 1872. 
Mr. and Airs. \\'orthington are li\ing. The\' 
ha\'e reared six children: Rosa, wife of our 
subject; Ida; Marry; Ernest; Milton; and 
Orval. 




/A\\ S. LITTEE, whose portrait ajipears 
on the opposite page, is a veteran of the 
Civil \\'ar and since its close has 
been actively engaged in the cultivation of the 
soil, owning a fine farm in Hillsgrove town- 
ship, Sullivan County, Pa. He was born in 
Bradford County, Pa., October 28, 1839, and 
is a son of William P. and Rebecca (Rogers) 
Little. 

(^ur subject's grandfather was Daniel Little, 
a native of the state of New Jersey, but at the 
time of his death he was a resident of Sullivan 
C"onnty; his vocation was that of a farmer. 

William P. I^ittle, father of our subject, was 
born in Sullivan County, Pa., but in 1838 he 
became a resident of Bradford County, Pa., 
where he carried on farming until iXf)cS; iu 
that year he moved to Iowa, locating in Cher- 
okee County, where farming was his chief oc- 
cupation. He and his wife died there, the 
death of our suliject's mother occurring in 
187S. .\s a result of his matrimonial alliance 



with Rebecca Rogers William P. Little reared 
a family consisting of nine children; A. C, 
proprietor of the Lewis House at Eagle's 
Mere, Sullivan County, w ho during the winter 
of 1898-99 erected the new hotel at that re- 
sort, the largest in this section of the state; 
Sarah R., deceased; Ezra S., the subject of this 
sketch; John Lambert; Ellen, deceased; Har- 
riet M., who lives in Iowa; Emma, wdio was 
first wedded to a Mr. Richards and upon his 
death married VAdn Whitehouse and now re- 
sides in Ida County, Iowa; W. Martin, a 
farmer in Cherokee County, If)wa; and Jo- 
seph K.,' a farmer in Ida County, Iowa. 

( )ur subject remained at home working on 
his father's farm until the Ijreaking out of the 
Cix'il War, when, laxing aside all plans for the 
fr.ture, he tendered his services in l)ehalf of 
the L^nion. ( )n August 23, iSCij, he enlisted 
in Com])any C, 141st Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., un- 
der Col. H. G. Madill and Capt. Swartz. He 
was in the battle of Fredericksburg and at 
Chancellorsville, where, o '. May 3, 1863, he 
was shot in the. thigh and was sent to the hos- 
pital at Mt. Pleasant, near Washington, D. C. 
where he remained one month, when he was 
transferred to Philadelphia, where he was con- 
fined until January, 1864, when he returned to 
his company. At Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864, 
he was again wounded, receiving a shot in one 
leg just aboN'c the knee; after a few months 
in the Satterlee Hospital at Philadelphia he 
joined his companv near Petersburg, near 
which place he took ])art in several skirmishes, 
and was also at the surrender of Gen. Lee. 
He received his honorable discharge May 27. 
1865, and after a few weeks' visit at his home 
in Bradford County he came to Sullivan 
County and settled" on his present homestead. 
The farm consists of 120 acres of land, all of 
which has been put under a tine state of culti- 
vation b\' our subject. 



612 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Mr. Little was wedded December 16, 1868, 
to Kacliael D. Snell. a daugliter of jolm and 
Rachael (Caltlesh) Snell, both of whom are 
now deceased. Her father was a farmer and 
lumherman of Sullivan Comity. ()ur subject 
and wife have adopted one child, James, who 
is now residing at home. Politically Mr. Lit- 
tle is an avowed Republican, casting his first 
vote for "Abe" Lincoln; he has held the ofifice 
of county commissioner for three years; is 
now serving liis third term as justice of the 
])eace; and has filled other township offices. 
He is a member of J. P. Jones Post, No. 436, 
G. A. R., of Forksville. He and his wife at- 
tend the Wesleyan Methodist Church at Hills- 
grove. 



B 



R. HARVEY J. S. WEICKSEL, who 
belongs to a family distinguished for 
literary attainments and religious 
zeal, is a skilful \eterinary surgeon of Sha- 
mokin, Pa. He was born January 15, 1871. 
in Ringtown, Schuylkill County, Pa., and is a 
son of Rev. Henry and Angeline Weicksel, 
and grandson of Henry Weicksel, who was 
born and died in the ])rovince of Bavaria, Ger- 
many. 

Rev. Henry \\'eicksel, the father of oin^ sub- 
ject, was born in Germany, September 21, 
1817, and came to this country when a young 
man, landing in Baltimore, Md. He soon af- 
ter entered the college at Gettysburg, mar- 
ried, and then settled at Hanover. York Coun- 
ty, and entered the ministry of the Evangel- 
ical Lutheran Church, which sacred calling he 
followed throughout his life. He later re- 
moved, to Ringtown, and died in December, 
1896, in Shamokin, Pa., where he was living 
in retirement. Rev. Luther M. C, the eldest 
of llie children, \\;is "r.Kluated from .Muhlen- 



berg College at .\Ilentiiwn and the theological 
seminary at Philadelpliia, and in 1876 entered 
the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran 
Church, and is now stationed at Renova, Clin- 
ton County, Pa.; Jemima Elvira is the wife 
of Daniel G. Seiler, of the firm of E. G. Seiler 
& Co., wholesale commission merchants of 
Shamokin, Pa.; Amelia, unmarried, is now- 
living in Washington, D. C- — 'She graduated 
from Keystone State Normal School, at 
Kutztown, Pa., and then studied physical cul- 
ture, graduating from Dr. Sargeant's Schoo', 
at Cambridge, Mass., and is now one of the 
loved and respected teachers in the Friends' 
School in \\'ashington, also finding time to do 
considerable special work; William began to 
study for the ministry in 1884, graduating 
from Muhlenberg College and Mount Airy 
Theological Seminary, and was called to his 
first charge at Shamokin. Pa., and then went 
to Coudersport, and thence to North Lima, 
Ohio; Frederick A. first learnefl the trade of 
a plasterer and then clerked for a lime, and 
at a later period studied theology at Selins- 
grove, and was ordained a minister in the 
Lutheran Church and locateil at Numidia, 
Pa.; Harvey J. S., our subject, was the ne.xt 
in order of birth; Li/zie, our subject's half- 
sister, his father having married twice, mar- 
ried Julius Sel)ach, ami to them were born 
one son and one daughter; Julius, a gradua'e 
of Penn.sylvania College, and also of the theo- 
logical seminary at (jetty.sburg, is one of the 
devoted and talented young ministers of the 
I'^vangelical T-ulheran Churcli. ;nid is resjiect- 
ed for his literar}- ability and criticisms as well 
as for his religious fer\'or in jiromoiing the 
best interests of the church with which he is 
connected. His sister I^ena is studying kin- 
dergarten work. 

Dr. Harvey J. .^. Weicksel, oin^ subject, re- 
cei\ed his i)relimin;u-_\- education in the public 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



613 



schools and tlien attended one \ear at the 
State College of Penns},'l\'ania, when he en- 
tered the veterinary department of the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania at I'hiladclphia, from 
which he was gradnated in 1894, and located 
in Septemher of the same year in Shamokin, 
Pa., where he has since remained. In comiec- 
tii)n with his profession he does considerable 
work for Dr. Leonard Pearson, state veteri- 
n.ary commissioner of Pennsjlvania, in the 
way of looking after the health of cattle. 

Dr. Weicksel is a niemher nf the i'nitcd 
States Veterinary Medical Association and of 
the Pennsylvania State Medical Association; 
also a member of the Knights of Malta ami 
of drace J^wmgelical Pnlheran ('lun"cli, tak- 
ing an active part in the clmii'. 



OHN PACKER HAAS, one of the 
representative business men of Sun- 
bury, Northumberland County, Pa., is 
a man of considerable influence, being held in 
the highest esteem by his innumerable ac- 
(juaintances. He was born in Sunbur\-, Sep- 
tember 30, 1849, and is a son of John and 
Mary (Gheen) Haas. He is descended from 
Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather on 
the paternal side having participated in the 
War of the Revolution. 

Daniel Haas, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Shamokin township, 
Northumberland County, Pa., where he en- 
gaged in tilling the soil, becoming a man of 
prominence in that locality. In political at- 
tachments he was a Democrat. He married 
Eve Reed, a memlier of a well-known family 
of Shamokin townshi]), anrl their union was 
blessed by the birth of eleven children, among 
whom was John Plaas, the father of our sub- 
ject. 



John llaas was born June 12, 1822, in 
Shamokin township. Pa., and spent his young- 
er days in work upon his father's farm. After 
leaving home he engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness and in mining coal, spending many years 
in that business. He was a member of the 
firm of Jolm Haas t*fe Company and of Haas 
& Fagele_\- of Shamokin, a iirm very well- 
known at the time, but he retired from the 
coal business in 1S75. 1 le then was interested 
in the Snidiurx- Xail Works, with which he 
was ideiitiliecl until iS()4. when he resigned as 
its ])resident. He was always interested in 
])ublic im])ro\ements and was connected with 
numerous ]>ublic enterprises, namely: as di- 
rector of llie I'^irst National liank; t)ne of the 
llrst directors of the Sh.amokin, Sunbury X: 
Lewisburg i\;iih"i;ad, and was for nianv vears 
l)rcsi(K'iit ol the nnssionai"\ institute, now 
known as Suscpiehanna Cniversitv. lie h;is 
been an elder in the Lutheran Church at Sun- 
bury for thirty-fi\e years, and was superin- 
tendent of the Sunda)' School for thirty years. 
Politically he is a Repul)lican, and during the 
Civil War was a very strong Unionist. He 
is now enjoying life at the advanced ae"e of 
nearly seventy-seven years. His union with 
Mary (dieen resulted in the birth of four chil- 
dren: John Packer, the subject of this sketch; 
J. Clementine, who married L. T. Rohrbach; 
Mary Alice, wife of the late Dr. C. ^l. Martin: 
and Louisa, who died in infancy. 

John Packer Haas received his intellectual 
training at Susquehanna University and at 
Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, Pa. 
Upon lea\ing school he was emploj'ed by his 
father at Sunbury, and later was extensively 
engaged in the wholesale and retail coal busi- 
ness at Baltimore, Md. ^^'hile residing in 
that city he was appointed treasurer of the 
Baltimore postof^ce to serve under Postmas- 
ter Harrison Adreon. Upon the ex[)iration of 



614 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



his term of four years lie returned to Sunbury. 
I'a., wliere lie ens^ai^ecl in the iron l)nsiness 
until the Sunbury mill elosecl down for a few 
years. He then engaged as New York State 
agent for the Pottstown Iron Company, with 
his ofifice located at Syracuse, N. Y., and he 
efTficiently served in that capacity- until the 
company closed the works. He has since de- 
voted his attention to his private interests. He 
is a man of exceptional business ability, ener- 
getic and always trustworthy. He has the ex- 
plicit confidence of his fellow-citizens and is 
e\erywliere respected. In jjolitics he is a 
stanch Republican. He was honored l)y the 
unanimous nomination for Congress from his 
county and declined the nomination from the 
Seventeenth Congressional District. 

On November 4, 1872, Mr. Haas was united 
in marriage with Sally Schaffle of Lewisburg, 
Pa., eldest daughter of C. W. Schaffle, de- 
ceased, and they became the parents of three 
children: Mary G., now Mrs. A. J. Carter of 
Waynesburg, Pa.; Gertrude, who lives at 
home; and Jennie, deceased. In religious at- 
tachments the family are members of the 
Lutheran Church. 




.VNSLER B. BH<1), the leading mar- 
ket gardener of the village of River- 
\P V^ ^ side, was born in b'lysburg, 
Northumberland County, Pa., March 18, 
1859, and is a son of John S. and Rachel Ann 
(Potter) Bird, and grandson of James S. and 
Sarah (Fisher) Bird. 

Our subject's grandfather was a native of 
the state of New Jersey, but re.sided at Bear 
Gap, Northumberland County, Pa., the great- 
er part of his life, where he was engaged in 
farming. He married Sarah Fisher, who bore 
him a family of si.x children, namely: Henry, 



James, John S., Lena, .\mia, and Sarah. He 
died at the age of eighty-three years; his wife 
])assed from this life aged eighty-two years. 

John S. Bird, the father of our subject, was 
liorn on his father's farm at Bear Gap, Feb- 
ruary 1, 1824, and spent his younger days 
learning the trade of a tanner; in 1875 '^^ 
moved to Montour County and became a resi- 
dent of IMausdale, where he worked for 
Charles Fenstermacher for about eleven 
years. Li 1877 he moved to Riverside, and 
purchasing four lots on the corner of .\venue 
E and Sunbury street, erected a fine residence, 
which lie has since made his home. Li 1862 
Mr. Bird enlisted in the Cnion .Army and 
served nearly three years; he was assigned to 
Company D, 150th Reg., in the famous Buck- 
tail Brigade, and was soon promoted to pri- 
vate, and at the battle of Gettysburg he was 
wounded in the left arm, for which injury he 
now receives a pension. His wife is Rachel 
Ann Potter, a daughter of Thomas Potter of 
Catawissa. Pa., and six children have bles.sed 
the union, as follows: Emanuel, deceased: 
James, a resident of Nanticoke, Pa., book- 
keeper for the Susquehanna Coal Company; 
Kersey, deceased; Ransler B., our subject; 
Levi, deceased; and Martin, a Congregation- 
al minister residing at Brainerd, Minn. Mr. 
and Mrs. Bird are members of the Methodist 
Church and our subject's father is sexton of 
the same. Mr. Bird is treasurer of the vil'age 
of Riverside. 

Our subject followed farming until 1887, 
when he removed to Riverside and ]nirchased 
of Richard Wilson ten lots, or two and one- 
half acres of land; he improved the buildings, 
set out fruit trees and began raising vegetal)les 
for the market. In r8()i he erected a green- 
house, which contains fcjrty-seven hundred 
square feet of glass, and he not only raises 
manv beau'tifu! flowers but keeps one of the 




JOSEPH KKIM. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



617 



largest and best kept gardens in Northum- 
berland County. On market days his wagon 
and tlisplay of vegetables, berries, fruit and 
flowers are the envy of all. Our subject also 
raises lemons, and during the season of 1898 
he picked and sold over one hundred choice 
lemons; he also ships flowers and shrubberies 
to the surrounding towns. 

Mr. Bird was united in marriage to Emma 
Shannon, a daughter of Joseph L. Shannon, 
whose sketch also appears in this Book of 
Biographies. Three children have blessed the 
home of Mr. and Mrs. Bird, namely: John 
Elliott, born February i, 1893; Eva Sophia, 
l)Orn June 24, 1896; and Esther Elizabeth, 
born March 22, 1898. Mr. Bird is independ- 
ent in his political views, always upholding 
the candidate who, in his opinion, is the best 
man. He has served as a school director; re- 
ligiously, he is a member and steward of the 
Methodist Church. 



OSEPH KEIM, outside-foreman at the 
Henry Clay Colliery near Shamokin, 
Pa., was born July 19, 1843, in Blythe 
township, Schuylkill County, Pa., and is a son 
of Jacob and Maria (Steck) Keim. 

Jacob Keim, our subject's father, and his 
brother Peter were the first of the family to 
come to America. They took an active part 
in the de\-elopment of the anthracite coal in- 
dustry. Jacob Keim's life came to an untime- 
ly end when our subject was only six years 
of age, at the Kaska Williams Colliery, in 
Schuylkill County, it being the first accident 
of the kind in the anthracite coal region. Pe- 
ter Keim sjjent his life in mining and had al- 
ways worked with his brother until Jacob's 
death, when he removed to Wisconsin and 
took up a homestead. His family was swept 
away by an epidemic of cholera morbus. 



Joseph Keim, our subject, was the eldest 
one of the family upon his father's death, hav- 
ing a younger sister and brother. The broth- 
er, Jacob, born two weeks after his father's 
death, is yet living and is a resident of East 
Mahanoy township, Schuylkill County, where 
he follows mining as a business. The sister, 
Katherine, became the wife of Lawrence P. 
Brennan, and they reside at Jackson's Patch. 
At the age of eight years our subject went 
into a coal-l)reaker as a picker of slate, attend- 
ing school only for a short time during the 
year, and then under incompetent teachers, 
which gave him very poor advantages for ob- 
taining an education. From picking slate he 
became a driver of teams in and around the 
mines, and next he engaged in farming, after 
which he ran an engine in Schuylkill County. 
His first position was with P. D. Luther, who 
operated the Kaska Williams Colliery, in 
Schuylkill County. Later our subject was 
emplo^'ed as foreman at the Penitentiary Col- 
liery, also operated by Mr. Luther. Shortly 
afterwards he enlisted in Company H, 173rd 
Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and entered the Civil War 
for nine months, remaining for about ten or 
eleven months. He did not participate in any 
engagement, as he arrived on the field too 
late for the battle of Gettysburg. After re- 
ceiving his discharge from the army he began 
work in the Kaska Williams Colliery under 
the employ of Mr. Luther, and ran engines 
for some time. Later he went to what was 
known as the Berry Colliery, which had been 
operated for a time by P. J. Berry, but upon 
his failure returned to the hands of the Mac- 
Neal Coal & Iron Coniijau)'. Mr. Keim was 
appointed superintendent of the Berry Col- 
liery; his success in this connection made him 
the choice of the company to operate the 
Jackson's Patch colHeries, a nnich more re- 
sponsible position. The strikes of the \V. B. 



618 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



A. entailed i^reat hisses and ]mt to large in- 
ct)iivenienoe the MacNeal Company and, 
ii|)(,)n the company's failure, the property 
passed into the hands of White, Fowler & 
Snow, and our subject remained in their em- 
ploy. This company continued in business 
but a short time, when Franklin B. Gowen, 
who was the president of tlie Philadelphia & 
Reading Coal & Iron Company and the Phil- 
adelphia & Reading Railroad Company, fore- 
closed the mortgage, taking everything out 
of the mines and closing them up. Mr. Keim 
was with the Piiiladelphia & Reading Coal & 
Iron Company while this was being done and 
subsequently he was transferred to the Knick- 
erbocker Colliery near Yates\'ille, under the 
same management, in the capacity of a fore- 
man, remaining there until about 1872, when 
he was again transferred to the Shenandoah 
City Colliery, remaining until May x, 1884, 
when he left and went to Pottsville and went 
into the natural ice business for one year. On 
October 12, 1885, he again entered the eni- 
l)loy of the company, going to the North 
Franklin Colliery at Trevorton, and remained 
there until April 23, 1888, when he was trans- 
ferred to the Iienr\- Clay Colliery at Shamo- 
kin, where he has since remained. This is one 
of the most important positions of the kind in 
the section; it includes the Henry Clay, Peer- 
less, Sterling and Big Mountain workings, 
and Mr. Keim has the superintendence of the 
outside workings of the Henry Clay and Big 
Mountain. 

Our subject married Elizabeth Simmet. 
who died at Shenandoah, May 23, 1880. They 
ha\e been blessed with six children: INIary, 
the wife of Edward .\gnew of Philadelphia. 
Pa.; Matilda, the wife of John P. Quinn of 
Shamokin, Pa.; Herman J., a cutter by trade, 
who was employed by a large Chicago firm for 
five years, but is now in business for himself 



in the West; Leo L., who li\es in Shamokin, 
I'a., and is in the emi)lo\' oi the Henry Clay 
Colliery; Rose, unmarried; and John, who 
died in 1880 at Shenaiuloah. 

Mr. Keim is a stockholder in the Sham(.>kin 
Title & Trust Company. He is a Republican 
in politics and \ery much interested in all 
national affairs, but has never sought an ofifi- 
cial position. He is a member of Lincoln 
Post, No. 140, G. A. R., of Shamokin, and in 
1897 was its commander; and is a member 
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. Air. Keim's portrait accompanies this 
sketch, being presented on a foregoing page. 



01 IX RlUiALVN. one of the popular 
commercial travelers representing F. P. 
Delley & Company of Philadelphia, 
who makes his home at Danville, Pa., was 
born in Stuttgart, Germany, January 3, 1847, 
and is a son of John and Catherine (Hansel- 
men) Rcbnian, and grandson of Hesock Reb- 
man. 

Hesock Rebman was a descendant of nobil- 
ity, and our subject has a copy of his coat-of- 
arms and crest. He had charge of the mint 
in (jermany many years. His son, John, the 
father of our subject, was born in (jermany, 
and w as engaged in the manufacture of calico. 
He came to the United States in 1852 and set- 
tled in I-'rankfort. Pa., where he remained 
some time, when he moved to Philadelphia 
and spent the latter days of his life in quiet 
and peace. A\'hile a resident of Frankfort, he 
was successfull)- engaged in the manufacture 
of axles, and operated a large factory. He 
was united in marriage with Catherine Han- 
selmen, and they were the parents of two chil- 
dren, namely: Frederick, deceased: and John, 
the subject of this personal histor\-. Upon 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



619 



the death of our subject's fatlier. Mrs. Reb- 
maii was wedded to Louis Houtnuu, and they 
ha\e raised one ihiughter, Lizzie. 

jolni ]\cbnian entered the W'isens^ras (iyni- 
nasiuni (hn'inj;' his younger days, where he be- 
came a niar\el in performing feats on the 
trapeze. He came to the United States on the 
ship "Washington" and landed in Philadel- 
phia May 13. i860, and for some time he was 
engaged in following the barber's trade. He 
then took up his old profession, and traveled 
with many of the leading circuses in the 
United States, including Forepaugh's Show, 
Robinson's Show, was with R. E. Gardner 
four and one-half years, and was with R. S. O. 
Stokes, when that gentleman made a tour 
through Europe, where our subject was billed 
as the special attraction. He was the first one 
to introduce to the world the double somer- 
sault, and won a reputation as the most dar- 
ing leaper of his day. Our subject spent many 
months traveling through Brazil and Cuba. 
He was obliged to retire from the show busi- 
ness as the hard work was fast telling on his 
physical health, and he came to Danville, Pa., 
and under the firm name of Krebs & Rebman 
carried on a wholesale and retail liquor house. 
In 1887 he became a traveling salesman, rep- 
resenting the well known firm of F. P. Delley 
& Co.. of Philadelphia. 

Mr. Rebman was united in the bonds of 
matrimony with Emma M. Leigles, a daugh- 
ter of E. R. Leigles, who for many years was 
identified with the iron mills of Danville, but 
who is now engaged in farming at Kipp's 
Run, Pa. Five children resulted from this 
union, namely: Frederick B., an operator at 
"^'oungstown, Ohio, was wedded to Anna 
Haves; Samuel C, a bookkeeper for Rochey, 
Pierce & Company of Pittsburg, was married 
to Jennie Askner, and they have one child, 
.\nnie; and Harry J., a lawyer of Danville, 



who was admitted to the bar in 1895. Mr. 
Rebman is a member and past master of Dan- 
ville Lodge No. 516, F. & A. M.; Lodge No. 
109. 1. (). O. F.; I. O. R. M.; and K. of P. 



^Cm) /^LLIAM KIEFER, one of the n 
\ypV enterprising and successful of 



most 
the 
younger business men of Mount 
Carmel, has won success by his perseverance 
and industry. He is a son of William and 
Dorothea Kiefer and was born in Schuylkill 
Haven, Schuylkill County, Pa., November 9, 
i860. His parents were natives of Germany 
and each came to the United States when 
\-oung and subsequently married here. 

The father of our subject located in Potts- 
ville, \\ here he became a butcher, and followed 
the meat business for several years. He re- 
moved to Mount Carmel in 1884 and followed 
his business as a butcher until within a few 
years, when he practically retired from active 
business. He and his wife were blessed with 
a family of seven children, two sons and five 
daughters, one dying in infancy. The sur- 
viving children are as follows: Alice, wife of 
Dr. Edmund W. Samuel of Mount Carmel; 
William, our subject; Anna, wife of Oscar 
Scott, a cabinetmaker of Mount Carmel; 
Thomas, who is in business with the subject 
of our sketch; Mary and Emma, who are mil- 
liners in Mount Carmel; and Martha, a teach- 
er in one of the schools of Mount Carmel. 

Our subject received but limited education 
in the common schools in Frackville, Schuyl- 
kill County, Pa. At the age of aliout seven- 
teen years he left home and removed to Mount 
Carmel, and entered the employ of Charles 
K. Maurer, who established the first meat 
market in the town of Mount Carmel. Wil- 
liam remained with Mr. Maurer for eight 
vears, when he established a similar business 



620 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



on his own account, which inmiediatcly pros- 
pered and w liich, witli his brother Thomas, he 
now conducts under the firm name of Kiefer 
Bros. He ran the market for six years, at tlie 
end of wiiicii period tlie business had so en- 
larged that his brotlier joined him and took 
up a part of the acti\e management of the 
market. 'J'iie lirm now does the leading butch- 
er business in Mount Carmcl. The brothers 
do their own killing and cater only to the best 
traile. They keep five delivery wagons con- 
stantly employed, and their business amoutits 
to about six thousand dollars per month. The 
firm occupies the ground floor of a large 
three-story brick building, whicji is admirably 
arranged for their jiarticular business. 

Aside from his individual business Mr. Kie- 
fer has considerable interests in local corpor- 
ations and has done much to materially ad- 
vance the industrial i)rosperity of Mount Car- 
mel. He is a director in the Mount Carmel 
I'lrst National Bank and has been such for 
about six years; he is a director of the Edison 
Electric Illuminating Company; and a direc- 
tor of the People's Building & Loan Asso- 
ciation. In i)olitics our subject is an active 
I )cm()crat. He has served one term as a school 
director of the borough. He is a member of 
Mount Carmel Lodge No. 378, F. & A. M. 

On December 25, 1886, Mr. Kiefer was 
jiiiiicd in the Ijonds of matrimony to Mary 
Edd\-, daughter of Peter and Lydia (Wool- 
cock) Eddy, of Shamokin. Their union has 
been blessed by two children: Frederick and 
Dorothy. 



R. RALPH W. MONTELIUS, one 
of the most prominent and successful 
physicians and surgeons with a large 
practice in Mount Carmel and throughout 
Northumberland Counts', is a son of Alfred 



3 



M. and Eliza J. (Hartshorn) Montelius, and 
was born February 5, 1854, in Curwensville, 
Clearfield County, Pa. Having for some time 
been an active and enthusiastic member of 
the National Guard of Pennsylvania, when the 
war between the L'nited States and Spain 
broke out, Dr. I^Iontelius was one of the first 
to ofifer his services to his country, and he has 
served with distinction in various capacities, 
winning high praise as an ofticer of excellent 
executive ability. 

The great-grandfather of our subject, 
Charles Montelius, had a most interesting ca- 
reer, starting out at an early age under con- 
ditions which were not the most favoral)le but 
which he turned to his advantage by his nat- 
ural ability and his pluck and perseverance. 
He was a nati\e of Germany and was edu- 
cated with a view to his serving in the French 
Legislature. When cjuite young, however, 
Charles was kidnaped, brought to this coun- 
try and bound out to a Mr. Bartholomew, a 
merchant in Philadelphia, in payment for his 
passage to the United States. This occurred 
during the French revolutionary period. 
Charles served the necessary term of six years 
in payment of his transportation to this coun- 
try, paid strict attention to business, and in- 
ciilentally won the affections of the daughter 
of Mr. Bartholomew, whom he married. He 
went into business as a general merchant at 
Si.xth and \\'alnut streets in Philadelphia and, 
being persona grata to his father-in-law, from 
whom he received considerable encourage- 
ment and assistance, he was very successful. 
He finally removed to Union County, this 
state, where he invested extensively in farms 
in the Buffalo \\Hlley territory, and spent the 
remainder of liis life in managing his farms 
and several estates which he acquired. The 
grandfather was a 'man of detemiined char- 
acter and strong will and of positive opinions 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



621 



as to what was right or wrong. Tn politics hs 
was a Whig. He was a member of tlie famous 
"Buck Shot Legislature," serving in it (hu-- 
ing the most exciting jjcriod of its existence. 
It is related that he was urgeil by Thaddeus 
Stevens to "vote with the ])arty and let con- 
science go to the De\il." hut that was not 
in accord with Mr. Montelius" idea of right 
and he rebelled and refused to obey the dic- 
tate of the old ]iolitical war-horse. His re- 
fusal to \'ote with his |iarl\ (Ui ini])()rtant 
measures caused a serious disturbance and 
resulted in a personal attack upon him. To 
escape personal harm, and at the same time 
act as his own judgment dictated. Mr. Mon- 
telius leaped from a second-story window 
in the state house and escaped from his tor- 
mentors. Religious)}' the grandfather was 
a member of the German Reformed Church. 
.\lfred M. Montelius. the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Mifflinburg. Union County, 
Pa., in 1827, was reared and resided there un- 
til he was twenty-one years old, when he re- 
moved to Curwensville, Clearfield County, 
where for several years he was engaged in 
business as a general merchant. In 1861 he 
enlisted in the 105th Reg., Pa. \'o]. Inf., and 
served eleven months during the Rebellion. 
After his discharge from the army he remoxed 
to Mount Carmel. in October, 1862, and was 
appointed superintendent of the Mount Car- 
mel Colliery, which was later operated by 
Montelius. Righter & Co., his brother, Wil- 
liam, being the head of the company. Sub- 
sequently Alfred became a meml)er of the 
firm and retained his interest until his death, 
November 28, 1886. He was one of the or- 
ganizers of the Mount Carmel Water Com- 
pany, of which he was the first ])resident: a 
promoter of the Edison Electric Illuminating 
Com]iany. and the first bank of Mount Car- 
mel, — the Mount Carmel Savings Bank. He 



was a Republican in politics and served as a 
school director for several terms. A. M. Mon- 
telius was known as a most charitable man, 
giving frccl\- to the poor and being a vcrv 
liberal supporter of the Methodist Church, 
with which he was aftiliated. He married 
Eliza J. Hartshorn, daughter of Benjamin 
Hartshorn, a jnoneer distiller of Clearfield 
County, and to them were born eight chil- 
dren, as follows: William T., who some time 
ago retired from ,-icti\e business and resides 
in Mount Carmel; Ralph W.. the subject of 
this review: Walton H., a real estate dealer 
of Philadelphia; Katharine, the wife of Harrv 
E. Brown of Philadelphia, who is in the em- 
ploy of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad; 
Belle Louise, wife of 1). M. Hinkle, a promi- 
nent Inisiness man of Williamsport, Pa.; Rol- 
lin Clark, a prominent coal luerchant in Phil- 
adelphia, who also is a Repuljlican and very 
active in politics; Howard H., who is in the 
employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Wil- 
liamsport, Pa.; Frank, who is private secre- 
tary to J. M. \Vallis, formerly general super- 
intendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad. 

Our subject, Ralph W. Montelius, was ed- 
ucated in the common schools of Curwens- 
ville and in the academies at Mifflinburg and 
Elysburg and at the State Normal School in 
Bloomsburg, Pa. Eor a short time he man- 
aged his father's general store in Mount Car- 
mel, also studying medicine with Dr. W. J. 
Haas, the first resident physician of Mount 
Carmel. He entered JefYerson Medical Col- 
lege. Philadelphia, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1876. Because of ill health he did 
not immediately take up the practice of his 
profession, but in the fall of 1876 he removed 
to Mount Carmel and soon afterwards began 
the practice of medicine, which he has con- 
tinued there since. He has a large practice, 
particularl}- as a surgeon. Dr. Montelius is 



622 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



a iiieniber oi tlie Schuylkill County Medical 
Society; the Lehigh \'alley Medical Associa- 
tion; llu- Tennsyhania State Medical So- 
ciety; and llu- Medical Society of the United 
States. In pulitics he is a Repuljlican and 
has served two terms as a school director and 
lias frequently heen a delegate to conventions 
of his party. ITe is a member of Mount Car- 
nu'l T.ddge, No. T,yH, V. Sz A. M., of which 
he is a past master; and is jiast commander 
of Prince of Peace C'omniandcry No 22, 
Kniglits 'i'eniplar. 

On October 17. iSjC), Dur suljject was 
united in marriage with Carrie E. Sillyman, 
daughter of Oscar II. Sillyman of Mount Car- 
mel, and to them ha\c been born two chil- 
dren: Carrie iv, born July 7, 1879, and Kath- 
arine, born l)ecenil)er iS, 18S7. 

When the war with S])ain was declared Dr. 
M<inlclins ])riinipll\ fnrsonk his personal 
practice and prejjared to serve with the 8th 
Reg., Penns}l\ania \'olmiteer.s, and went out 
as surgeon with the rank of first lieutenant, 
lie was detached from his regiment June i i. 
i8(;8, and was made chief consulting surgeon 
of the 1st division hospital at Camp Alger, 
Va., 1)eing subsequently transferred to Camp 
Meade, where he was detailed as executive 
ofirtcer and ])laced in charge of all the prop- 
ert_\- belonging to the cam]). Subsequently, 
when the troops went to Augusta, Ga., Dr. 
Montelius. in .addition to his already exten- 
sive duties, was made a member of the sum- 
mary court. He relie\ed ^^aj. Wyeth of the 
1st di\ision. 5th .\rm_\- Corjis, who was or- 
dered to Oklahoma, and for some time was 
in. entire charge of the medical stores at Camp 
McKenzie, in Georgia. Dr. Montelius proved 
\er\' popular with his fellow of^cers and with 
the men in the ranks and was regarded as one 
of the most capable and energetic officers in 
the corps. He received an honorable dis- 



charge and was mustered out of the service 
on tlie 7th day of March, 1899, and returned 
to Mount Carmel, where he resumed the prac- 
tice of his profession. 



7T^HARLES P. HANCOCK. Standing 
I Sp conspicuously in the foremost ranks 
^^l£_^ of the leading business men of 
Montour County, is the subject of this per- 
sonal history, who is the i)roprietor of the 
famous "Globe Store" of Danville, one of 
tlie largest in the state, excluding those of 
Philadelphia. He is a son of William and 
Mary (Rear) Hancock, and was born in Dan- 
\ille, ^^ontour County, Pa. 

The family is of English extraction and Mr. 
Hancock's grandfather was a resident of 
Lainesfield, Staffordshire, England. He was 
for many \ears a clerk at the S])ring Dale 
Iron Works, near Bilston, Eng., and upon 
becoming an expert accountant his services 
were sought by many. He was the father of 
two sons: J-'nnes and William, both of whom 
came to this coiuitry ;uid located at Danxille, 
Pa. 

William Hancock, the father of our subject, 
was born at Lainesfield, Staffordshire, Eng., 
it is thought, in :Si2. He became a stock- 
taker and iron finisher of expert skill, and es- 
taljlished a reputation in that line of work. 
When the ^Mountain Iron Works of Danville 
was built its projectors conceived the idea that 
pig iron could be made from anthracite coal, 
and as a result a rolling mill was erected in 
1844. of which A. J. \'oris, Esq., was made 
general builder, and Mr. Henry Brevoost su- 
perintendent. In order to make the trial they 
needed the assistance of experts for whom a 
man was dis])atched to Sunderland, Eng., 
where he secured the services of two highly 
recommended men, William Hancock and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



f!23 



John Foley. In 1844 they came In 1 );iiu il'e 
and assumed charge of tlie ])hint, niamifaclnr- 
ing what is known as tlie T rail, which is 
n(_i\\ in uni\crsal use. The I' rail was pre- 
viously in use, hut after they hegan to manu- 
facture the T rail, on Octolter 8, 1845, it was 
supplanted hy the latter, which is now tlie 
standard thronghuut the world. These rails 
were made under the superxision of Mr. Han- 
cock, who had charge of the straightening 
and tinishing, and his efticiencx' in that de- 
partment made him noted far and wide in 
railroad circles. In 1847 in comi)any with 
John Foley, under the tirni name of Han- 
cock X: h^.)ley. he purchased a mill which had 
been huill liy Bird Patterson, and named it 
the Ivough anil Ready Rolling Mill, for the 
manufacture of merchant iron. They con- 
tinued until 1850, when it was merged into 
a rail mill and changed the name to the Glen- 
ilower Iron Works. They were decidedly 
successful from the very start and eight years 
later our subject's father became sole propri- 
etor and operated it until 1867, when the 
National Iron Company, of which he was 
made i)resident, was formed and succeeded 
the Glendower Iron Works. In 1870 he and 
a Mr. Creveling built a furnace, but one year 
later the National Iron Company purchased 
it and oi)erated it in connection with its other 
plant until the death of Mr. Hancock in 1872. 
In 1874 the heirs of William Hancock pur- 
chased the entire business under a mortgage 
sale and organized the Hancock Iron & Steel 
Company. Mr. Hancock was a very ener- 
getic and progressive business man and did 
more than any other man to promote the 
iron industr_\- in his section of the state. His 
advice was frecjuently sought by the leading 
manufacturing concerns in the vicinity and 
always was freely gi\-en with the rare judg- 
ment which was characl eristic of him. He 



was of honest and upright character, of ch.ari- 
table disposition, and fair in his dealings with 
all men. His death was a sad loss to tlie 
borough. At his death he was erecting one 
of the handsomest homes in Danville, a large 
three-story residence, built of Vermont gran- 
ite and stone, on Market street, which is now 
the home of Charles I'. Hancock, his son. 
He was a director in the Danville National 
Bank. Religiously he and his family were 
members of the Episcopal Church. lie was 
thrice united in the bonds of matrimony, first 
with Isabella Emerson in England, who died 
at the age of thirty-six years. Their children 
were: Sarah, the wife of Benjamin (i. Welsh; 
Elizabeth J., the widow of J. D. Gosh, M. 
D.. of Danville; Isabella, the wife of Harvey 
B. Crane; Cornelia P., who married S. A. 
\'ork of I)an\-ille; and \\'illiam D., who died 
at an early age. His second marital union 
was with Mary Reay, a daughter of John 
Rea_\-, a native of England, b\- whom he had 
three children, as follows: Charles P., the 
gentleman whose name heads these lines; 
George M.; and Mary M., who married F. 
W. Watkin. His third marriage was to Mary 
Jones. Their children were: Harry T., who 
is a clerk in the "Globe Store," in Sunbury, 
Pa.; Jennie E.; aad Augusta, the wife of John 
L. Lane. 

Charles P. Hancock was rearetl in Dan- 
ville, and obtained a good English education 
in the public schools, after which he accepted 
a clerical position with the firm. Cleland, 
Simpson & Taylor. He continued in their 
emplov until the firm removed to Scranton, 
Pa., when he was urged to accompany them 
as his services would be hard to replace. He 
was an ideal clerk, a model of politeness, and 
seemed to know the wants of every customer 
bv intuition, always pleasing them and send- 
miS them awa\ from the store satisfied. In 



624 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



1883, after liaxini;' ac(|uire(l the necessary ex- 
jjerience, he resigned his position with the 1 
above firm and launched in business on his 
own account. lie retin-ned to Danville and 
opened the "(ilobe Store," where his former 
employers were located, and there has estab- 
lished the best store of its kind in this sec- 
tion of the state, owing to his untiring 
cnerg}- in catering to the wants of his many 
customers from all sections of the county, and 
his successful management. The building in 
which lie is located is large and commodious, 
three stories high, and with its white front 
])resents an attractive appearance. It is 
stocked with the latest and largest line of 
drv goo(ls, notions, cloaks, ladies' tailor-made 
suits, men's furnishings, and fourteen compe- 
tent clerks are constantly employed to attend 
to the large patronage. The store is a mode! 
of neatness, everything being systematically 
arranged and in its ])lace, which is always 
])leasing to a patron who does not wish to 
be delayed in making a purchase. Mr. Han- 
cock richly descrxx's the abundance of suc- 
cess with which he lias met, and has the good 
wishes of a host of friends. In 1898 he 
opened the largest retail dry goods store in 
Sunbury. where fifteen clerks are employed. 

Mr. Hancock was united in marriage to 
.\dda L. Krebs, a daughter of Siiuon Krebs, 
who was formerly a resident of Danxille and 
now is ])resident and superintendent of the 
Listic Alining & Manufacturing Company, of 
Somerset. Pa. This union was blessed by the 
birth of three sons, namely: William K.: 
Charles 1'., Jr., who died in infancy; and John. 
Mr. Hancock takes an active interest in pub- 
lic affairs. He once served as president of 
the town council. He was also a member of 
the board of trade and has held numerous 
other offices of minor im])ortance. He is a 
stockholder and director of the Danville Na- 



tional Bank. Religiously he is a member of 
Christ Memorial Church of Danville, and has 
been a vestryman for some time. Socially 
he is a memljer of the following orders: Ma- 
hony Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M.; Danville 
Chapter, No. 239, R. .\. M.; Calvary Com- 
mandery, No. 2i7j Knights Templar; and the 
Mystic Shrine. 



IT* 



LLIAM WRAGG, a well known 
citizen of Shamokin, Pa., has for 
manv vears been one of the most 
prominent men in the town and is known 
throughout the county as a man of high prin- 
ciples and ceaseless energy. He is an outside- 
foreman at the Hickory Ridge Colliery and 
discharges his duties in a manner wortliy of 
the highest praise, lie was born December 
8, 1855, in Tama(|ua. Schuylkill County, Pa., 
and is a son of Benjamin and Anna (Booth) 
Wragg. 

Benjamin Wragg was a nati\e of Derby- 
shire, England, and inuuigrated to .\merica 
al)out 1830, settling in Tamaqua, Schuylkill 
County, Pa., where he died in 1871 at the 
age of fifty-one years. His occupation was 
that of a carpenter and he followed his trade 
in England and in tiiis country. From the 
time he came to this country until his death, 
he was in tlic cniplo\- of John Donaldson iS: 
Company, coal o])eratt)rs, acting as superin- 
tendent and foreman most of the time, and 
was for four years ])rior to his death super- 
intendent of the mines. His first wife was 
also a natix'e of luigland and she bore him 
three children all of whom died young. His 
second wife was the mother of our subject 
and they were blessed with seven children, as 
follows: William, the subject of this sketch; 
Samuel, who is assistant outside-foreman at 
the Richards Collierv near Mount Carmel; 




WHEELER GREEN. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



627 



Mar>' R; John H., who is in the employ of the 
Union Coal Company as fireman; Benjamin 
F., who is blacksmith for the Union Coal 
Company at Hickory Swamp Colliery; Eliza 
J., who is at home; and George W.. who is 
an engineer at Hickory Swamp Colliery. 

William W'ragg, the sul.iject of this biog- 
raphy, for many years has been in the min- 
ing business, for at the age of ten he began 
to work as a slate-picker in the breaker, for 
the Donaldson Company, antl later became 
shipping clerk for the same company. Then 
for twenty years he was engineer for seyeral 
different companies, and on May i, 1893, he 
accepted a position as outside-foreman at the 
Hickory Swamp Colliery, under the operation 
of the Union Coal Company. This colliery 
employs between 400 and 500 men and boys 
and yir. W'ragg's duties are many, but he 
has performed them with .such energy and 
zeal as to give entire satisfaction to his em- 
jjjoyers and fellow-workmen. He was trans- 
ftrretl to Hickory Ridge Colliery, which also 
is operated by the Union Coal Company, on 
February i, 1899. 

Politically Mr. Wragg is a strong Repub- 
lican and he is always looking out for the in- 
terests of his party. He married Emma J. 
Oliver, a daughter of Pierce Oliver and a step- 
daughter of Thomas Senger, who was one of 
the victims of the famous "Mollie Maguire" 
uprising in Schuylkill County. Mr. and 
Mrs. \\'ragg have lieen blessed with four 
children, namely : Gertrude ; Rebie A. ; 
Thomas S.; and Sarah H. 



m 



lEELER GREEN, one of the old 
est and most respected residents of 
Sulli\an County, is now living in 
retirement, having acquired a handsome com- 
petency in farming and the lumbering busi- 



ness, which have been life-long occupations. 
He was born near his present homestead in 
Hillsgrove township, Septemljer 12, 1814, and 
his parents were Richard and Mary (Plotts) 
Green. 

Richard Green, father of our subject, came 
from New Jersey State to what is now known 
as Sullivan County, via Bloomsburg, Muncy 
Valley, thence over the mountains to the vi- 
cinity of our subject's present home. He 
Ijought a tract of 50 acres and began its culti- 
vation. In those pioneer days a man could 
make a comfortable living with very little 
capital, as the woods were filled with all kinds 
of game, while the streams abounded with fine 
fish. Many times our subject's father killed 
deer and other game from his cabin door. His 
original farm is now owned liy Edward Mc- 
Bride, and his later purchase, which consists 
of 330 acres, is owned by our suliject. Rich- 
ard built a saw-mill and cut lumljer, which he 
rafted down to the Susquehanna River, thence 
to the markets, and he had many thrilling e.x;- 
periences in floating lumber down the river, 
also with the wild beasts in the woods. Mr. 
Green possessed a strong constitution, was 
a hard and industrious worker, and possessed 
hosts of friends. He passed from this life at 
the age of eighty-four years, ten months and 
twenty days. He was an unwavering Dem- 
ocrat in his political views, whilst religiously 
he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
His children were John. Wheeler, Joseph, Al- 
fred, Isaac, Robert, William, Sarah, Annie, 
Rachael, Harriet, and IMary, all of whom grew 
to manhood and womanhdod except Robert, 
who died in infancy. 

Wheeler Green was reared and always has 
lived on his present homestead. His boyhood 
days were spent in aiding his father in clear- 
ing the farm, also in lumbering. A\nien he 
grew to manhood he took the responsibility 



628 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



of takinjj mucli of tlie lumber down the river 
to tlie markets, liavinj^ matle many trips dur- 
ins^ his youthful days. Our subject now owns 
250 acres of land and, llinut^'h an old man, he 
is still active and able to do a big day's work. 
Mr. Green enjoys splendid health and takes 
great pleasure in driving over the country be- 
hind a sjian of spirited colts. 

Mr. (ireen was joined in marriage with Har- 
riet Ball, a daughter of John and .Vnn Ball; 
she was born May 29, 181 1, and died Decem- 
ber I J, 1874. They reared the following chil- 
dren: Sarah A., born January 26, 1843, ^^'l^o 
is the wife of Dr. W. J. Randall of Forksville, 
j'a.; Ursalinc, born January 27. 1845. wife of 
Abe Fogle and residing in Colorado; Maria 
J., born April 20. 1847, wedded to William 
Starr; John W'., burn .\ugust 3, 1849, who 
has charge of the homestead and married 
Martha Bedford; and Isadore, born October 
16, 1853, who married Henry Froman, and 
resides near the home of our subject. 

Our subject upholds the principles of the 
Democratic party and is also a strong tem- 
l)erance man. He has served as school direc- 

• tor and as suiierintcndent of roads. Reli- 
giously he is a prominent member of the 
Methodist Church, of which he has been a 
class-leader for over fifty years. We take 
l)leasurc in announcing that a portrait of Mr. 
(Ireen appears on a preceding page. 



Ji 



R. JOEL G. RAESSLER, a leading 
physician and also a druggist of 
Mount Carmel, is a son of George 
and Sarah (Geist) Raessler, and was born 
February 4, 1846, in Hegins township, 
Schuylkill County, Pa. 

The father of our subject was a native of 



Northumberland Countw but he romo\i'il 
when f|uite young to Schuylkill County, in 
which he resided and followed his trade as a 
tanner thmugliout his active career. 

Our subject received his preliminary edu- 
cation in the common schools and attended 
the Freeburg .Academy and the Millcrs\'ille 
State Normal School for some time. He first 
mastered ci\-il engineering and surxeying, at 
which ]:)rofession he worked for live years, 
teaching in the common schools during the 
winter months, and also began the study of 
medicine, determined to adopt a profession 
more to his liking than surveying or teaching. 
He received his preliminary instruction in 
medicine from Dr. Shope of Valley View, 
Schuylkill County. Entering the L^niversity 
of Michigan, he took a coiu'se which well 
fitted him to complete the learning which he 
had set out to gain, graduating from that in- 
stitution and then entering the celebrated Jef- 
ferson Medical College in Philadelphia, from 
which he graduated in 1870. 

Immediately returning to \'alley View after 
his graduation from the Philadelidiia college 
Dr. Raessler entered upon the practice of his 
profession in that town and was very suc- 
cessful, continuing to practice there for four- 
teen years. He then removed to Mount Car- 
mel, where he has since resided and w hci'c 
he has by strict attention to his clientage, and 
by his unusual ability and his very e.xtensix'e 
knowledge of disease and the most modern 
methods of i)ractice, attaineil high rank as a 
physician and a business which is \-ery grati- 
fying as well as lucrative. In adtlition to his 
regular practice he also conducts a drug busi- 
ness which has been very successful. 

Politically Dr. Raessler always has been a 
stanch and consistent Democrat. He has 
ser\'ed as a member of the boani of school 
directors in Mount Carmel and also as a mem- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



629 



ber of the borough council. He is a member 
of the lodge of the I. O. O. F. at Hegins, 
Schuylkill County, having joined it when he 
was t\vent_\-four years of age. Religiously 
Dr. Raessler is an active member of Grace 
Reformed Church, Mount Carmel, of which 
he was one of the original trustees. He also 
has been superintendent of the Sunday 
School, being the first at the head of the 
school upon its organization, in May, 1888. 

Dr. Raessler married Mary E. Loudens- 
lager, and to them have been born four sons : 
Rufus, a graduate of Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege, Philadelphia, who is practicing his pro- 
fession at Anthon, \Voodl.)ury County, la.; 
Elvin, a painter, who resides in Iowa; Vester, 
who is attending the Ohio Normal Univer- 
sity and is to be a pharmacist; and Archie, 
who is at home. 



Y^ EWIS EVANS, one of the leading cit- 
IJ izens of Shamckin, Pa., and inside- 
'^- - ^ foreman at the Swamp Colliery, is 
one of the most highly respected men in the 
community, and has for several years been 
one of Shamokin's most prominent citizens. 
He is a native of Wales, having been born 
there April 5, 1849, and is a son of William 
and Mary (Evans) Evans. 

Our subject's parents came to this country 
in 1863, and settled near Scranton, Pa., where 
William Evans, who had been a contractor 
in and around the mines in his native coun- 
try, accepted a position as foreman near 
Scranton, but shortly removed to Plymouth, 
Luzerne County, Pa., where he also acted as 
foreman during the remainder of his active 
life. He lost his life in the famous disaster 
at Avondale, in September, 1869. 

Lewis Evans, the snl)ject of this biography, 



at the age of nine years began his career as 
a door-boy, also driving horses, and when he 
came to the United States with his parents 
he continued at this occupation until he was 
eighteen years old, when he began his min- 
ing career at St. Clair, near Pottsville, Schuyl- 
kill County. Being ambitious to advance, it 
was not long until his abilities were recog- 
nized and he was promoted to the position 
of fire-boss at Shenandoah, Schuylkill Coun- 
ty, and he so satisfactorily filled his duties 
that he was again promoted in 1890 to the 
position of inside-foreman at the Allen Gow- 
an Colliery of the Philadelphia & Reading- 
Coal & Iron Comoany, remaining there luUil 
August, 1893. He then accepted a similar 
position at the Swamp Colliery untler the 
Union Coal Company. 

Politically Mr. Evans is an active and mi- 
swerving Republican, and has always taken 
a deep interest in all political aflfairs, and he 
constantly has the interest of his party and 
fellow-citizens at heart. On October 9, 1870, 
he was joined in marriage with Margaret 
Richards, daughter of 5hem Richards of St. . 
Clair, and they are the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Mary .\nn, the wife of Har- 
ry Finn, a fire-boss at the Swamp Colliery; 
Shem, a fire-boss under the employ of his 
father, who was married February 22, 1899, 
to Mary J. Edwards of Shenandoah, Pa.; 
William, wdio is load-boss at Swamp Colliery 
and married Eleanor Gensal of Coal Run; and 
Margaret and Rachael R., who both reside at 
home. Mr. Evans is well known throughout 
the county and he has made a host of friends. 
Socially our subject is a member of Shenan- 
doah Lodge, No. 511, F. & A. M.. of She- 
nandoah, Pa.; also Shamokin Chapter No. 
264, R. A. M.; Shamokin Commandery of 
Shamokin, Pa.; Shenandoah Lodge No. 591, 
I. O. O. F., of Shenandoah, Pa.; Lincoln 



630 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Lodge No. 92. Knights of Pythias, of St. 
Clair. Pa.; and Scluivlkill Trilic Xo. 202. I. O. 
R. M., of St. Clair.' 




.MUKOSE G. H.\.\S. the well known 
secretary of the Shamokin school dis- 
.trict, has taken unusual interest in 
the ad\anccnicnt of educational facilities dur- 
ing the nine years he has served as director 
on the school board. At the age of thirty- 
one he was elected a member of the school 
board by the voters of the First Wuvd and has 
since served continuously to the entire sat- 
isfaction of his constituents. The Washing- 
ton and Lincoln school buildings were erect- 
ed while he was president of the board; sub- 
sequently lie served one term as treasurer and 
three terms as chairman of the building com- 
mittee, lie is secretary of the ijoard at the 
present time and is highly commended for 
the able and efficient manner in wiiich he per- 
forms the duties of the responsible ofifice. 

Our subject is a son of Frederick S. and 
Sarah (Williamson) Haas, and was born Aug- 
ust 12. 1858, receiving his early education in 
the ])ul)lic schools of Shamokin. .Vt the age 
of fourteen years he learned the trade of a 
printer but did not follow it. As a boy he 
^\as in the Xorthumberland National Bank, 
and afterward acce])ted a jjosition as clerk in 
a business house in Shamokin where he was 
engaged for nine years. In 1886 the firm of 
^^'agonseller & Haas was established and the 
mercantile business occupied Mr. Haas" atten- 
tion for a number of years. 

Politically our subject is a Republican, and 
always has been an active worker and party 
organizer and has done nuich to strengthen 
the party in his district; he has been in at- 
tendance at everv local convention as a dele- 



gate since lie attained his majority; has been 
frecjnently consulted by the congressional 
party committees and usually attends tlie state 
conventions. Aside from being a noted poli- 
tician his life is linked and interwoven in 
the fraternal societies. He is past master of 
Shamokin Lodge No. 255, F. & A. M.; past 
high ])riest of Shamokin Chapter No. 264, R. 
.\. M.: jx'ist conunander of Prince of Peace 
Conuuandery No. 30, K. T.. and Caldwell 
Consistory, S. P. R. S.. 32d Degree. Scottish 
Rite Masons, at Bloomsburg; member of- Ra- 
jah Temple, .\. A. O. N. of Mystic Shrine, at 
Reading. Pa.; is a past president of Camp Xo. 
149, P. O. S. of A.; exalted ruler of Shamo- 
kin Lodge, B. P. O. E.; and ])ast commander 
of .\nthony Wavne Conuuander\- Xo. 13. P. 
O. S. of A.; and is past national inspector 
of the National Camp, which honor was con- 
ferred on him at the meeting at Denver in 
1885. Religiously our sul)ject is of the Pres- 
byterian faith. He married Sallie Lewis April 
26. 1882. and has one sou, Frederick S.. born 
June 12, 1886. 

The grandfather of our subject on the pa- 
ternal side was Frederick Haas. He was a 
native of Sunl)ury, 1)ut left there and went 
into the coal regions of Schuxlkill County. 
Pa., where he engaged in the coal operating 
business; subsequently he returned to Shamo- 
kin, Coal townshi]). where he died. Politi- 
cally he was an o'd line ^\'hig and had ser\ed 
his party as county treasurer. The maternal 
grandfather was Samuel Williamson. 

Frederick S. Haas, father of our subject, 
was born in .Sunbury in 1830, and was reared 
and educated in that town. He was engaged 
in the serxice of the Xorthern Central R. R. 
Co., being weighmaster and train dispatcher. 
In 1867, or thereabout, he was made cashier 
of the First National Bank of Northumber- 
land Count}', and remained in that capacit\- 




"^ 



-^ 



JACOB MARKLE. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



633 




until tlie I)ank closed. He always was active 
in the work and organizations of his party. 
hilt never sought political preferment, except 
as school director, in which capacit\- he served 
from i860 until his death, which occurred in 
1S78. He was a prominent Odd Fellow. He 
was a consistent Christian gentleman and a 
central figure in the Preshyterian Church in 
which he was a trustee and an active worker. 
His family consisted of six children: Samuel 
W'., deceased; Frederick Potter \\'ithington, 
who lives in Shatnokin, and is a patternmaker; 
liolding the position of foreman in John Mul- 
len & Son's pattern shops; our sul)ject; Bessie, 
who died at twenty-four \ears of age; Caroline 
and Sarah, Imtli unmarried. 



jISS .\NNIE MAKKl.l",, wh,. he- 
longs to one of Milton's oldest and 
highly respected families, was 
horn in Milton, Northumberland County, and 
is the only survi\ing daughter of Jacob 
Markle. 

Jacob Markle, whose portrait appears on a 
preceding page, was l)orn in Berks County, 
Pa., and was a son of Christian Markle, who 
came with his father. Gasper Markle. from 
Germany, near Aiusterdam, and settled in 
Berks County. There Gasper Markle en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits and at a later 
l)eriod settled in Moreland, Lycoming Coun- 
ty, Pa., where both he and his wife died. His 
wife was Annie Maria Straub, and tliev were 
the parents of two children; Joseph, who was 
a general in the War of 181 2; and Christian, 
who removed to Milton as early as 1808, 
where he lived in retirement the remainder 
of his life. Christian's children were: Jacob; 
Gideon; Samuel; Peter: W'illiaiu; John; 
Mary; Elizabeth: and Catherine. 

Jacob Markle. our subject's f.ather, in earlv 



manhood went to Re.nding, Pa., and learned 
to manufacture hats. After that he estab- 
lished a factory in Milton and made all kinds 
of men's hats. His factor)- was located where 
Mr. Embody 's store now is, and he carried on 
a very e.xtensive business for several years. He 
was united in marriage with Kate Hogen- 
teller, who died at tiie age of forty years, 
leaving one child, Zechariah. Being an only 
son, Zechariah was given the best of advan- 
tages, and ,'iftcr he grew to manhood's estate 
was instructed in every branch of hat-making, 
and succeeded his fatlier in T852, carrying on 
the business for manv vcars. He married 
.\iui Forrest. At a later period he engaged in 
the grocer\- btisiness at Danville, retired in 
1874. and li\ed, until he died in 1891. in Dan- 
ville and Alilti'ni. lie was acti\e to the last 
and was a man who wnn the love and respect 
of all. ( )tu- subject's father was united the 
second tiiue in marriage, his second wife lieing 
Harriet Eckert, a daughter of George Eckert 
of Berks County, She died April 2. 1893, in 
iter ninetieth year. She was very active until 
her last day; all her faculties were unimpaired, 
lier carriage graceful and upright; she was a 
faithful member of the Baptist Church, and 
was loved liy both old and young in the very 
large circle of her accpiaintances. Our sub- 
ject's father succumbed to that insidious dis- 
ease, consumption, in the prime of life, being 
forty-eight years old when he died. He 
was a pri\ate luider his uncle. Gen. Joseph. 
Markle, in the War of 1S12. He left a val- 
uable estate, irom which his family has re- 
ceived the benefit for many years. He was a 
member of the Lutheran Church. 

Mr. and ^^rs. Jacob Markle were the par- 
ents of two daughters: Elizabeth, who died 
at an earlv age: and .Vnnie, our subject, who 
has been a life-long resident of Milton and 
owns considerable property, including a hand- 



634 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



some 1)rick residence on Mahanoy street. We 
find in licr an exemplification of tlie trntli of 
the saving, "As the inollier. so liic daug'hter," 
and lier many friends can make iicr no l)et- 
ter wisli than that she continne to follow in 
her mother's footsteps. 



I^Y'^^Il^^ HILL. This early pioneer was 
the first permanent settler on the 
Loyalsock Creek, in Hillsgrove town- 
ship. Snllivan County, Pa. He bought his 
land, with the impro\-ements on it that had 
been already made, of a man by the name of 
Ogden, who took his family in a canoe and 
went farther down the creek. 

John ?Iill was a native of L^pton, Leicester 
County, I'jigland. He left Liverpool No- 
vember 15, 1793, and after a thirteen weeks" 
passage landed at New York February 18. 
1794. He was a man of fine education, as 
his books and writings testify. On March 
15, 1796, he was married to Mary Kobb. 
daughter of Robert and Snsann;i Uobb dl 
Muncy, Pa. He died July i, 1834, aged 
eiglity-two years; his wife Mary's age and 
death are not recorded, but it is known that 
she lived to a gtjod old age, respected by all 
w ho knew her. Their home was a house of 
entertainment for travelers during their mar- 
ried lives. The old Hill property has been 
a home for travelers for one hundred years, 
and still is; at the present date (1899) it is 
conducted as a licensed liotel. To John and 
Mary Hill were born four children, as fol- 
lows: Susanna, born October 14, 1797, mar- 
ried Joseph Sadler, an account of whose life 
follows in this sketch; Mary, born .\\>r\\ 14, 
1799, married David Rogers, and reared a 
family of three daughters and two sons, dying 
in 1S58: John Cheatle, born ALarch 31, 1801, 



died a bachelor October 4, 1841, at the age 
of forty; and Martha Jane, born January 15, 
1805, and married to Isaac Craven, — she 
reared a family of three sons and two daugh- 
ters, and lived to a good old age. 

Joseph Sadler, who married Susanna Hill 
in 1819, was a son of Samuel Sadler of Liver- 
pool, England. Joseph Sadler estal)lished the 
Sadler family in Sullivan County, and lived 
there until his death June 3. 1820. His wife 
lived to the age of sixty-seven years and 
ele\en months. Their only child was John J. 

John J. Sadler was born in Sullivan County 
March 21, 1820, and after growing up scttleil 
u])on the old homestead left him l)y his father. 
He resided there and actively engaged in 
agricultural and lumbering pursuits until his 
death, September 12, i8()o. He is survix'ed 
by his wife, who now li\-es in the village of 
Hillsgrove. On November 3. 1853, he was 
united in marriage with Anna 11. L'othwell, 
who was born in Canton, llradford County, 
Pa., October 26, 1834, and they reared six 
children: Harriet \\'., born August i. 1854. 
;ui<I died August 28, 1836; Claudius \\'.. born 
November 14, 185(1: Justin S., Ijorn .\ngusl 
22, 1859, and died March 1, i860; Clara .\., 
born .April 22. 1861, is the wife of Malcolm 
McCormick, and lives at W'ausau, Wis.; .-Mex. 
H., born .\\)\i\ 22, 1864, died May 13, 1866; 
and Charles K., a barber by trade living in 
New Albany. Pa., born January i 1. i8(>(i, and 
married to Philena Sherman. 

Claudius W. Sadler obtained a public school 
education ;uid after leaving school engaged 
in working for the tannery in Hillsgrove, 
hauling bark and lumber. He followed that 
line of work for five years, after which he 
located on the Susanna Sadler property, 
where he has since resided. He has greatly 
improved the farm and has added to it, until 
there is now 100 acres in all. He has carried 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



635 



(5 



on general farming" and has hy good manage- 
ment been very snccessful. He is a man of 
honor and possesses the esteem of his neigh- 
]5ors and many friends throughout the town- 
shiix On Noveml>er 17, 1884. lie was united 
in marriage with Laura Hoagland, wlio was 
liorn in the village of Shunk, Sullivan County, 
February 14, 1861, and is a daughter of Uriali 
and Electa (Peppers) Hoagland. both of 
whom now reside in Shunk. Politicall}' Mr. 
Sadler is a Republican. He is a member 
of Hillsgrove Lodge, L O. O. F., and Shunk 
Lodge, No. 220, P. O. S. of A. In religious 
attachments his wife is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church at Hillsgro\c. 



[^ ELSON M. SMITH, M. D., who has 
)cen successfully engaged in the prac- 
tice of his profession in the village 
of South Danville since 1882. is a man thor- 
oughly familiar with the intricacies of liis pro- 
fession, in which he stands second to none in 
Ins vicinity. He was born at Trevorton, 
Northumberland County, August 12, 1857, 
and is a son of Samuel S.. and Sarah (Reed) 
Smith, and a grandson of Morris Smith, who 
followed the trade of a miller in Shamokin 
township all of his life. 

Dr. Sanniel S. Smith, the father of our 
subject, was born in Northumberland County, 
and after completing his education in the com- 
mon schools, began the study of medicine un- 
der the preceptorship of Joseph Robbins, a 
physician of experience of Elysburg, Pa. He 
then matriculated at the University of Penn- 
sylvania, from which he was graduated upon 
tlie completion of a two-years" course. He 
then began to practice at Hartleton, Union 
County, and after a time located at Trevorton, 
Northumljcrland Count\-, whoi-c he lirmlv es- 



tablished a good practice which he continued 
until his death in 1862, aged thirty-four years. 
He was joined in wedlock to Sarah Reed, a 
daughter of Mathias Reed, a resident of Irish 
\ alley, Northumberland County, and they be- 
came the happy parents of the following child- 
ren, all of whom were given good educations 
and are now highly respected citizens of the 
various connnunities in which they live: Ga- 
len, a farmer of Northumberland County: Dr. 
Nelson M.. the subject of this sketch; William, 
a farmer and caimer; Clinton S.. a prosper- 
ous merchant of South Danville; Laura, wife 
of Dr. Kline of Reading; and Clara, who mar- 
ried Lafayette Lechler of Gearhart township. 

Dr. Nelson M. Smith attended the public 
schools for several years, after which he l)e- 
came a medical student in the office of Dr. 
Pursell of ^Danville, lie later entered the 
University of Pennsylvania from which he 
graduated with the class of 1S82 and imme- 
diately after entered upon his first practice in 
South Danville. Having been reared in that 
section of the county, he was already well- 
known to many of the citizens of South Dan- 
ville as a studious and enterprising young man 
who had attained a complete mastery of his 
chosen profession, rmd one in whom they 
could unhesitatingly place their confidence. 
He l)uilt an office on Sunliury street and in 
a remarkably short time ac<|uired a large and 
lucrative practice. He is a member of the 
Pennsylvania State Medical Society, and the 
Montour County Medical Society. He owns 
a fine residence on Gearhart street, and is 
also the owner of numerous valual)lc lots in 
the village. 

Dr. Smith was united in the holy bonds of 
matrimony to Lillie Gearhart, a daughter of 
Peter and Celestia (Coup) Gearhart, a lady 
of many excellent and lovable traits of char- 
acter. Social! v our subject is a member of 



636 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Malianov Lod.iic, Xo. 516, F. iS: A. M., whilst 
in rclii^'idus \ic\\s, he is an adherent to the 
faitli of tlie liaptish Cliurch. 



^sfTOSEPH ZUERN, an esteemed citizen 
of Shamokin, Pa., was born February 
19, 1816, in wliat is known as the Irish 
V'alley, Northuml)crland County, Pa., and is 
a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Cherry) 
Zuern. 

The grandfather on the paternal side of the 
family was Michael Zuern, who was a native 
of Germany, whence he came to the United 
States, and died in a little village about five 
miles west of Shamokin, Pa., where he was 
engaged in mercantile business. 

Solomon Zuern, the father of our subject, 
lived at Irish X'alley until about 1817. when 
he removed with his family to Ohio and re- 
sided there about seven years; then he re- 
turned to Northum1:)erland County, where he 
followed agricultm-al pursuits tuitil his death. 
lie married Elizabeth Cherry, and to them 
were born six children who grew to maturity, 
and three who died in infancy. Hester, the 
eldest, was the wife of Samuel Hummel, both 
are now deceased; Samuel, deceased; Joseph, 
our su1)ject; William, deceased; Daniel, de- 
ceased; and Mary Elizabeth, now deceased, 
who was married twice, first to Nathaniel 
Morgan, and after his death, to John Shipp. 

Joseph Zuern, our subject, was a year old 
when his father moved to Ohio; uijon his re- 
turn with his parents to Pennsylvania, he be- 
gati his education in a subscription school 
which was taught in an old log school house 
in the Irish \'alley, attending but a limited 
time, however, perhaps one month in the win- 
ter time. When he was fourteen years of age 
he went with his uncle. Jacob Scholl, a tailor 



in the neighborhood, and worked for him at 
t.iiloring for four years. Then, after working 
si.x months on a farm for wages, he learned 
the Ijlacksmith's trade with his brother-in-law, 
Samuel Huuuucl, and they worked in the 
Pjlack Rock tunnel at Phoeni.wille when the 
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad was being 
built in 1835, doing the first blacksmithing 
work in connection with the building of that 
tunnel. After learning this trade he went to 
what was known as the Big Tunnel on the 
Catawissa road then in the process of con- 
struction, and later went to Pottsville, thence 
to the Falls of Schuylkill, where he did the 
first work on the first bridge built across the 
Schuylkill River by the Philadelphia & Read- 
ing Railroad Company. On January 8, 1841, 
he removed to Shamokin and did general 
blacksmithing work until 1851, when he 
formed a partnership with Paul Anunerman, 
under the firm name of .\mmernian & Zuern, 
and engaged in mercantile business, in which 
he continued for two years, when they en- 
gaged with a third ]iers()n in the coal i)ro- 
ducing business for aljout three years. Giv- 
ing up that line of work our subject estab- 
lished a Hour, feed and provision store, which 
business he pursued uninterruptedly for twen- 
ty-.seven years, when at the end of that time, 
in 1881, he retired from active business life. 
Mr. Zuern has always l)een a stanch Demo- 
crat, and in the 40"s was appointed postmaster 
under the adnu'nistration of President James 
K, Polk, but at the end of his term he re- 
signed his ])osition. Since 1836 he has been 
a member of the Evangelical Luther.an 
Church and has been prominent in the church 
erovernment, holding at various times the of- 
fices of deacon, elder, and trustee. 

Mr. Zuern has been twice married. His 
first wife was Mary Ann Teatsworth, and to 
them were born four children: Charles, born 




MARTIN AND HELENA E. MARKLE. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



689 



November 9, 1843, and died when three days 
old; Clarissa, born March 8, 1845. who is the 
wife of William M. Smith, and they are now 
living in Altoona. Pa.; .Mvin, born March 22, 
1848, who is a tinner and resides in Shamo- 
kin, Pa.; Henrietta, born August 9, 1850, the 
wife of lM"ank K. Sausser, a tinner by trade. 
After the death of his first wife our subject 
married Mary Ann Sober, July 6, 1854, and 
by this marriage there were also four chil- 
dren: Austin Eugene, born May 15, 1855, and 
died February i, 1897; Alice Rosalie, born 
January 10, 1858, now deceased; Lizzie Maria, 
born March 25, 1862, deceased; and Edwin 
(Iwen, born May 8, 1866, and now engaged 
in the jewelry business in Shamokin, Pa. 



ARTIN MARKLE, formerly pro- 
prietor of Eagle Run Brew^ery, 
of Shamokin. Northumberland 
County, has by his honest and upright deal- 
ings won the respect and confidence of a large 
circle of friends among the leading lousiness 
men in his section of Pennsylvania. 

'Mv. Markle was educated in the connnon 
schools and remained (^n the homestead farm 
in Germany until he attained the age of sev- 
enteen years. In .\pril, 1852, he immigrated 
to the United States, arriving in New York 
April 23, 1852, remaining in that city but a 
short time, however, and then removing to 
Slatington, Xdrtluuiilicrland L'oimt}', Pa., 
where he entered the employ of the Lehigh 
Coal & Navigation Company as lock-tender, 
which occupied his attention for nineteen 
years. 

In 1862 our subject engaged in the mer- 
cantile business and conducted a store at the 
lock, which ])lace is known to this day as 
"Marklc's Lock." In December. 1871, he lo- 




cated in Shamokin aufl purchased the John B. 
Douty brewery, now known as Eagle Run 
Brewery, which he successfully operated until 
1895, when he sold his business to P. H. Fur- 
mann and practically retired from active busi- 
ness pursuits, reaping the benefits of a reward 
commensurate with a life of industry and fru- 
gality. 

Our subject was born in Wurtemberg, Ger- 
many, February 12, 1835, and is a son of 
George and Barbara (Souter) Markle, and a 
grandson of Jacob and Kathrina Souter on the 
maternal side. His father held a civil office 
under the German government for forty 
}ears; he died in (jermany about 1890. Our 
subject is one of a family of seven children, 
most of whom are accounted for as follows: 
George Jacob, who came to America two 
years after our subject and settled in (jreen- 
field, Mass., wdiere he conducted the Germania 
Hotel for a period of twenty years, — he died 
September 22, 1898; Casper, wdio immigrated 
to the L'nited States in 1857 and since 1866 
has resided in Greenfield, Mass., a cutler by 
trade, having been engaged in that business 
ever since he left his nati\'e country; and 
George and Christina, both of whom reside in 
German)-. 

Martin Markle was married, June 17. 1852. 
to Helena Eith, daughter of Casper Eitli. a 
native of Germanw Hv this union were born 
seven children: Hannah, wife of Pius Scluvei- 
Ijenz, who owns a brewery in East Mauch 
Chunk; William M.. who at the time of his 
death. August 18, 1898, was ])roprietor of the 
Central Hotel in Shamokin; Amandus, who 
is in the employ of the Eagle Run Brewery; 
Helen, wife of Daniel Stahl. foreman of the 
same brewery; George l*"., a resident of 
Uniontown, Northumberland County, and a 
dairyman by avocation: Sarah, widow of 
Charles Trelter, who resides with her father 



640 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



in Slianiokin: and Cecelia, wife of Francis 
Rankey, a inannfactiircr of paper 1)Oxes in 
South Bethlehem, I'a. Mrs. .Markle died No- 
\eniher 9, 1S98. 

Mr, Markle enjoys the distinction of heiiu;' 
one of the most enterj^rising and progressive 
citizens of his ado])ted home. He is a director 
of the First National Hank of Shaniokin and 
has been treasurer of the hank for thirteen 
years; a director of the Shaniokin Powder 
Manufacturing Company; assisted in organ- 
izing the Shaniokin & Mount Carniel Street 
Railway Company, ;md is one of its ])resent 
board of directors; aiul also a director and 
treasurer of the Shaniokin Street Railway 
Company. He is a Christian gentleman and a 
valued meniher of the r.nther;in Church. In 
his political \ie\\s he is \'er)- tlecided and is a 
Democrat of the Jeffersonian stamp. .\ ])or- 
trait of Mr. and Mrs. Markle is shown on a 
preceding ])age. 



M 



ENNIS BRIGHT, a retired hardware 
merchant, resides in a handsome 
home at No. 132 West Market street, 
in the borough of Danville, Montour County, 
Pa, The record of his life reveals unusual ac- 
tivity, and the height of the success which he 
has attained rellects great credit on his gen- 
eral business ahilitw Although at present he 
is not activeU' eng.aged in business, he is large- 
ly interested fmancially in a number of enter- 
])rises. He is a son of Peter and Mary (Evans) 
Bright, aiul was born in \'alley townshi]), 
Montour County, then Columbia County, Pa., 
March 22, 1831). 

The family is of ["rencli ;ind C.erman ex- 
traction and was established in this country 
l)y Michael Bright, who was born in Chris- 
tianstadt, Germany, May 6, 1706, and was a 



son of John Bright. Coming to America in 
October, 1726, at the age of twenty years, 
when the ])rovince of Pennsylvania consisted 
of three counties, namely: Philadcli)hi;i, 
1 hicks, and Chester, he located in Chester 
County, In 1728 he located at SchaelYers- 
town, Chester County, one of the oldest towns 
in the state, and there he became an extensive 
land-owner. He was united in marriage with 
Margaret Simon, a daughter of Jacob Simon, 
and tiieir union resulted in the following is- 
sue: Jacob, l)orn April 13, 1729; George, 
born in June, 1731; Michael, born November 
24, 1732; Catherine, born April 6, 1S34; 
John, born January 20, 1736; Peter, born May 
13, 1738; David, born .\ugust 9, 1740; Maria, 
born August i, 1742; Sally, born June 7, 
1745; and Christian, born April (\ 1747. 

Michael Bright, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was a saddler by trade, .and at 
an early day located in Iveading, Berks Coun- 
ty, w-here he kept one of the first hotels and 
was a very large landowner. In 1760 he built 
a residence at the corner of Fifth and Wash- 
ington streets, and there lived until his death, 
in 18 14. His first marriage was with Sarah 
Stoner, liy whom he had two children: 
Michael and Jacob. His second union was 
with Mrs. Catherine Brower, and their imion 
was blessed with four children:' Sandi, born 
November ti, 17A9; and David, the grand- 
father of our subject. Peter ;ind John, who 
died in infancw 

David Piright was born in Reading, .\ugust 
5, 1 771, and took to agricultural pursuits 
upon reaching manhood. He also followed 
teaming and also did considerable building in 
and about that city, being one of its most en- 
teri)rising citizens. On January 2/. 1793, he 
married Catherine Hottenstien, who died at 
the age of eighty years, and they became the 
parents of the following children: Sally, who 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



641 



was I)om December 25, 1793. and married M. 
Yeager; Michael, bom August 16, 1795; Ab- 
bie, born January i, 1797, married George 
Fisler; William, born September 2, 1798, mar- 
ried- Susan Lora; Catherine, born February 
19, 1800, was the wife of John Green; John, 
born December 5, 1803; David, born Decem- 
ber 25, 1808; Aaron, born July 8, 1809, mar- 
ried Maria Miller; and Francis, born Septem- 
ber I, 1812. 

Peter Bright, the father of our subject, was 
born November 21, 1801, and early in life 
moved to Valley townshi]). Montour County. 
and purchased the farm which our subject 
now owns. There he carried on general farm- 
mg and l.)ecame one of the tlrst men of that 
section. He erected new buildings on the 
property and made many other improve- 
ments, opening up a limestone quarry, from 
which he supplied limestone to the Danville 
furnaces. He also burned lime to a great ex- 
tent, and was a very energetic business man, 
accunuilating a handsome competency. He 
died at the age of eighty-one years. In De- 
cember, 1827,116 was joined in Hymen's bonds 
with Mary Evans, a daughter of Philiji and 
Ann Elizabeth (\'an Reed) Evans, and the 
following children were l)orn to them: Re- 
becca, who married Emanuel Seidler; Abner, 
and David, who died at an early age; Hiram, 
who married Rhoda A. 1 hitler; Evans, de- 
ceased; Dennis, the gentleman whose name 
heads these lines; Albert, deceaseil; Penina, 
of Danville; Philip, deceased; y\bbie, the 
wife of \\'illiam Acbenback; and Mary, de- 
ceased. 

Dennis Bright obtained his primar\- educa- 
tion in the district schools, after uhicli he 
walked three miles daily, that being the dis- 
tance from his father's farm to Danville, in 
order that he might further his education by 
a course of stud\' in the l)an\ille Academv. 



He then entered the (jreenwood Seminary, 
where he remained for two years; following 
this he became a student in the Pittsburg 
Commercial College, where he received a 
business education. Returning home, he as- 
sisted his father in the labors about the farm 
until 1861, when he removed to Lafayette, 
\\'arren Counlv, Ind., which was the home 
of or.e of his brothers. Upon the commence- 
ment of hostilities in the Civil War our subject 
determined to enter the service, and on April 
20, 1 86 1, he enlisted as a ])rivate in the 13th 
Reg.. Ind. \'ol. Inf., for three months. The 
regiment was held in Indianapolis by Gov. 
Morton until the expiration of that term, Init 
when the call ior three-years' men was made 
he re-enlisted on June 14, 1861, as first ser- 
geant of Company .\. of the same regiment. 
The regiment's first engagement was at Rich 
Mountain, W. \'a., where, having put the 
Rebels to rout, the regiment was given orders 
to pursue them in their retreat. At Elkwater 
the rapidly retreating Confederates turned and 
made a bold stand, and in the engagement 
which followed our sul)ject was wounded by 
a musket ball j)assing through his ankle, dis- 
aljling him to such an extent that he was pre- 
vented from active service until the following 
spring. He was then ordered to his regiment 
and was promoted to a cajjtaincy on the staft 
of Brig.-Gen. George D. Wagner, his brigade 
having been transferred from West Virginia 
to the armv of Gen. Buell in Kentucky for 
the investment of Forts Plenry and Donelson. 
Having figured in the cajiture of these two 
important points, the brigade joined the army 
of Gen. Grant in Tennessee, and at the battle 
of Pittsburg Landing Cajit. Bright received 
an injury in his wounded ankle and was in- 
capacitated for further active duty. He was 
detailed to garrison and provost duty, and 
after a service of two years was honorably 



642 



BOOK OF biograph:es. 



(liscliariL;e'(l. Ik' imnu'iliatrly thereafter re- 
ceived an aii])<iintnient as an assessor of in- 
ternal re\eniie. lie was subsequently a])- 
pointed lieutenant-colonel of the 8tli Division 
of tile National Guard of Pennsylvania. He 
located in Danville, where, in company with 
Col. Charles Eckerman, he purchased tlic 
plant now known .'is the Atlantic Oil Refin- 
ing CoiU])an_\-, which was established by John 
Heller and Charles Shultz. From the crude 
oil they refined illnminatint^ oil and lubricat- 
intj ()\\ in large c|uantities and did ;i very ex- 
tensive business. In iH-j they dis])osed of 
the business to llailey iV W'elsch. Our sub- 
ject, hax'ing heard nothing for some years of 



his brother I'liili]), wlm b.u 



1 eone to California, 



crosseil the ctjntinent to search for him and 
found that he had been robbed and nmrdercd. 
Retiu-ning one year later be bnught the bard- 
ware establishment of \'an Allen i\; Com- 
pany in the 0])era House block in Danville, 
and carried on this business with characteristic 
abilitv for a period of fifteen years. He then 
sold the business to E. J. Moore, and has 
since lived a retired life, with the exception of 
carrying on farming mi the old f.-iiuily estate 
in Valle)' township, which he still owns. He 
also continues to conduct his limestone quar- 
ries. He is the owner of considerable prop- 
erty and has a winter home and orange grove 
in Marion County, Fla., where he spends the 
winter months, which are so cold and di.sa- 
greeable in the Northern States. His home 
in Danville was built by Thomas Beaver: it is 
a fine brick residence and commands an ex- 
cellent view of the Susquebaima River and 
Ijeantiful mountain scenery. 

In 1872 Mr. Rright married Eucy Reay, a 
daughter of John Reay. She is a lady of ex- 
cellent qualities, is kind and charitable, and 
has proven a worthy companion and a lo\ing 
wife. She is of English birth, but was reared 



and educated in California. Our std>ject is a 
I\e])ublicrm in his ]iolitical affiliations, and the 
manner in which be is esteemed by his fellow- 
citizens was shown when he was elected to the 
Legislature in 1S72, being the first of his 
])arty to represent the district in that body. 
.\ kind husband and a true friend, our sul)ject 
i.'- well thought of bv e\'erv one. 




ON. V.lLLI.\Af K. HOLLOW.W. 
in honored and intluential citizen of 
Danville, who is passing his latter 
da\s m rclircment. enjoying a well-earned 
competencv, and who is now ser\ing his third 
term in the ciiy coimcil, \\:is born in .'\mity- 
ville, Berks County, I 'a., J tun;ny 1, 1835. He 
^]lent his \-oimgcr days ujion his father's frn"ni 
and attended the public schools of his nati\e 
town. .\t the age of thirteen years, of his own 
free will be sought a jjosition as clerk in a 
■Store in the city of Reading, the county seat 
of his native county. This was the starting 
out of a self-made man, one who became and 
who for many years has been a model business 
man. He has won an excellent reputation for 
S(|uare dealing, imswerving integrity and for 
all the many (pialities which are com])onent 
parts of true manhood. His example is one 
that might advantageously be followed by all. 
In 1856 our subject located in Danville, I'a.. 
where he was employed as a clerk in the old 
Montour Iron Com]>any"s store; later he was 
transferred to the dry goods department, 
which position he retained one year, at which 
time the old firm was succeeded by Waterman 
^; Beaver, when he was promoted to time- 
keeper and superintendent of accounts. His 
next ])romotion was to cashier and paymaster, 
in which c;ip;icit\- he rem;iined about twebc 
vears, ftdlilling his duties with great credit to 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



643 



himself and employers. In 1880 I he store pass- 
ed to Waterman & Company, who snl)sec|uenl- 
ly sold out to the Philadelphia & Reading Coal 
& Iron Compan\-, and Mr, llolloway became 
general manager of the entire business. April 
1, 1887, our subject, in company with W. C. 
Frick and F. P. Howe, [lurchased the store, 
and it was conducted under the lirm name of 
William K. Holloway & Company. Three 
_\ears later Mr. Frick ])urcliascd our subject's 
interest and Mr. ilolloway then retired from 
active business, with the e.Kceplion of looking 
after his personal and real ])ro])erty. In 1897 
Mr. Flolloway became a silent partner of the 
firm of Miller & RhoadiiAjf Ivichmond, \'a. 

Our suliject resides in his handsome brick 
residence. No. 16 Bloom street. He is a stanch 
Republican in politics, and although he has 
ne\'er sought political distinction, he ser\-ed 
an unexpired term as associate judge, having 
been appointed by Gov. Beaver, and is now 
serving his tliird term in the city council. In 
1859 Mr. Holloway was united in marriage 
to Ruth Yeager, a daughter of Jacob Yeager 
of Columbia County, Pa., and to this union 
five children have been given, namely: Sally. 
deceased, who was the wife of W. S. Rhoads, 
and the}' were the parents of one child, Kath- 
erine; Lizzie, who is the wife of Clarence 
Frick. teller of the Danville National Bank, 
and who has reared three children, Ruth, 
Clarence, and Cordelia: \\'illiam D., who was 
recently a member of the firm of Holloway 
& Hurst, dealers in wiiolesale stationery, of 
Danville; Thomas B., who graduated from the 
University of Pennsylvania Medical College 
in 1897 and is now a resident physician of the 
Philadelphia Hospital: and Mary, who re- 
sides at home. Mr. Holloway and his family 
are popular and consistent workers in the 
Presbyterian Church. 



E^ DWIN W. ALEXANDER. This 
worthy and esteemed citizen of Benton, 
rn^Vn., after a life of industry in the 
peaceful and lionoralile occupation of a far- 
mer, is now living in retirement in the above 
named borough. He is a son of Silas and 
Elizabeth (Smith) Alexander, and was born 
in Xanlicoke, Luzerne County, Pa., April 8, 
1841. 

Silas .Mexander was a native of New Jer- 
sev, and was born in 1799, and died in Wilkes- 
barre. Pa., aged eighty-nine years, in 1887. 
He was an orphan, raised by an uncle. He 
was an apt scholar and accjuired a good edu- 
cation in the couuuon schools of his native 
town, and at the age of eighteen years he 
moved to Nanticoke, Pa., and there engaged 
in teaching school a short time. He then 
moved to New York city where he opened 
and conducted an eating house until tiie chol- 
era epidemic broke out in 1832. He then 
returned to Nanticoke and . carried on gen- 
eral merchandising the remainder of his life. 
He was a very successful merchant and suc- 
ceeded in accumulating a small fortune. Po- 
litically he was formerly an old line Whig, but 
later a stanch Republican; he served as post- 
master of Nanticoke for fifty years, his service 
only being broken during the administration 
of President Buchanan. Religiously he was 
a member and active supporter of the Presby- 
terian Church. He was united in marriage 
to Elizabeth Smith, a native of Luzerne Coun- 
ty. Pa., and this union was blessed by the 
birth of thirteen children, namely: Cyrus, a 
retired business man of Nanticoke; Mary A., 
James, Maria, and John, deceased; Charles, 
of Ithaca, N. Y.; Eugene, a merchant of Nan- 
ticoke; Adrian, a retired citizen of Nanticoke; 
Phoebe A., wife of Mr. Lesering; Edwin W., 
our subject: and three who died in infancy. 
Edwin W. Ale\an<ler was educated in the 



644 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



schools of Nanticoke, and then Ijcgan clerk- 
ins? in his father's store, where he remained 
nntil iS7<S when he I)oni;ht a farm in Benton 
township, Colnniliia Count}-, l*a. He there 
pnrsned tiie vocation of an agriculturist until 
1890 when he sold Iris proi)erty and moved 
to the borough of Benton where he has since 
Ii\c(l in I'etirenicnt, enio\ing a well earned 
competency. Our subject owns the Alexan- 
der homestead in Nanticoke, and since his 
father's death he has replaced the old stone 
buildings with new brick ones; he also owns 
a tract of coal land in Nanticoke, Pa. 

Mr. .\lexander is an ardent l\epublican and 
cast his llrsl vote for .Xbraham Lincoln; re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. In 1866 Mr. .\le.xander was united 
in the bonds of matrimony with Anna A. 
'roni|)kins. Six children base been liorn to 
them, namely: James 1)., a wholesale con- 
fectioner; j\lary Elizabeth, the wife of B. C. 
Lanihach, a wholesale confectioner and baker 
of Freeland, Pa.; a son and daughter who died 
in infanc)'; Charles A., who died in his boy- 
hood; and Mabel, aged ten years, who resides 
with her ])arents. Gideon Tompkins, our 
subject's fatlier-in-law, was a successful farmer 
and stonemason of Slocum township, Luzerne 
County, Pa. He died at the age of eighty- 
three years; he was a member of the Metho- 
dist Ciiurch. His wife was Elizabeth Carson, 
a nati\e of Phila(leli)hia, where our subject's 
wife was also born. Mr. ;uid Mrs. Tomp- 
kins later moved to .Montgomery County, 
where they resided imtil 1854, when they be- 
came residents of Slocum township, Luzerne 
County, Pa, 



K. BLAKE E. GAMBLE, a young 
and successful practitioner of medi- 
cine of Forksville, Sullivan County, 
Pa., is associated with Dr. F. M. (iross, a well- 



B 



known physician of that community, and they 
have a large and lucrative practice, which ex- 
tends throughout Elkland, Fox and Forks 
town.ships. He is a son of Dr. Emanuel and 
Annie (Blake) Gamble, and was born in Brad- 
ford County, Pa,, November 3, 1869. 

Dr. Emanuel Gamble, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born at Jersey Shore, Pa,, and when 
young studied medicine and was graduated 
from the Eclectic College of Medicine at Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, He then moved to Bradford 
County, Pa., where he engaged in the practice 
of his ijrofession with much success for a pe- 
riod of twenty years, after which he returned 
to Cincinnati. Finally he entered upon prac- 
tice in Waverly, N. Y., and continued until 
his demise, at the age of tifty-three years. He 
married Annie Blake of Franklin, Bradford 
County, Pa., and they became the parents of 
three children. Mrs. Gamble passed away at 
the age of twenty-five years. 

Dr. Blake E. Gamble obtained his intellect- 
ual training in the puldic schools, after which 
he studied medicine with his uncle. Dr. Thom- 
as Gamble of East Troy, entering upon his 
study with a vim and determination which 
was not to be denied. He then entered the 
Eclectic College of Medicine of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and was graduated in 1891, having 
thoroughly mastered his profession, and he 
immediately thereafter located at Forksville, 
Sullivan County. Pa., principally to regain his 
health, which had become quite feeble, owing 
to overstudy. He practiced to .some extent 
for the following two years, and then returned 
to Cincinnati to take a special cour.se in bio- 
chemistry and electro-physics. In 1894 he 
again moved to Forksville, where he soon es- 
tablished a good practice, and in 1897 he 
formed a partnership with Dr. Gross, with 
whom he has since l)een associated. They 
ha\e a large village and country practice. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



645 



which extends throughout the township. Our 
suhject is a man of excellent character, is pop- 
ular and stands high in the conlidence of his 
fellow-citizens. 

Dr. Gamble was joined in Hymen's bonds 
with Blanche Collins, a daughter of A. A. Col- 
lins of Forksville, and was called upon to 
fnourn her death in 1897, -^^ the age of twenty 
years. Socially Dr. Gamble is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity of Troy, Pa., and of 
the Patriotic Order Sons of America of Forks- 
ville. 



r^TTILIP M. FORRESTER, a prominent 
'•-^ citizen of Upper Augusta township, 

l->^ Northumljerland County, now living 
on the <ild Forrester homestead, was born 
April 4, 1836, and is a son of James and 
Sarah (Mettler) Forrester. 

The paternal grandfather was John Forres- 
ter of New Jersey, who married Jane Beatty, 
also of the same state. About 1800 they lo- 
cated on the tract of land in Upper Augusta 
township, now known as the old Forrester 
place, where the subject of our sketch now 
resides. There were but few -improvements 
and little cleared land on the tract. Mr. For- 
rester set to work and, after clearing many 
acres of forest land, built a small house and 
made many improvements in general. There 
he lived the remainder of his life and carried 
on farming, also teaching school several years 
in the township. Mr. Forrester was greatly 
interested in educational matters, and he gave 
the land for and helped to erect a school 
house on his farm. He was a very bright 
and intelligent man and was greatly loved i)v 
his neighbors. He was a Methodist and 
prominent in church affairs. He died at the 
age of seventy years and was much mourned 
by all. His children were: Esther, who 



married Michael Moore; Betsey, who mar- 
ried Henry Kline; Ann, the wife of Isaac 
Kline; Sarah, who married Jacob Heller; 
James B., the father of our subject; and Jane, 
who died unmarried. 

The maternal grandfather was Henry Met- 
tler of New Jersey who located at an early 
date in Rush township, Northumberland 
Count)-, ruid followed farming, and also was 
local preacher. He had seven chiklren as iol- 
lows: Xancy, who married Henry Kline; 
Hannah, wife of B. Kase; Mary, the wife of 
James Eackman; Sarah, our subject's mother; 
John, who married Elizabeth Laycock; Ralph, 
who married Mary Houseworth; and William, 
who married Elizabeth Clark. 

James B. Forrester, the father of our sub- 
ject, was l)(jrn October 13, 1796, in Trenton, 
N. J., and died at the age of se\enty-five years, 
while his wife li\'ed to the age of eighty-se\ en 
years. Their children were as follows: Fran- 
cis, born December 3, 1819, died at an early 
age; George, now deceased, married Bar- 
bara Smith, and later Ella Savage; William, 
born May 14, 1823, deceased; John, born Jan- 
uary 18, 1824, deceased; Samuel B., born Oc- 
tober 18, 1827, and died young; Henry M., 
a farmer living in Muncy, Pa., born March 
16, 1829, married Susan Farr; Jane, born Sep- 
tember 10, 1830, deceased; Ira M., a retired 
farmer residing in Danville, Pa., born May 
12, 1833, first married Malinda Eckman and 
secondly Sarah Roberts; Elizabeth, born 
March 24, 1834, married David Anderson and 
they live in Winnebago, III.; Philip M., our 
subject; Capt. Charles W.. born December 2;^. 
1838, who is western superintendent of the 
Star Union Line, and has his headquarters at 
Chicago, — he served three years in the war 
of the Rebellion; Sarah, born September 19, 
1841, married Peter Moore, and died in 1876; 
James E., born November 18, 1843, •'^o^^' 'i^'" 



646 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ing in retirement at Selinsgrove, Pa., who 
married Rebecca Cakhvell and later Ixlary 
Emery. The cliil<h"en were educated in the 
l)ul)Hc schools, sonic attending school at Sun- 
Ijnry and \\'illianis])()rt, I'a. 

Our suljject, I'liilij) M. Forrester, li\ed at 
lionie until Octoher S, 1861, when he enlisted 
in (.'onipauN- I, 58t]i Keg., Pa. Vol. Inf.. at 
Sunbury, under the command of Col. Richier 
Jones and Col. Readman. Mr. I'orrester 
served under Capt. Jackson and Capt. Bevers, 
and fought in the battles of Suffolk, Va., Lit- 
tle Washington, N. C, and Cold Harbor, Va., 
taking part in many skirmishes. After three 
years, four niduths and t\\cnt\' four tlavs in 
the army, he was discharged at llarrisbuig, 
Pa., I'^el^ruary ij, 18A5. when be returned to 
his home, remaining llu-re until his marriage. 
January 19, 18(^)9, Ik- married Sarah l^llen 
Clark, of Rush townshi]). who was Ixsrn JJe- 
cember 31, 1839. She was a daughter of 
\\'illiam and Jane (Moore) Clark. Mr Clark 
was born in L'])])cr Augusta townshi]), fol- 
lowed agricultural ])ursuits in Rush townshi]), 
and died in .\ugust, 1878. at the age of sev- 
enty-nine years. His wife, a native of Ru.'^h 
township, died in 1888, at the age of eighty 
years. They had seven children, as follows: 
Lukins C, who married Mary Kinnie, and 
li\es in I'ayette, la.; .\senalh, who married 
John Bird, now deceased: Hamilton, a retired 
farmer residing in Catawissa, Pa., who mar- 
ried Margaret Redder: Mary, the wife of J. 
1). Clinton K'ase, a retired f;u-mer at Elysburg, 
Pa., whose life bistor_\- is gi\'en elsewhere in 
this work; Margaret, the wife of John W'al- 
lize, a retired farmer of Rush townshi]); Will- 
iam, also a retired farmer in Rush township, 
who wedded Ellen Kase; and Sarah Ellen, 
the wife of our subject. 

I'bili]) M. Forrester, the subject of this 
biograpbv. has resided since 18(15 on the old 



homestead which consists of 123 acres, and he 
has made many improvements on the place. 
1 le has twenty-one head of stock, and since 
August 16, 1882, has operated a milk route in 
Sunbury. He also carries on general farm- 
ing. Mr. Forrester is a stanch Re])ublican 
and has lield manv townshi]) offices. He is a 
member of William A. Bruner Post, No. 335, 
G. A. R., of Sunbury. He attends the Meth- 
odist Church at Kline's Grove. Mr. Forrester 
is highly respected and has a large number 
of firm friends. His union with Sarah Ellen 
Clark has been blessed with five children: 
(jertrude, born May 22, 1870, now living at 
liome: Charles R., born October 8, 1871, who 
married Mazie Haughawout, of Rush town- 
shi]), antl they arc the ])arents of two child- 
ren, Margaret Ellen, born October 18, 1895, 
and Lilian Grace, born October jo, 1897; 
William C. born March 24, 1874, now living 
at home; Sarah, born October 4, 1878, also 
at home; and J'dizaljeth, born September 16, 
1881, who is at home. Charles R. assists his 
father in the dairv business. 



T\)R1S AUTEN, a successful and 
proiuinent attorney-at-law of Mount 
Carmel, is a son of William Maxwell 
and Sarah (.Mlison) Autcu, and was born July 
8, 1856, in Chillisquaque townshi]), Xorthum- 
berland County. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject was a native of Northumberland 
County, in which he resided during his life- 
time, and was a miller and millwright by occu- 
l)alion. The father of our subject was also a 
millwright and was l)orn in \orthuml)erland 
County July 7, 1814. Fie was active in local 
])olitics as a Democrat and held several of- 
fices, including justice of the peace and school 
director. He was also an active member of 
the Methodist E])iscopal Church until his 








y. 









SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



649 



death in January, 1891. TIic maternal grand- 
fatlier of Mr. Auten, James Allison, was one 
of the pioneers of Northumberland County. 

The subject of this review, Voris yVuten, 
was reared in the township in winch he was 
horn. He was educated in the common 
schools and in the Lewishurg Academy and 
University, pursuing' part of the scientific 
course in the latter institution. For several 
terms he taught in the common schools of 
his native township and for six years in the 
schools of Sunbury. While teaching to earn 
his livelihood our subject also took up the 
study of law under the guidance of Frank A. 
Marr, an attorney of Sunbury. He was un- 
usually successful in mastering the intricacies 
of legal lore and was admitted to the bar of 
Northumlierland County in September, 1881. 
In June, 1883, he remo\-ed to Mount Car- 
mel, oijcned an office and soon began to ac- 
quire the practice which has grown constantly 
until it has become large and lucrative. 

In ])olitics ^Ir. Auten is an acti\e and en- 
thusiastic Democrat. He was elected district 
attorney of the county in the fall of 1889, and 
so satisfactorily did he fulfill the duties of the 
office that he was re-elected to a second term 
in 1892. He is president of the First National 
Bank of Mount Carmel, also a director of the 
Mount Carmel Water Company. He is a 
member of the I. O. O. F., and also of the 
F. & A. M. 

On June 9, 1887, Mr. Auten was united in 
marriage with Jennie Renn, daughter of Dr. 
George M. Renn of Sunbury. To them has 
been born one child, .\gnes Renn, lulv u, 
'893- 



ETER S. HARMAN. The gentleman 
whose name heads this biography is 
- one of the best known men of Colum- 

)ia County, and is greatly respected by the 




citizens of Bloomsburg for his sterling worth 
and integrity as a neighbor, a gentleman, and 
citij-.en. He is senior member of the firm of 
Harman «&: Hassert, the largest car-builders 
and machinists of Bloomsburg. Our subject 
was born in Mifflin township, Columbia Coun- 
ty, Pa., June 5, 1831, and is a son of George 
and Mary (Knorr) Harman. 

George Flarman was a native of Northum- 
berland County, Pa., and settled in ISIifflin 
township, Columbia County, in 1833; later he 
located in Orangeville where he followed his 
trade as a tanner, having learned it during his 
boN-hood days. He was very successful and 
by his energy, industry and the e.xercise of 
economy, amassed a fortune and spent his 
latter days in ease and comfort. He passed 
from this life at the age of eighty-three years. 

Peter S. Harman, when only thirteen years 
of age, left the parental roof to serve an ap- 
prenticeship to the molder's trade, working 
with Louis H. Mans, of Bloomsburg. He then 
traveled through the West, working at his 
trade as a journeyman, later going to Phila- 
delphia, where he worked for three years; in 
1861 he moved to Mahanoy City, Pa.; and 
for three years conducted a foundry and ma- 
chine shop. Removing to Bloomsburg he 
formed a partnership with Benjamin F. Sharp- 
less and operated a foundry and machine shop 
under the name of Sharpless & Harman. 
Four years later Mr. Harman established his 
present business. In 1875. in company with 
George Hassert, a skilled mechanic and in- 
dustrious workman, our sul)ject purchased a 
tract of land, formerly known as the Barton 
farm, erected a building 50 by 60 feet, and 
began the manufacture of the Eclipse cooking 
stove and heater, and the Montrose plough. 
The business, conducted under the firm name 
of Harman & Hassert, increased so rapidly 
that in 1879 they bought more land and in 



650 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



1880 built a large addition to their shop; it 
now has 300 feet frontage on East street and 
is 300 feet dee]). They have added the man- 
ufacture of mining cars and castings, machin- 
ery for constructing and operating mines, and 
a repair shoj), and they give employment to 
about 60 men \vho turn out first-class work. 
( )nr subject is truly a self-made man, and 
owes his present good standing to his ener- 
getic and industrious habits. He always has 
taken an active interest in the progress of his 
a(lo])ted town, and when the elevator works 
failed he was among the first to put money 
in and assist it to run again, thus giving em- 
])loymeiit to a large number of men and as- 
sisting materially to keep up the business in- 
terests of the tow n. 

Mr. Hartman purchased a lot of John Pen- 
man (lU Iron street u\i(ni which he built the 
handsome house in which he now resides. In 
1S56 he was united in the bonds of matrimony 
with Rebecca Freeze, a daughter of James 
and J''rances (Goss) Freeze; her father was 
one of the early millers of Bloomsburg. Our 
subject and wife have reared seven children, 
of whom those surviving are well established 
in life and are popular and well-to-do in the 
various localities in which they reside. These 
children were as follows: Frank F., who died 
aged live years; Howard !•"., who died aged 
three years; Grace, the wife of Daniel But- 
ler; Fanny, wife of William E. Hartman; Jen- 
nie, who wedded Amos H. Stroh; James Lee; 
Mary; John G., who is district attorney 
of Columbia County; and Paul Z., the young- 
est, a student at the Bloomsburg State Nor- 
mal School. Mr. Hartman was formerly a 
Whig, but has been a stanch Republican since 
the formation of the party. He has served as 
president of the Bloomsburg borough council 
for four years, and as councilman three years. 
Religiously he is a member of the Episcopal 



Church. Our subject is one of the most sub- 
stantial and active Masons in the county; is 
past master of Washington Lodge, No. 265, 
I'. & A. M.; past high priest of Bloomsburg 
Cha])ter, No. 218, R. A. M.; past T. L G. 
master of Mount Moriah Council, No. 10, R. 
& S. M.; past E. M. T. commander of Cru- 
sade Conunaudery, No. 12, K. T.; and is V. 
G. treasurer of Zerrubbabel Council, P. of 
J., 16th degree. 

James Lee Harman married Jessie Kimble. 
ser\cd an apprenticeship to the moKler's 
trade, and is now bookkeeper in his father's 
office. He is i^rominentl)' connected with 
Masonic societies, hax'ing received the 3Jd 
degree. He is T. I. G. M. of Mount Moriah 
Council, No. 10, R. and L. ; T. P. G. M. of 
Enoch Grand Lodge of Perf., 14th degree. 
Ancient and Scottish Rite; grand treasurer of 
Caldwell Consistory, S. P. R. S., 32d degree; 
and treasurer of Orient Conclave, No. 2. 

Portraits of Peter S. and James Lee Har- 
man appear on a preceding page. 




AURN' DIEMEK. a i)n.sperous farm- 
^ , er of Montour townshii), Columbia 
County, is a son of Sanuiel 11. and 
Marv Jane (Richards) Diemer, and was born 
at Catawis.sa, Pa., January 27, 1863. 

The paternal great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject was a native of Ireland, who came to 
.\merica when young and located in Penn- 
svlvania. His son. the grandfather of uur 
subject, was a well-known carpenter and 
builder of the town of Sunbury, Northum- 
berland County. He erected many large 
buildings in that \icinity, all by the old meth- 
od which was much more difticult than the 
process of to-day as the lumber when ])laced 
in the hands of the carpenter was rough and 
unfinished. He was an acti\e meniher in and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



651 



a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church. He was twice married, and 
reared a family of two sons and two daugh- 
ters, namely: Sarah; Elizabeth; John, a late 
resident of Sunbury; and Sanuicl B., our sub- 
ject's father. 

Samuel B. Diemer was born in the town 
of Sunbury in 1818 and during- his younger 
working days was engaged as a bookkeeper 
in Philadelphia. Later he resided in Main- 
ville, Columbia County, where he managed 
a store for a brief period: then he purchased 
the old Esther Furnace four miles back of 
Catawissa, which he successfully operated for 
a number of years, but during the Rebellion, 
the Confederates seized a large quantity of 
his iron that was then in Richmond, Va. The 
financial loss caused him to suspend opera- 
tions in the furnace, and his next business 
ventures were to conduct a general merchan- 
dise store at Centralia and later one at Cata- 
wissa, which he conducted with remarkable 
success until his death in 1890. During the 
war he joined a Pennsylvania reserve corps. 
and although he did not ha\'e the opportunity 
to take part in any important battles, he was 
on the reserve force at Antietam, Gettysburg, 
and several other places. In political belief 
Mr. Diemer was a Republican and served as 
assessor and notary pulilic for in;uiy years, 
during which time he transacted considerable 
business of a legal nature. Socially he was a 
member of the Masonic fraternity for many 
years. He was united in the liol\- bonds of 
wedlock to Mary Jane Richards, a daughter 
of the late John Richards, a successful farm- 
er who owned the ]:)ro|)erty ujion which our 
subject is now located, and they became the 
happy parents of three sons and four daugh- 
ters, namely: Hattie R., a resident of Cata- 
wissa; Clara, the wife of W. H. Abbott of 
Catawissa: John I\., a merchant oi Catawissa; 



Harry, the gentleman who is the subject of 
this sketch; and three who died in infancy. 

Harry Diemer was reared in Catawissa 
where he recei\'ed his education in the public 
schools and at the State Normal School of 
Bloomsburg. At an early age he began work 
in the store and remained there until his mar- 
riage in 1886, when he moved upon his ma- 
ternal grandfather's farm, which is now 
owned by Mrs. Diemer. It is an excellent 
piece of property, consi.sting of 200 acres of 
good farm land, ujjou which he carries on 
general farming and dairying. He has quite 
a large milk route, supplying the village of 
Rupert. Mr. Diemer is an up-to-date farmer 
in every respect and uses only the latest of 
farming implements, thereby gaining an ad- 
vantage over those who still cling to the old 
patterns. He is honest and upright in all his 
dealings and is held in high esteem by his 
neighbors. 

On March 30, 1886, our subject was united 
in matrimonial bonds to Emma J. Ranch, a 
daughter of Michael Ranch of Rupert, by 
whom he has three sons and one daughter : 
John: \\'illiam: Robert; and Mary Jane. Po- 
litically Mr. Diemer is a stanch Republican; 
for manv vears he has been school director. 



ISAAC X. GRIER. Esq., is a prominent 
and wealthy citizen of Danville. He 
was born in Danville, December 27, 
1835. is a son of Michael C. and Isabella 
(Alontgomery) Grier. and a grandson of Rev. 
Isaac Grier. S. T. D. His mother, Isabella, 
was the daughter of Alexander Montgomery, 
and granddaughter of Gen. ^^'illiam Mont- 
gomery, prominent in civil and military af- 
fairs throughout the Revolutionary period. 
The great-grandfather was Col. John Grier, 



652 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



wlio was of Scotcli-Iri-h liiilli, and willi many 
other Protestants came to America about tlie 
year 1740. This sturdy old ancestor was a 
farmer and resided l)elo\v Cham1)ersburg, Pa. 
His son, Re\-. Isaac Grier, above named, was 
the first minister on the West Branch of the 
Sus<|uelianna I-^ixer; he was pastor of a Pres- 
byterian church of- Nortluunlierland, of Sun- 
bury, and in Clinton County, and was for sev- 
eral years principal of the old brick college 
at Xorthumberland. His death occurred in 
181J or 1S13. He was married to Elizabeth 
Coo|)er, a (hiughter of Dr. Coojjer, wlio was 
chap!ain at Gen. Washington's headquarters 
and was held as a prisoner by the British for 
many months. .Xmong their children were 
Ri)bert C who became an eminent jur- 
ist mid a justice of the Supreme Court of 
tlic I'nitcd States: Thomas C, principal 
of the Dan\ille .\cadem\-, who (hed \oung; 
Rev. Isaac, 1). D., a graduate of Prince- 
ton College, who jireached over fifty years in 
the Presbxterian Church; John C, who first 
settled in Dan\-ille, w here he conducted a mer- 
cantile business luitil 1^46, when he went to 
Wilkesl)arre. I'a., and thence to Peoria. 111.; 
A\illiam X. was educated at West Point, 
served on the western frontier and also dur- 
ing the Civil War, and was colonel of the ist 
keginicnl, V. S. Cavalry, later being com- 
mi.ssi()ned I)riga(lier-general; Martha, was the 
wife of Gen. Robert Orr of Kittanning, Pa.; 
Jane was married to William Hibbler of 
Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Elizabeth married Rev. Dr. 
Thomas C. Strong; Margaret married Henry 
Sproul, of Pittsburg, Pa.; M. C. was a 
prominent Pennsylvanian, greatly esteemed 
for his philanthropic nature, his puljlic spirit 
and his high place among the most honored 
and inllucntial laxinen in the synods and gen- 
eral a.ssenibly of the I'resbyterian Church. 
Isaac X. (jrier was tlie second son of M. 



C. Grier. the eldest son being W. A. M. Grier 
of Brooklyn. X. ^^. and the youngest Rev. 
J. B. Grier, 1). D. Mr. Grier graduated at 
Lafayette College in 1858. Before going to 
college he had learned telegraphy and after 
graduating he acted as secretary and treasurer 
of the old Sus(|uehanna River and North and 
West Branch Telegraph Conii)any, later 
merged into the Western Union. Meanwhile 
he studied law in the ofifice of Edward II. 
Baldy, Escp, and was admitted to the bar in 
1861. Aside from his legal ])ractice he was 
fully identified with the large public inter- 
ests of the connnunity and was especially zeal- 
ous and successful in his efforts to bring about 
the location at Danville of the State Hospital 
for the Insane, of which he is one of the trus- 
tees. In 1885 he was admonished by im- 
])aired health, resulting from overwork, to re- 
strict his practice to the management of his 
own large estate, mainly in the neighborhood 
of Scranton, and the care of a limited num- 
ber of clients. In 1865 Mr. (Iricr was mar- 
ried to Emma W. Porter, youngest daughter 
of Hon. James M. Porter of Easton, Pa., an 
eminent jurist and Secretary of War in the 
Cabinet of President Tyler. 

Mr. drier's only son, J. M. P. Grier, grad- 
uated at Lafayette College in 188S, and was 
about to be admitted to the bar when he sud- 
denly died. The daughter, Isabella, is the 
wife of Hon. Rufus King Polk, present Kej)- 
resentative in Congress from the Seventeenth 
T'ennsvlvania District. 



AXIEL F. SCHMICK. The Philadel- 
jihia & Reading Railroad Company 



B 

f— V«^ has an efficient servant in Daniel F. 
Schmick, yardmaster at Shamokin, North- 
umberland County, Pa. His connection with 
this road dates back to 1878, when he was 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL UlSTRJCT. 



053 



a brakeman; afterward he served some time 
as a conductor, and subsequently was advanc- 
ed to his present responsible ])osition as yard- 
master, which he has iillcfl to the entire satis- 
faction of the company for nearly eleven years, 
which is the most llatterini;- recojrnition of his 
ability and worth. 

Mr. Schmick was born on the cii;htieth an- 
niversary of tlie independence of our country, 
July 4, 1856, in Hamburg, Berks County, Pa., 
and is a son of Theodore and Sarah (Shafifer) 
Schmick. His father was also a native of 
Hamburg, Berks County, as was also his 
grandfather, Peter Schmick, who belonged to 
one of the pioneer families of that section of 
Pennsylvania. He was a blacksmith of noted 
skill and was living at Catawissa at his death. 
Theodore Schmick, father of our subject, was 
in acti\e ser\ice on the railroad for a period 
of at least fifteen years. He was killed Janu- 
ary 25, 1882, in a terrible manner, at the age 
of forty-six years and eleven months. He was 
in the employ of the Reading Railroad, serv- 
ing as conductor when he was deprived of 
life by a wreck on the Catawissa Branch. Prior 
to his death he was a conductor for many 
years. At the age of twenty-one he enlisted 
in a military company at Catawissa. He also 
served in the Union Army for several months 
during the Civil War. 

Mr. Schmick attended the public schools, 
but had very few advantages for securing an 
education. Early in life he learned the trade 
of a house painter, also the undertaking and 
cabinet-making business with his father in his 
native city. Subsequently he worked in a keg 
factory. His first experience at railroading 
was in the employ of the Catawissa Railroad 
Company as car greaser, after which he work- 
ed for the Philadelphia & Reading as lirake- 
man. 

Our subject was united in marriage with 



Ida Lynn and has a large family, ten children 
having been born to the couple, one now de- 
ceased. Mr. Schmick is an active and valued 
member of (iarlield Lodge No. \ .o(u , T. O. 
O. F. 



Ll LIAS DH^TZ, a ])rogres.sive and enter- 
Jpl prising farmer of Davidson township, 
Sullivan County, Pa., comes of 
Geriuan ancestry, although he, himself, was 
born .\])rl\ I, 1865, in Sugar Loaf township, 
Columbia County, and is a son of Emanuel 
and Lovina A. (Rline) Diltz. 

(jeorge Dillz, our subject's grandfather, was 
the original emigrant, ha\ing been reared to 
manhood in Germanw L'])on his arrival in 
this country he settled in Sugar Loaf town- 
ship, Columbia County, Pa., where he took up 
a tract of 150 acres of timber land. This farm 
is now divided among his sons Emanuel and 
John, and a part belongs to Thomas Smith: 
it has since been cleared and now constitutes 
one of the best pieces of farming land in that 
township. Our subject's grandfather follow- 
ed both the farming and lumbering business, 
in which he was reniarkal)]v successful; he 
owned two saw mills, one of which is still in 
operation and in possession of Silas Benja- 
min. He died in 1873 at the age of sixty-five 
years, and his wife died at about the same time 
aged sixty years. Their children were: Philip, 
Sally, Emanuel, John, Elias, and Betsey. 

Emanuel Diltz was born in Sugar Loaf 
township, and was also reared and educated 
there; he started out in life as a lumberman, 
and while still a young man purchased from 
his father 50 acres of land, upon which he 
has continued to reside up to the present time. 
He also bought his father's saw and shingle 



654 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



mill, wliicli hi' ctjiitinuc's to operate. Mr. Diltz 
i.s ])a.st his .sixty-lifth year in life and is prom- 
inently known throughout his community as 
a good neighbor and excellent citizen. Po- 
Htically he is a Democrat, and is an earnest and 
conscientious supporter of his party. Re- 
ligiously he is a member of the Methodist 
Church. Ilis union with Lovina .\. Kline re- 
sulted in the birth of the following children: 
Irvin, who wedded Clara Kitclien; Elias, our 
suljject; Emma, wife of Britton Cole; Lizzie 
15., wife of Harvey Cliuger; and Oma. 

IClias Diltz received his schooling in his 
native towiishij). Ilis lust business venture 
was in farming, he having rented his father's 
farm for one year. .After carrying on lum- 
bering a short time he remo\cd to Sullivan 
Comity and settled in XorduKiut, where he 
worked in the woods peeling bark. In 1886 
he took up his residence in Davidson town- 
shi]), wiiere he purchased his ])resent farm 
of 50 acres of Josejili Uobbins. In i8o,i he 
erected a two-story frame house and in 1896 
a fine connnodious liaru. The house stands 
on the same ground where, 75 years ago, Wil- 
liam J. and Susannah Robbins, grandparents 
of Mrs. .Mice Robbins Diltz, first built a log 
liousc and settled, and where tiiey lived for 
several years. They came from Columbia 
County, when Davidson township, Sullivan 
County, and in fact the whole of Sullivan 
County, was little better tliau a wilderness 
of fore.st. The pioneers cleared the farm and 
raised a family of four .sons and one daughter, 
— Henderson. Thomas, Leonard, Joseiih. and 
Mary. During the winter mmUlis after the 
harvests Iiad been gathered Mr. Diltz worked 
in the woods for different contractors. Our 
subject is an industrious, ])ainstaking, honest 
farmer, pos.se.ssing many warm friends in the 



community of which lie is a \alued member. 
Mr. Diltz was joined in matrimonial bonds 
with Alice Robbins, a daughter of Joseph and 
Mary (Henley) Robl)ins, and five children 
have been born to them, namely: Lester, 
Charles, Hazel Josephine, Willard, and Mary. 
In ])olitics Mr. Diltz, though not an t~)fifice- 
seeker, firmly ad\ocates the principles of the 
l^emocratic party. 




OHN ADAM CAKE, Jr.. M. D., is a 
young man who has built u]) a large 
practice in the short time he has been 
in Sunbury, Northumberland County, Pa., 
and he promises to be one of the most prom- 
inent and successful physicians of his time. 
The marvelous rapidity with which he has 
l)uilt up his present clientage is almost in- 
credil)le to one not familiar with the Doctor's 
push and energy. Almost his entire time not 
given to his practice is devoted to study, and 
his admirers feel satisfied that he will yet win 
a n.-inic that will rank high in. tlie world of 
science. Dr. Cake was born in Sunbur\', Jan- 
uary 19, 1869, is a son of John Adam and 
Minnie E. (McCullough) Cake, and a grand- 
son of Joseph Cake. 

John Adam Cake, Sr., father of Dr. John 
Adam Cake, was born in Marrisburg, Daui)hin 
County, Pa., .August 25. 1846, and is a son 
of Joseph W. Cake, after whom tlic bandet 
of Caketown, which is now part of Sunbury, 
was named. John Cake was educated at Rus- 
sell's Military School and at \';\\c and Prince- 
ton, after wbicli be read law for some time 
with Benjamin H. Brewster of Philadelphia; 
he subseciuently pursued his studies one year 
witli Rockefeller & Rohrbach of Sunbury, and 
then was admitted to the bar in Sunburv in 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



655 



March, 1870, where he lias practiced ever 
since, and also looked after his large property 
interests. In 1867-68 he was assistant cashier 
in the Philadelphia Custom House under his 
father, who was then United States Collector 
at that port. In 1878 he was a delegate to the 
convention held at Poledo, ()., for the purpose 
of organizing the Greenhack and Labor par- 
ty, and therein took an active part. Later he 
represented his district in the national con- 
ventions of 1880 and 1884, and in the ensuing 
campaigns worked hard for the success of the 
candidates, AVeaver and Butler. In 1880 he 
was his party's nominee for Congress and in 
1 88 J their candidate for judge of the Supreme 
Court. He is now a Republican, but has 
witlulrawn from active participation in poli- 
tics. On February 27, 1868, at Pottsville, 
Pa., Mr. Cake w'as married to Minnie E. Mc- 
Cullough, daughter of Capt. Hugh McCul- 
lough, who fell at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in the 
Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Cake have four chil- 
dren: Dr. John Adam, the subject of this 
sketch; Minnie C; Joseph W.; and Edith. 

Dr. John Adam Cake was educated in the 
Sunbury High School, graduating in 1887, 
after which he entered Lafayette College at 
Easton, where he studied three years. On his 
return to Sunbury he read medicine with the 
late Dr. F. B. Masser, subsequently entering 
the University of Pennsylvania, from which he 
was graduated in 1893. He immediately be- 
gan the practice of his profession at Sunbury. 
In February, 1894, Dr. Cake was joined in 
wedlock with Clara Jones, an accomplished 
voung lady of Shamokin, Coal township, Pa. 
They have one daughter, Helen Marie. Our 
subject is a great lover of athletic sports, and 
while at college he spent much time in the 
gymnasium and athletic departments. He is 
.'in active and ])articipaling ukmuIht of the 
Northumberland Count}' Medical Society. 



Tm) /^ILLIAM B. TAYLOR, one of the 
X/feV bright and energetic young busi- 
ness men of the town of Blooms- 
burg, Columbia County, who is proprietor of 
the largest bottling establishment in the 
county, was born in Roaring Creek township, 
Columbia County, in the old log house which 
stood at the foot of Cinder Tip of Esther 
Furnace, and is a son of Franklin and Eliza- 
beth (Bonawitz) Taylor, and a grandson f)f 
George and Mary (Giger) Taylor. 

George Taylor, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was of sturdy Scotch-Irish descent, 
born in Virginia, and was a veteran in the 
War of t8i2. Fie learned the trade of a mil- 
ler at Brandywine, Chester Count}', Pa., and 
later mo\'ed to Columbia County, where he 
was employed for seven years by John J. Bow- 
man of Catawissa. He followed the trade of 
a miller all his active days, and was consitl- 
ered among the best in his line of business. 
He was joined in wedlock to Mary Giger, a 
daughter of Conrad Giger, aufl a family of 
ten children was the result of this union, 
namely: Washington; Franklin, the father of 
our subject; Maria; John; Caroline; Harriet; 
Sarah; Martha; Margaret J.; and Martin. Mr. 
Taylor died at the age of fifty-five years; his 
wife lived to the age of eighty-four years. 

Franklin Taylor, the father of our subject, 
was born at Bownian's Mills, now Ash Mills, 
in Briarcreek township, Columbia County, 
Pa., January 27, 1823, and during his boy- 
hood days he worked with his father learn- 
ing the trade of a miller, and remained in his 
employ until his father's death. He then 
worked for the Esther Charcoal & Iron Fur- 
nace Company for eighteen years, and later 
became keeper of the same works. In 1863 
be removed to Bloomsburg, where he found 
employment in the fomidry works for twenty 



656 



BOOK OF BIOGRAI'HIKS. 



years, lii i.SNj Mr. Taylor was appointed 
janitor of the l'"iftli Street Public School, a po- 
sition he lu)l(ls at the present time. He pur- 
chased a home at No. 147 Fourth street, 
where he is si)ending the remainder of his 
active days. He was wedded to Elizabeth 
Bonawitz, who was born in Dauphin County, 
Pa., August 3, 1828. They are the parents 
of the following children: Jennie, deceased; 
Charles, a molder residing in I'.loomsburg; 
George, deceased; William P.. whose name 
heads this sketch; Annie and Margaret, de- 
ceased; TTarry, a merchant by profession; 
Franklin, deceased; and Clarence, deceased. 

William 11. 'I'ayloi" received his schooling in 
the public schools of Bloomsljurg. During 
vacations he worked in a brickyard, carrying 
brick and later at scraping castings for B. 
F. Sharpless; and next at mi.xing mortar and 
carrying a hod. Later he ser\-ed an appren- 
ticeshi]) with J. 11. Sterner for several years 
at the car])enter's ti'adc. For a year he 
worked at car building; then was bartender 
for his father-in-law for three years, after 
which he engaged in contracting with W. H. 
Rhodomoyer as ])artiu'r. Subseciuently our 
subject bought W. H. Gilmore's bottling 
works, the largest of the kind in Columbia 
County. He has added two buildings, 45 by 
80 feet and 25 b)- 80 feet respcctix'ely, to the 
works. Three teams are kept constantly busy 
delivering. Our subject makes a specialty of 
bottling ale, porter, carbonated drinks and 
Bartholomay lager beer. 

Our subject resides in a neat little residence 
located at No. 128 Iron street. He formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Lillie M. (lilmore, 
a daughter of \V. H. Gilmore, and grand- 
daughter of William and Hester (Quiger) Gil- 
more, both natives of Connecticut. 

W. H. Gilmore came to Columbia Coun- 
ty in 1852 and followed farming until 1862, 



when he enlisted in Company F., I32d Reg. 
Pa. Vol. Inf., and served gallantly through- 
out the war. I'hc most notable battles in 
which Mr. Gilmore ])arlicipate<I were .\ntie- 
tam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. 
After the close of the war he conducted a 
saloon for thirty-three years, and in 1883 he 
started the bottling business now owned by 
our subject. He wedded Emma Wicht, a 
daughter of William Wicht, and they reared 
the following children: l.illi;in, William, 
Charles, Mary and Harry. 

Our subject and wife are the i)arents of 
eight children, namely: Emma E. ; Charles 
H.; (jeorge F. ; Jennje Ai.; Lillian M.; Ilattie 
B., deceased; Annia K.; and Willie D. Mr. 
Taylor is a stanch Demociat in his political 
views; socially he is a member of the O. U. 
A. M. of Bk)omsburg. 



^OHN F. GIBBONS, who ably repre- 
sents the h'irst Ward in the borough 
council of Mount Carmel, Northum- 
berkmd County, I'a., is the ])o])ular pr(i])ric- 
tor of a hotel located at \'ine and Water 
streets, and is widelv known as one of the 
leading citizens of his community. He is a 
son of John and Mar_\- (Gibbons) Gibbons, 
and was born in Momit Carmel township, 
Northumberland County, December 1, i8f')2. 
John (iibbons, the f:ither of our subject, 
was born in County Mayo, Ireland, but when 
young came to .America, where he followeil 
the occupation of a miner. He continued in 
that line of work until he met his death by 
accident while working in tlie mines, Febru;nw 

^5- 1878. 

John F. Gibbons, our subject, was edu- 
cated in the conmion schools and began active 
work on his own account as a slate-picker at 




HUGH U. McBRIDE. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



H59 



tlie a,^■e of eight years. Being naturally bright 
and industrioiLS, he was hound to work his 
way to better things, and it was but a short 
time until he was a driver, and next a loader- 
boss. He then worked for a time with his 
brother, P. H. Gibbons, who is now district 
superintendent of the United Improved Gas 
Company of Philadelphia, but was then en- 
gaged in the tea business. He next accepted 
a position in the Pennsylvania Railroad de- 
pot as a trucker, in which capacity he served 
for six months, when he returned to Mount 
Carmel and resumed work in the mines. This 
he continued until November 24, 1892, when 
he embarked in the hotel business at X'ine and 
Water streets, where he has since been lo- 
cated. He has met with unusual success in 
this lousiness and has established a first-class 
reputation. He has entered actively into the 
field of politics and is one of the leaders in 
the Democratic party. He has frequently 
been a delegate to county con\cntions, and 
in February, 1896, was elected to the borough 
council from the First Ward, a high compli- 
ment to his popularity, for the district had 
gone ReiJublican by three hundred majority 
at the previous election. He served his con- 
stituents so well that he was again persuaded 
to run for the office. 

On Septemlier 27, 1887, Mr. (Gibbons was 
united in marriage to Mary K. Uuiuu, and 
they are the parents of four children: Mary; 
Katie; .\drian, who died at the age of three 
and a half years; and Helen, who died at 
the age of thirteen months. In social life our 
subject is also very prominent, being an offi- 
cer in many fraternities. He is a member of 
the F. (). R. L. B., of which he was president 
and also treasurer for .six successive terms; 
of the .\ncient Order of Hibernians, of which 
he has Ijeen treasurer since its organization in 
1882; he was also count v treasurer of the 



same society, having held three treasurerships 
at the same time, and in 1893 was a delegate 
to the state convention of the A. O. H., which 
was held at I'itts1)nrg, Pa.; he was a meml)er 
of the Knights of Fabor when that order 
flourished, and attended many of the conven- 
tions of that society at .Siuibury, Shamokiu, 
Lykens and other places; he was formerly a 
member of the Amalgamated .\ssociation, and 
while quite young was elected treasurer: he 
is a member of the Citizens' Hook and Fadder 
Company, and has been one almost since its 
organization. He is very active in the work 
which comes before the council and was 
elected ijresidenl (if the finance conunittee. 
president of the council, being the first Dem- 
ocrat to acquire that honor, and was chair- 
man of the law and street committees. 




UGH D. McBRIDE. Among the 
well-to-do and successful agricultur- 
ists of Columbia County is the sul)- 
ject of this sketch, residing on a fine farm 
in Hemlock township. His ])ortrait is pre- 
sented on a jjr^'ceding page. He has been 
interested in the agricultural development of 
the county more or less all his life, and in the 
prosecution of his vocation he has met with 
far more than ordinary success. He was born 
on the old Mc Bride homestead in Hemlock 
township January 30, 1828, and is a son of 
William ;md Mercy Carr (Barton) McBride. 
Hugh McBride, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was reared and educated in the northern 
part of Ireland and was of Scotch-Irish des- 
cent. With his wife and children he came to the 
United States and purchased from the Penn 
estate a tract of land consisting of 640 acres 
of wild and uncultivated land in Hemlock 
township. Columl)ia County, Pa. He cleared 
a part of his purchase and engaged in tilling 



660 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the soil; he was the first settler in that section 
of the comity. His farm was located at the 
lower end of h'ro.sty Valle\' and is now di- 
\ided iutd tin^ee larg^e farms, one of which is 
owned l)y the estate of tlic late V. A. h'.vans, 
another by Rohcrt Crossley, and tiic third 
])art is owned li\- onr subject and is known 
as the old ]\lcl>ri<le homestead. Politically 
Hugh Mcl'ride was a firm Democrat. He 
was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
He was the father ^if eit^ht children: Hugh, 
James, Nathan, Thomas, William, Jane, Su- 
san, and Mary, all of whom are deceased. 

William .Mcr)ri<k', the father of our sub- 
ject, was burn on the old homestead in Hem- 
lock tounshii) and was reared to agricultural 
jinrsuits. lie was alst) a ])ionccr of Colum- 
bia County and w;is a prominent member of 
his conmnmity. lie was a soklier in the War 
of 1S12. Politically he was a Jackson Dem- 
ocrat and served two terms, 1824 to 1828, in 
the State Legislatm-e. Religiously he was 
an active and consistent member of the Pres- 
byterian Church. He chose for his compan- 
ion Mercy Carr Barton, a daughter of Elisha 
Barton, a descendant of the old Barton family 
that early settled in this part of the state. .\s 
a result of this union four sons and five daugh- 
ters were born, all of whom are deceased but 
onr subject. They were as follows: Mary, 
who was the wife of William Emmet and 
resided in Ohio; Kachacl, who was the wife 
of John llarkley; Sarah, who wedded \\'illi:ini 
G. Quick; Su.san; Elizalieth; James, who 
went to the Mexican War and was never 
heard from afterwards; Franklin, who was a 
farmer on the old homestead until his death: 
William; and Hugh TX, the subject of this 
sketch. 

Hugh D. Mcl!ri<le was reared on the old 
homestead and recei\ed his education in the 
public schools of Catawissa ;md also in the 



high school of that town. \\'hile a young 
man he learned the trade of a pl.isterer, which 
he followed a few years, and then returned to 
the old homesle.'id ;ind engaged in the pur- 
suits of rui agriculturist. 

In politics our subject is a >u])p(irtcr of the 
Democratic part\ .and h;is held se\eral lnwn- 
ship offices, lie is a member of Catawissa 
Lodge, No. 349, ]•". ^: A. M., and has been a 
Mason for thirty-one years. Mr. McHride was 
wedded to Alveretta Stecker, a daughter of 
Gideon Stecker, a farmer of Hemlock town- 
ship. Two children have blessed the home of 
our subject and his wife: Charles Groxer; and 
Anna. 



AMES A. McCarthy, a prosperous 
merchant of Locust Gap, Northum- 
berland County, Pa., is an active and 
influential worker in the field of politics, be- 
ing a jirominent member of the Democratic 
party in his section. He is a gentleman who 
has always labored for the best interests of 
the village and he is accorded the respect and 
good will of his many acquaintances in the 
county. He is a son of John and Margaret 
(Mohan) McCarthy, and was born in Locust 
Gap, Nortlunnbcrl'md County, Pa., Eebru- 
ary 10, 1864. 

Our subject's grandfather was Francis Mc- 
Carthy, a native of County Longford, Ireland, 
who upon coming to this country located at 
Minersville, Schuylkill County, where he was 
among the earliest settlers. His vocation was 
that of a miner. 

John McCarthy, the father of our subject, 
was born in Schuylkill County, in Fel)ruar\-, 
T837, and there grew to manhood, but at the 
age of twenty-five or twenty-six years, he re- 
moved to Locust Gap. He was engaged in 
mining work, being employed in the capa- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



(561 



city of an engineer, and was very successful 
in liis life's work. He died in 1865. In his 
political affiliations he was a firm supporter of 
the principles of the Democratic party. He 
was joined in Hymen's bonds with Margaret 
Mohan, who was born in Ireland, but came to 
America at about the age of six years, settling 
in California. She later moved east to Pitts- 
burg, Pa., thence to Schuylkill County, and 
finally to Northumberland County, where she 
was married. The couple became the proud 
parents of throe children, namely: Frank, 
now deceased: James A., the subject of our 
sketch: and John, wlicj is proprietor of the 
Locust Summit Hotel at Locust Gap. 

James A. McCarthy was reared at Locust 
Gap and there attended the public schools 
until 1884, when he took a commercial course 
in Bryant & Stratton's Business College in 
Philadelphia. After the completion of his 
studies in that institution he returned to Lo- 
cust Gap and accepted a position with William 
Harvey, the leading general merchant of the 
village. He faithfully discharged the duties 
of his position for five years, and hav- 
ing acquired an extensive knowledge of 
the business, he bought the store and has 
since conducted it in a highly successful 
manner. As a business man he is shrewd 
and enterprising, and, beginning as he did 
without means, it is greatly to his cred- 
it thai be occupies his present position 
in the affairs of Locust Gap. He is a Demo- 
crat in his political attachments, and in him 
is found a stanch advocate of the cause of his 
party. He is active in county, state and na- 
tional [jolitics, and has frequentlv represented 
his district as a delegate to various conven- 
tions, in 1895 and 1896 being ciiairman of the 
Democratic county committee. In 1896 he 
attended the Democratic national convention 
held at Chicago, which nominated W'illirun 



Jennings Bryan for president. At present he is 
efficiently serving as tax collector of Mount 
Carmel township, having ijeen elected in 1897 
for a term of three years. His name is fre- 
quently mentioned as a candidate for pro- 
thonotary of Northumberland County, and 
we are assiu'ed that if he consents to run for 
that office he will receive the undivided sup- 
port not only of his party, but his many 
friends who favor the opposing party in prin- 
ciple. 

December 31, 1885, Mr. McCarthy was 
united in marriage with Bridget Harvey, a 
daughter of William Harvey, the former pro- 
prietor of the mercantile house now conducted 
by our subject, and their children are as fol- 
lows: Mary Jane, Margaret, Regina, and 
Elizal)eth, deceased; Cora: and Marv. 




ON. WILLIAM M. ROCKEFEL- 
LER, who for a period of twenty- 
one years was recognized as the 



leading attornev 



the Northumberland 



County Bar, and who for another period of 
twenty years presided as the judge of the 
Eighth Judicial District of Pennsylvania, was 
born in Sunl)ur\'. N()rthunil)crland Countv, 
his present place of residence, August 18. 
1830, and is a son (if David and Catherine 
(Mettler) Rockefeller. His active career has 
been a meritorious one, and his impcjrtant la- 
bors on bar and bench entitle him to the 
highest regard and esteem of his fellow-tf)wns- 
men. Since he retired from the bench in 
1 89 1 he has been leading a more or less re- 
tired life, because of poor health, and has 
spent much of the time in the South; he has 
also indulged himself in considerable travel- 
ing, visiting the principal countries of Europe. 
The familv is of either Holland or German 



6u2 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Stock. To l)Cijin witli, tlic ori<jinal ancestor 
of the Rockefellers in America, Peter Rocke- 
feller, was liorn in llie ( )1(1 Conntry in 1710, 
and emigrated to America, settling" in Arm- 
ville, Hunterdon County, N. J., where he ac- 
(|uired a vast tract of land. His will bear- 
ing the date December 6, 1738, transfers 763 
acres of land, situated in Arnnille townsliip, 
to liis son, who was also named Peter. Of 
the cliildren of Peter Jvockefeller, Jr., one, 
(iodfrey Rockefeller, was a 1)rothcr of the 
grandfather of John D. Rockefeller, the 
Standard ( )il magnate, and the great-grand- 
f.'ither of our subject. 

(lodfrev Ivockefeller m()\ed to Northum- 
berland County, I 'a., in 179!^ and took u\> his 
residence as a ]iioneer farmer near Snyder- 
town, in l\ush tnwnshi]), where he owned a 
large farm, which he transformed into a cul- 
tivated state from a dense wilderness of for- 
est, its condition when he settled u])on it. 
Of his children William Rockefeller, the 
grandfather of the Judge, was bom, reared, 
lived and died on the old homestead farm in 
Kush townshi]), engaged wholly in agricul- 
tnr;d i)tu-suits. His life was not characterized 
by any especially stirring events, for he was 
content to enjoy home life, secure in the 
estimation and good will of his fellow-citizens. 
llis wife bore him several children, and ot 
these David Rockefeller, the father of the 
subject of this biographical review, was born 
oil the homestead, Sei^tember 6, 1802. 

David Rockefeller grew to manhood on the 
homestead and obtained the customary rudi- 
ments of an education in the conuuon schools 
of Rush tounshi]): he gave especial attention 
in his young manhood to the study of sur- 
veying, and practically made it his life occupa- 
tion. He became one of the most efficient 
and expert Land surveyors of Pennsylvania 
and liad ample scope for his talents in that 



line, for he was fre(juently called upon to sur- 
vey disputed lines, locate original lines, cor- 
ners, etc., and to give expert testimony in 
court ill cases arising out of such disputes. 
He thus obtained wide reputation, for liis 
work carried him into all sections of the Key- 
stone State. He served as deputy sherilT a 
number of years in early life, was register and 
recorder by apiiointment in 1847-48, and 
served as deinity surveyor general of North- 
umberland County for a lc)ng term of vears, 
being considered by his fellow-citizens almost 
a fixture in that office. He was one of the 
best +:nown men in his part of the state, this 
distinction resting almost wholb' upon his 
good work as a surveyor. In 182^) he located 
in Sunbury, and spent the remainder of his 
life there, dying in that town .\ugust 22, 1876. 
He married Catlicriue Mettier and they be- 
came the proud parents of five children, three 
of whom died in infancy, the two surviving 
children being: William M., the subject of 
these lines; and A, Jordan, an attorney-at- 
law, who died in 1862. 

Judge Rockefeller acquired an excellent 
academic education in Sunbury Academy, and 
then read law with the late Hon. John B. 
Packer of Sunbury, and the late Judge Jor- 
dan, also cjf Sunbury, with wlmni he com- 
pleted his professional training, being adiiiit- 
tetl to the bar of Northumberland County on 
.\ugust 6, 1850. He j)racticeil law one year 
in Minersville, Scluiylkill County, and then 
located in Suul)ury, where lie practiced ct)n- 
tinually until 1871, when he was elevated to 
the bench. Juitering upon the jjractice of 
law with a complete preiiaratiou and basing 
mental abilities and a natural bent of the kind 
considered most useful for a lawyer. Judge 
l-Jockefeller attained both prosperity and in- 
Ihiencc in his twenty-one years of \'aried ])rac- 
tice and \aluable experience. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



fifi3 



Ever since the War of the Rebellion, our 
.subject has been a stanch Republican, al- 
though he was a Democrat before ihe struggle 
that showed the folly of secession. He was 
elected to the position of president judge of 
the Eighth Judicial District of Pennsylvania 
on the Republican ticket and served two terms 
of ten years each, presiding until 1891, his 
excellent record as a judge being indorsed 
in 1881 liy a re-election to the judgeship. 
He was succeeded in i8y[ by the present in- 
cumbent. Judge Savidge, whose personal his- 
tory we present on another page of this Book 
of Biographies. In 1855, a few years after 
locating in Snnbury for the practice of his 
profession, our suljject was elected chief bur- 
gess of the borough. In 1853, in collaliora- 
tion with Judge Jordan and M. L. Shindel, 
he revised and edited the second edition of 
the "American Pleader's Assistant," a guide 
for young law\'ers in pleading and legal forms, 
that has found a place in many libraries. 
During his twenty years on the bench Judge 
Rockefeller tried a great number of cases, 
among which were many prosecutions 
brought against the "Molly Maguires." He 
delivered the opinion of the court in the Ly- 
coming judicial contest, which covered a long 
term of years, anci a vast amount of com- 
plicated evidence. As a judge, our subject 
was clear, concise and decided, upholding well 
the dignity of the bench, and exhibiting legal 
learning that made all of the members of 
the bar entertain for him the profoundest re- 
spect. Few of his rulings ever admitted a 
questioning douljt, and very rarely have his 
decisions been reversed in a higher court. 
He was very popular in legal circles and was 
a man of no small political influence. 

On August II, 1857, occurred the cere- 
monv that united Judge Rockefeller in mar- 
riage with Emily Jones, daughter of Thomas 



and Maria (Housel) Jones of Lewisbnrg, 
L'niou County, Pa. They have three child- 
ren, namely: Mary, the wife of J. Nelson 
Ewing, of Baltimore; Charles W.; and Flora, 
the wife of Ward Rice of Pueblo, Colo. 

Charles W. Rockefeller, our subject's only 
son, is a leading attorney at Sunbury, and 
is also engaged in the insurance business, l)e- 
ing a member of the firm of Derr & Rocke- 
feller. The family are members of the Pres- 
bvterian Church, in which the judge has been 
a trustee for nearly forty years and chair- 
man of the board since 1876. He is a man 
of fine, gentlemanly instincts, true to all that 
is best in life, and a power for good in the 
community where almost his entire life has 
been spent. 




ISS FRANCES E. HAWLEY is 
one of the most estimable women 

of Watsontown, Delaware town 

ship, Northumberland County, Pa., and is a 
descendant of families of great prominence. 
She is the only surviving child of John Milton 
and Jane L. (Alder) Hawley. 

John Milton Hawley, who is living in prac- 
tical retirement on his farm near the village 
of Watsontown, was born in Muncy. Lycom- 
ing Comity, Pa., June _'(>, 1825. and is a son 
of Enos and Mary (Sweeney) Hawley, and a 
grandson of Robert Hawley. Robert Haw- 
ley, who was born on the Brandywine River 
in Chester County, Pa., was of English an- 
cestry. Being a strict adherent to the Quaker 
doctrines he did not participate in the Revo- 
lutionary War, but tradition tells ns that Rob- 
ert Hawley was warned to flee from his home 
and, shortly after, the battle of Brandywine 
was fought upon his premises. He learned 
the tanner's trade. In 1800 he settled in Ly- 
connng, Pa., with a colony of Quakers at 



664 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Pennsdale, near Muncy, where he conducted 
a tannery. He subsequently operated a tan- 
nery in riugliesville, but at the time of his 
death resided at Muncy. He and his wife. 
Patience, i)()tli lived to an advanced age and 
lie buried in the Friend's Burying-ground at 
Pennsdale. They reared the following child- 
ren : Robert; Gideon; Enos; Ann (Haynes); 
Hannah (Whitaker); and Mary (Yearsley). 

Enos Hawlcy, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Chester Couury, Pa., and 
when young moved with his parents to Ly- 
coming County, where he learned the trade of 
a tanner. Pie first located in Muncy 1)ut later 
went to Hughes\ilk' where he succeeded to 
his father's business and continued it until his 
letirenient. when he rcuKned to Muncy. He 
was a])i)(iinled postmaster and serxxd in that 
capacity for seventeen years. He was a good 
general itusiness man and lived a long and 
useful life, dying at the age of eighty years; 
liis wife died at the age of seventy-eight years. 
He married Mary Sweeney, a daughter of 
John Sweeney, a soldier of the Revolutionary 
War who lived to reach the age of ninety.- 
nine \cars, and their union was blessed by the 
I)irth of four children : John Milton, the fath- 
er of our subject; Robert, who married Sarah 
J. Cook; Lucrelia. the wife of Russell l>o- 
dine; and iVlfred, who m;trricd Rachel W'il- 
Ictts. 

John Milton llawlcy attended the com- 
mon schools .'md received a good intellectual 
training, after which he took up the occupa- 
tion which his father had followed for many 
years with good results, that of a tanner. In 
1863 he was appointed clerk to the superin- 
tendent of the Catawissa Railroad and re- 
moved to Catawissa where he faithfully dis- 
charged the duties oi that position until 1874. 
In that year he located at Watsontown and 
jnn-chased part of the Partlee estate near the 



village, and there followed market gardening 
until 1893, since which time he has lived in 
retirement. He is a man of strong character 
and splendid habits, and is highly respected by 
all. He was joined in matrimonial bonds with 
Jane L. Alder, September 2, 1848, on the old 
Alder homestead known as "Rose Hill," at 
Muncy. Mrs. Hawley is a daughter of 
Joshua and Elizabeth (Lewis) Alder, and 
comes from a distinguished family. 

Joshua W. .\Mer was born in New Castle, 
Nortluuuberland County, England, in Octo- 
ber, 1788, and was a son of Caleb and Doro- 
thy (Walker) .\lder. The family is of French 
origin and was established in England by 
French refugees. Caleb Alder was born in 
New Castle, Nortlunnl)erland County, Eng- 
land, it is tlioiiglit, ami with his wife and only 
child came to the United States, locating in 
New York City, in 1802. He was a man of 
wealth and lived the life of an English gentle- 
man, doing no active work but investing his 
capit.al in real estate, owning at one time what 
is to-day known as Hoboken, N. J. There he 
died and there his son, Joshua W. Alder, grew 
to manhood, attending the public schools for 
some years. He later went to England to 
complete his education, and while in that 
country met and married Jane Lewis, a 
daughter of Lyson Lewis, returning to this 
countrv soon after. He settled in New York 
City and there studied chemistry and survey- 
ing, acejuiring an extensi\e knowledge of both 
branches which was inxrduable to him in his 
subsequent work. George Lewis, the uncle of 
Joshua W. Alder's wife, who was a large mer- 
chant and a very wealthy man of New York 
City, acquired several thousand acres of land 
in Sullivan County, Pa., and desiring to know- 
its worth, engaged Mr. Alder, then a young 
and energetic man. to investigate his pur- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



665 



chase. This he accordingly did and while 
prospecting discovered a beautiful lake on a 
mountain top which he inuncdiatel)- named 
Lewis Lake, but it has since been renamed 
Eagle's Mere and is at the present day one 
of the most popular summer resorts in the 
state of PennsvKania. There Joshua discov- 
ered a fine quality of white sand, and by means 
of his deep knowledge of chemistry, he read- 
ily saw that glass couUl be made from it. This 
aft'ortled a valuable field of iiidustrv. as there 
was very little glass manufactiu'cil in the 
United States. He gathered a sample of the 
sand, returned to Xew York City, and there 
analyzed it, [iroxing to his satisfaction that it 
was of the desired quality. George Lewis 
immediately made preparations to open this 
\ahiable industry and engaged Mr. Alder and 
Israel Lewis, his brother-in-law from Eng- 
land, to go to the lake and erect suitable 
luhldings for the manufacture of glass. As 
there were no railroads, they, with a large 
force of men, made their way overland l)v 
means of wagons and horses, going Ijy the 
way of Berwick, Danville, and Muncv, and 
finally up the valley to their destination. Then 
their work began in earnest, making roads 
through an almost inpenetrable forest and 
hewing down trees for the erection of build- 
ings. Finally all was accom])lished and every 
thing ready for the manufacture of glass. In 
a short time they were turning out a very 
fine quality of clear window glass and nothing 
remained but to place it upon the market, 
but then the most serious obstacle of all pre- 
sented itself. The only market to which the 
glass could be taken was Philadelphia, and 
that could only be reached by wagon over a 
rough and mountainous road. Many attempts 
were made to take glass to Philadelphia, but 
each time the glass was broken, and after a 
trial of six years the venture was abandoned. 



They then attempted to raise sheep there and 
shiijped manv hundred out from New York 
Citv, and ill this too they were unfortunate, 
for the sheep died in the winter months. It 
has been estimated that George Lewis sunk 
a half million dollars in these ventures, and 
there is now no trace of what promised to be 
one of the most prosperous industries in the 
state, the buildings having long since been 
torn down, and in their stead are to be found 
nothing but pleasure resorts. Joshua W. 
Alder and his wife moved to Lewis Lake in 
1810. and after abandoning the glass enter- 
])rise, moved to Muncy, where he built a 
home which is now ownetl by William Ellis. 
In 1822 he built the handsome residence 
there which is now owned by Mrs. Fanny 
Musser and occupied b)- her and his daugh- 
ter, Mrs. Elizabeth L. Foster. Mrs. Foster 
now owns the old piano which was manu- 
factured in London by George Astor, and 
which her father moved about with him to his 
various homes, and she values it very highly 
as a family heirloom. Mrs. Alder died at 
the age of twenty-eight years, and Joshua 
subsequently returned to England where he 
married h'lizabeth Lewis, a sister of his first 
wife, and a woman t)f m,in\- accomplishments. 
iMr. ,\lder died in 1837, at the age of forty- 
se\en )ears, but his wife lived to the age of 
eighty-two years, before passing into the 
world of rest. Their union was blessed by 
the birth of six children: George: Lyson: 
William A.; Jane L. : Faimy: and Emma. 

Mr. and Mrs. John .M. Ilawley liecame the 
parents of four children, namely: Elizabeth; 
Joshua W.: Frances E.; and Caroline L., all 
dead but our subject. Her parents are both 
enjoying excellent health, although now well 
a'ong in \ears, and they enjoy the love and 
respect of all who know them. 



666 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



J-^ K. KlMliliR C. McWILLIAMS, one 
^=1 I if tlio Icadiiii;; physicians of Sliamo- 
^ kin, I 'a., was l)orn at Elysl)urg, 
NortliiinilnTlaiid C'minty, Pa., October 7, 
1857, and is a son of William and Catherine 
(Caldwell) McWillianis. llis grandfather, Da- 
vid McWilliams, was horn in Turbot town- 
ship, Northumberland County, Pa. Soon 
after his marriage to Jane Craig he removed 
to a farm near IClysbnrg, being one of the 
earliest settlers in that community. 

J)r. McWilliams began his education in the 
l)nblic schools and later took a ilnishing 
course at l^lysburg Academy, afterward teach- 
ing school for a nunil)cr of vears. In the 
course of these events he chose a profession 
and began the study of medicine under Dr. 
S. V. (iilbert of Elysbiu-g, after which he en- 
tered Jefferson Medical College of I'hiladel- 
l)hia, graduating in i8<S4. J le immediately be- 
gan the i)ractice of his profession at Main- 
ville, Columbia County, where he remained, 
however, only two uKmlhs, subseciuently lo- 
cating in Snydertown, where he remained 
about two years, in iSSd he removed to 
Shamokin, and on ( )ctober 11, i<SS7, was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Chester of 
that |)lace. Desiring to treat special diseases 
scicnlilically, he removed to Philadelphia in 
1N9J, where he practiced his profession tln'ee 
years, at the same time taking special lectures 
on diseases of the eye, ear. nose, and throat 
at the Jefferson Hosjiilal. 

1 )ni'ing the last \ear nf his sta)' in Phila- 
delphia he was chief assistant of a clinic at the 
Polytechnic Hospital and was superintend- 
ent <if the lieacon Dispensarv the entire three 
}'ears of his stay in Philadel])hia. Having 
com])letcd his purpose in these three years of 
stud}- and practical experience in the hospi- 
tals named above, he returned to Shamokin 
and began treating diseases of the eve, ear. 



nose, and throat. His success in these special 
departments of medicine has been greater 
than anticipated. Aside from having a large 
practice among a desirable class of patrons 
our subject does mucli charity work and is 
amply repaiil in the knowledge of his power 
to relieve suffering and by the expressions 
of gratitude from the recipients of his benefi- 
cence. In religious belief he is a Presbyte- 
rian and has been an elder in that church for 
a numljer of years. 

William McWilliams. father of Dr. K. C. 
McWilliams, was born in Turl)ot township, 
where he li\ed through the period of his early 
years. He was educated in .Miltun Academy 
and learned the profession of a civil engineer, 
following it throughout his acti\e life. He 
assisted in laying out the bnrough of Shamo- 
kin, and was employed in making the survey 
of the railroad from Shamokin to Sunbury, 
w orking under Kimber Cleaver. Many of the 
mines in the early development of the coal in- 
dustry were sm'\e\eil b\- him and many of the 
maps were made from his measurements. 

In politics he was always a Republican, but 
ne\er aspired to office. He was an elder in 
the Presbyterian Church for many years, was 
greatly interested in the educational system 
of oiu' cotmtry, ;md was very active in its 
cause, being one of the ])rinie movers in the 
founding of Elysljurg Academy. He was es- 
pecially interested in the common schools of 
his township. He and his estimable wife were 
blessed with a family of h\e children, foiu" 
sons and one daughter: Clifton C, who was 
engaged in teaching dtuMug his yoimger days 
and now resides rm the old home farm near 
Elysl)urg, — he is an active Prohibitionist; 
Kimber C. ; David A., a graduate of Dickin- 
son Seminary, who studied law at Mimieap- 
olis, where he ])racticed several years, — he 
subsecinentlv entered the McCormick Theo- 




MOSES AUSTIN ROGERS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



669 



logical Seminary at Chicago, became a min- 
ister and now liokls a cliarge in tiiat city; Cora 
R., for eig^ht years a successful teacher in the 
Shamokin schools, who is now a student in the 
University of Chicago; and William Caldwell, 
who died in carl\' childhood. 



^I^VTV OSES AUSTIN ROGERS, whose 

1= I =* portrait the publishers present on 
A '?ilir' \^_^ the opposite page, is the oldest 
merchant in Sullivan County, Pa., having es- 
tablished himself in business in the town of 
Forksville in 1855, and it may be easily said 
that no other store in the county excels his. 
He is the senior member of the well known 
firm of M. A. Rogers & Son, which was 
formed in 1S82, his son, \\'illiam C, being 
junior r'ember, ami he is respected as one 
of the valued men of his comnumity. He 
has been a life-long resident of Forksville. 
He was born March 22, 1833, and is a son 
of Moses and Jane (Sadler) Rogers, and 
grandson of Samuel Rogers. 

The Rogers family is of English descent 
and our subject traces his ancestral history 
back to \\'illiaiu Rogers, who was a grandson 
of John Rogers, the martyr, who was born in 
1505. The next in line of descent was Jos- 
eph, born in 1732; then Samuel, born in 
Standah, England, May i, 1760; the ne.xt was 
Samuel Rogers, Jr., the grandfather of our 
subject, who was born December 6, 1762, at 
Bramley, three miles west of Leeds in York- 
shire, England. He learned tlie trade of a 
weaver in his early days and followed it in 
his native country until the summer of 1801, 
when he and his family joined his oldest son, 
Samuel, who had come to America in 1800, 
and had located in the city of Philadelphia, Pa. 
He rented a small farm near that city, but, 



wishing to make a larger settlement for his 
family, he went north and at the forks of 
Loyalsock Creek, in Sulli\an County, Pa., he 
purchased of Dr. Joseph Priestley, a tract of 
land consisting of 124 acres, the price per 
acre being but $2.50. He then returned to 
his family, sending his son, Jonathan, to his 
new home to erect a log cabin and prepare 
for their coming; there he cleared a part of 
his land and in addition to farming and work- 
ing at his trade manufactured neatsfoot oil. 
His estate is now in the possession of his 
grandson, John W. Rogers. Samuel was 
married June i, 1782, to Ann Gaunt, who was 
born in 1762, and they reared the following 
children: Samuel, born December 6, 1782, 
died J'"ebruary 14, 1857; Joseph, born .\ugust 
I, 1784, died April 3, 1847; Jonathan, born 
Octol)er 7, 1785, died August 20, 1830; John, 
born February 11, 1787, died March i, 1858; 
William, born March 17, 1788, died Novem- 
ber 19, 1872; Hannah, born Feliruary 13, 
1790, died October 13, 1848; Richard, born 
July 15, 1791, died November 15, 1875; 
David, born January 9, 1793. died February 
10, 1840; Abram, born Feljruary 28, 1794. 
died March 6, 1794; Elizabeth, born April 9, 
1795, died on the day of her birth; Martha, 
born May 8, 1796, died February i, 1798; 
Benjamin^ born September 28, 1797, died 
May 7. 185 1 ; Reuben, 1>orn December 8, 1798, 
died July 24, 1850; Jacob, born January 31, 
1800, died in June, 1801; George, born De- 
cember 9, 1802, died October 24, 1804; Isaac, 
born July 26, 1804. died February 15, 1856; 
Moses, our sul)ject's father; and Martha, born 
May II, 1808, died Fel)ruary 18, 1879. Our 
subject's grandfather died January 29, 1828, 
and his grandmother died in 1823. 

Moses Rogers was born on his father's 
homestead April 14, 1806, and worked with 
his father during his vonth, assisting him in 



670 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



farming ami llic lunihcr l)usiness. lie also 
worked in the woolen factory which was erect- 
ed in 1803 by his Ijrothers, Jonathan and Sam- 
uel. It was the first factory of its kind in that 
section of the state. They bought their wool in 
Philadelphia, hauled it over the mountains by 
teams, and manufactiu'ed it into cloth, which 
was then taken back to Philadelphia where it 
was made into clothing for the soldiers of the 
War of i(Si_>. In 1817 the factory was de- 
stroyed b_\- a Hood and was never rebuilt. 
Moses later took possession of the homestead 
upon which he built a fine house and out- 
Iniildings and increased the acreage of the 
farm to 400 acres. He died February t8, 
1879. Mis wife was Jane Sadler, a daughter 
of Joseph Sadler, and she was Ijorn August 
20, t8io, and died February 6, 1892. The 
following children resulted from this union: 
Zilphia, born August 2, 1829; Samuel S., born 
September 22, 1831; Moses A., our subject; 
Isaac, born August 19, 1834; William, born 
October 8, 1836, was killed at the battle of 
Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; Mary Jane, born 
February 8, 1838; and John W'., born Jan- 
uary 2, 1845. I" jiolitics Mr. Rogers was a 
Kei)ublican. 

Moses Austin Rogers attended the connnon 
schools and tlien started in business as a clerk 
in the store of Alonzo Potter, who owned the 
first store in Forksvillc, anil later was with 
W. J. I'Lldred, remaining with him for foiu" 
years. In June, 1855, he erected a building 
and buying a complete line of general mer- 
chandise began business for himself; in 1874 
he built on a new front to the store and to-day 
has one of the most complete general stores in 
Sullivan County; his store occupies two floors, 
both being stocked with all the articles which 
tend to make his stock of goods complete. 
He gives his customers the closest attention 
and by iionesty and courtesy to iiis patrons 



has built up a very large trade. In 1882 he 
took his son William C. into the business, and 
the firm lias since been known as M. A. Rog- 
ers & Son. In 1866 our subject erected a 
handsome home in the town; he also owns 
considerable other property in the township. 
Mr. Rogers is one of tlie most enterprising 
and progressive business men in the town of 
l'"orks\ille. alwa\s intercslcil in any moNcnient 
which tends to ad\'ance and build up his 
adopted town. 

Afr. Rogers was wedded to Abigail Potter, 
a daughter of George \\ . Potter, a retired ma- 
chinist of Towanda, and this union resulted 
in the following oft'spring: William C. ; Charles 
S.; Josephine married R. W. Stephens, by 
whom she has two children, Leon and Carl- 
ton; George Arthur; and ]Mary Eva, de- 
ceased. 

William C. Rogers was born December 4, 
1859, and was educated in the high school at 
X'inelaud, N. J., and at the Poughkeepsie 
Business College, graduating from the latter 
institution in 1882; upon returning home he 
entered the store of his father as a ])artner. 
He married Mary E. Wright, a daughter of 
John Wright, and to them one child has been 
born, (iny W., born March 31, 1884. He is a 
member of Evergreen Lodge, No. if)3. 1*'. & 
.\. M.; Xo. 161, R. A. M., of Towanda: and 
.\'o. iCi, K. T., of Towanda. He served in the 
State Legislature in 1887-88 and has also 
ser\ed in the town council. He is \ice-presi- 
dent and a director of the National Bank of 
Dushore. 

Charles S. Rogers is a dentist of Towanda 
and married Mary Marsden, by whom he had 
three children: Stanley, Marsden, and Helen, 
(jeorge Arthur Rogers was born March ji>, 
1873, and is a graduate of the School of 
Electricity of Washington. D. C. in 1897 he 
bought out B. W. Fawcett of P'orksville and 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



671 



HOW conducts a jewelry store. He is a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 522, I. O. O. F., and is also 
past grand of the same. On January 
17, 1899, he was united in marriage with 
Mazie Shafer, a daughter of Jesse Shafer of 
Forks\-ille. 

Our subject is a strong Republican in poli- 
tics, as are all his sons, and served as post- 
master thirty-one years; lie has also been 
school director and overseer of the poor. He 
was treasurer of the Home Insurance Com- 
pany, but resigned in 1897, having held that 
office for eighteen years. In 1876 he was 
elected associate judge of Sullivan County 
and held the office for a period of five years. 
His associate on the bench was F. B. Pom- 
eroy of Dushore, now deceased. In 1884 he 
was alternate delegate to llic national con- 
vention in Chicago which nominated James 
G. Blaine. Religiously he is a member of the 
Methodist Church and has served as trustee, 
steward and superintendent of the Sunday 
School. Sociallv he is a member of I. (J. O. F. 



1=4 ERNEST DAVIS is classed among 
(-^•mm^ • the solid and substantial business 
men of the town of Berwick, Pa., and is su- 
perintendent of the Berwick Electric Light 
Company. He was born at Jersey Shore, Ly- 
coming County, Pa., July 16, 1869, and is a 
son of Thomas H. B. Davis, a well-known 
carpenter and contractor of Summer Hill, 
Briarcreek township. Pa. 

For many years our subject had charge of 
the C. R. ^^'oo(lin electric light plant on the 
Heights, where he pro\ed himself to be an 
efficient electrician and attracted the atten- 
tion of the officials of the Berwick Electric 
Light Company, who offered him the super- 
intendency of their plant, wliich position he 
accepted, succeeding \V. E. Boycc. This com- 



pany was organized in 1892 and immediately 
built, on the site of the Freas Bros.' foundry, 
a brick plant, 45 by 50 feet, with a boiler and 
engine room 30 by 40 feet, and in addition 
an office and work-rooms. The plant has two 
engines, one of 100-horsepower, the other of 
150-horsepowcr, two 1,200-light machines, a 
Westinghouse and a Warren dynamo, one 60- 
arc light and two 30-arc light machines. The 
town of Berwick is well illuminated by forty- 
five arc lights on the streets which are well 
distributefl throughout the borough, and be- 
sides furnishing lights for many dwellings and 
nearly all the stores of the place, the com- 
pany supplies the lights for the mammoth 
works of The Jackson & Woodin Manufac- 
turing Company which are in the town. 

Mr. Davis chose for his life companion lola 
Miller, a daughter of John F. Miller, a promi- 
nent citizen of Wilkesbarre, Pa. Mr. and 
Mrs. Davis reside in their handsome residence 
at No. 408 East Front street, which was for- 
merly the property of the Berlins. Mr. Davis 
performs his work in such a manner as to 
win the confidence and esteem of his superior 
officers. As a citizen he stands high in the 
estimation of his fellow-men and is one of 
the most pros])erous and highly-respected cit- 
izens of Columbia County. 



OHN H. KREITZER, wholesale and 
retail grocer, of Milton, Pa., is virtually 
a self-made man. He was born in Mil- 
ton, Pa., October 24, 1858, attended the pub- 
lic schools of his native place, and when four- 
teen years of age became a driver on the tow- 
path. At the close of the season he found em- 
ployment at William Price Hull's grain and 
coal office for two years, after which he at- 
tended school until 1877. In choosing a vo- 
cation he preferred mercantile pursuits for his 
active mind. ^Vccordingh-, he was a clerk for 



672 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Albert Carhvalder from April i, 1877, until 
Aiijjfust 12, 1879, when lie was appointed su- 
perintendent f)f James Buoy's grocery store 
on Aiahanoy street, wliere lie remained until 
January 1 1, 1881. At that time he purchased 
a half-interest in the business, and it was con- 
durtcd nn<!cr the firm name of Buoy ct Kreit- 
zer, and operatetl under that name until INIay, 
1883. Mr. Kreit/.er then purchased his part- 
ner's interest, and conducted the business 
alone. 

Our subject's career has been one of prog- 
ress. Starting out, a young man w ith no cash 
but ;i large amonnt of energy and upright 
])rinciples, he has risen to the topmost round 
of the ladder and is now the largest wholesale 
and retail grocer in his section of the state, 
lie now owns a line brick block. .Mr. Kreit- 
zer has improved and enlarged this building 
and has built a three-story warehouse at- 
tached to it. The warehouse was built in 
1891. and since its erection Mr. Kreitzer has 
dealt in groceries, provisions, crockery, wood- 
en and willow ware, grain, hay and feed. Ad- 
joining his grocery store he built a wholesale 
confectionery store. The confectionery busi- 
ness is ojierated under the firm name of The 
Kreitzer Wholesale Candy Com])any, and the 
lirm is composed of the follcjwing memljcrs: 
J. II. Kreitzer, president and treasurer; M. C. 
Kreitzer, assistant treasurer; and M. E. Kreit- 
zer, secretary, and they are wholesale dealers 
of confectionery, fruits and nuts. Mr. Kreit- 
zer deals largely in country produce and ships 
to nearby markets, employing ten men to as- 
sist him. He is the owner of a fine stable and 
keeps si.x fine horses for general use. John 
H. Kreitzer is a son of Washington and Cath- 
erine (Lore) Kreitzer and a grandson of Bal- 
sar and Mary (Zimmerman) Kreitzer. 

Balsar Kreitzer was born in Myerstown and 



was a direct descendant of Peter Kreitzer, 
who came from Germany and settled in Tulp- 
ehocken. lierks County, Pa., in 1762. About 
1826-27 Balsar Kreitzer went to Milton, Pa., 
and was largel)' interested for many years as 
contractor for lumber jobs, cleared ofi most of 
the heav_\- tindicr around ?\Iilton, and rafted 
most of it to market. His principal business 
was lumbering. He purchased the old Luth- 
eran Church on Mahanoy street and remod- 
eled it into a dwelling, which is now the resi- 
dence of Samuel Fletcher. Mr. Kreitzer was 
a Whig and later a Re])ublican. He held 
niiniir ofliccs in the township and was a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. He died in 1878 
at the age of seventy-eight; his good wife sur- 
vived him until 1884. when she, too, laid down 
llic burden of life, at the ad\anced age of 
eighty-two. Their children were as follows: 
Washington, our subject's father; John; Sar- 
ah; Jacob; Reuben; William; Adam; and 
Moses, who died in earl\- childhood. 

\\'ashington Kreitzer, father of our subject, 
was born at Milton, Pa. .\t the age of ten 
years he dro\'e a canal team antl considered 
himself a nian. He was very energetic and 
cpiite handy with horses. Later he drove a 
packet team and in winter a stage coach, also 
carrying the mail up and down the v'wijv for 
many years. Thus in various ways he accu- 
nnilated in the course of a few years money 
enough to try a business venture for himself. 
He associated himself with Conrad Cares, un- 
der the firm name of Kreitzer & Cares, and 
engaged in the butchering business in Milton. 
Later he was associated with Charles Hoye 
in the same business. .A.fter a short time he 
sold out his interest and served as assistant 
for \\'illiam P. Hall, dealer in coal and grain. 
He subsequently carried on the dairy busi- 
ness. He served two terms as street commis- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



673 



sionei". During his last years he assisted his 
son, the subject of this sketch, in the gro- 
cery lousiness. He possessed a strong consti- 
tution and was a hard worker; previous to the 
iUncss 'which caused his death he had often re- 
marked that he liad not paid twenty-five dol- 
lars for medicine during his lifetime. On June 
17, 1898, in his seventieth year, he died with 
dropsy. Catherine Lore, daughter of J. Lore 
of lola, Pa., became his wife and survives her 
husband. She resides in Milton, aged si.xty- 
six years. The following are their children: 
Mary Catherine, who married John Byres, of 
South Milton; John H., our subject; Eliza- 
l)eth, who becanu- the wife of William Cowles, 
of Muncy. La.; Abraham, who died young; 
Addie, who married Augustus Lerger, of 
W'atsontown; William Washington, now de- 
ceased. 

February 11, 1886, our subject was united 
in marriage with Mary Catherine Ettla, a 
daughter of Capt. George H. and Amanda C. 
Ettla. One daughter now blesses the home 
of our subject, Mary Elizabeth. Both he and 
his family are of the Presbyterian faith. 

Mr. Kreitzer, besides being an active man 
in business circles, has done much to advance 
the interests of Milton. From 1893 to 1896 
he served as chief burgess of Milton; for three 
years as councilman of the borough; for three 
years as auditor; as judge of election for two 
terms, and in other minor offices. He is a di- 
rector of the Milton lioard of trade, and is 
financiallv; associated with the Milton Knit- 
ting Company and the Milton Driving Park 
& Fair Association. He is also a stockholder 
in the Milton Trust & Safe Deposit Company. 
Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum 
and has served as secretary and treasurer of 
the P>a])tist Church and Snnda\- Sclidnl fur 
nine years. 




NDREW ROBERTSON. The active 
experience as a coal operator of the gen- 
tleman whose name heads this re- 
view covers a period of over half a century 
in the anthracite coal fields of Northuml)er- 
land and Schuylkill counties, he having been 
in tlie business longer than any man now liv- 
ing in either county who is in the 'nisiness 
at the present time. 

Our subject was born .\i)ril 23. 1826, near 
a place called Johnson, in Scotland, and his 
parents were George and Agnes (Aiken) Uoh- 
ertson. In 1831 or 1832 his father, desiring 
a wider field for the cultivation of his talents 
and the exercise of his energies, emigrated 
with his family to Nova Scotia, British Amer- 
ica, lie reni(i\ed to that country as a super- 
intendent <if mines for a foreign corporation 
operating what were known as the Sidney 
Morris Mines. He remained there until about 
1836 when he came to Pennsylvania, locat- 
ing near Potts\ille w here he embarked in coal 
operating, continuing' in that business the re- 
mainder of his active life, dying in 1849 '^^ ^''^ 
age of forty-six years. 

Andrew Robertson had but limited advan- 
tages for securing an education so far as the 
schools were concerned, as his school-boy 
da\'s were included in that period just prior 
to and following the adoption of the present 
common school system. Most of his educa- 
tion has been ol)tained in the great univer- 
sity of ])ractical business operations. His ini- 
tial experience in coal mining was secured 
when, as a boy, he was engaged about the 
mines of his father as a picker of slate and in 
other jol)s such as fell to l)oys about a mine. 
His father died when he was young and An- 
drew learned the trade of a blacksmith which 
he followed in the vicinity of his birthplace 
about three years. He carefully husbanded 
his earnings and at the end of that time he 



674 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



liad accumulated sufficient money to go into 
the coal-iiroducing business on liis own ac- 
count on a very small scale. This he did at 
New l'hiladeli)hia, about six miles east of 
I'ottsville, Schuylkill County, Pa., where he 
remained about three years and then went 
to St. Clair, and entering into ])artnersliip 
with William Littlehalcs, took ciiarge of an 
old colliery, repaired it, and operated it for a 
short time, when he sold out and returned to 
New Philadelphia where the (inn started a 
new enterprise known as the New Philadel- 
phia Shaft, operating' it about two years when 
it was sold. About this time, or in 1H53, the 
gold fields of California seemed to offer un- 
usual advantages to the ambitious and enter- 
prising, and, yielding to the strong impulse, 
Mr. Robertson resolved to try his fortunes on 
the Pacific coast. There for two years his 
fortunes were cast among the miners, part 
of the time as a searcher after the precious 
metal and jiart of the ])eriod as a blacksmith, 
a trade which at that time and under the 
circumstances stood him in very good stead. 
After this experience on the Western Slope he 
returned to Schuylkill County and for one 
and a half years was employed as superintend- 
ent of the coal operations of Rhoades & 
Shoidlonbcrgcr of New Philadel])hia. He 
then formed a business partnership with 
Thomas Beddall and opened a colliery about 
one mile from New Philadeliihia known as 
the Lick Run Colliery. They successfully 
operated this enterprise for a period of al)out 
two years when misfortune overtook them and 
the colliery was burned. Their next opera- 
tions were at the Eagle Htll Colliery with 
which they were connected from 1861 to 1865 
when they sold out to eastern capitalists. 

In 1866 Mr. Robertson removed to 
Shamokin, Northumberland County, and 
first became identified with the eastern 



anthracite coal fields. He formed a part- 
nershij) with Henry (juiterman and Thom- 
as Gorm;ni and built the Greenback Col- 
liery, which they operated until i86y, when 
Mr. Robertson sold his interest to his part- 
ners. In the meantime the same firm had 
leased the Henry Clay Colliery and I\lr. Bed- 
dall and Mr. Robertson opened a colliery at 
Helfenstein in the Mahanoy Valley. The lat- 
ter enterprise, however, did not prove a pay- 
ing one and was abandoned. About the time 
he was operating the Henry Clay Colliery 
our subject formed a copartnership with i\.lc.\- 
ander I'ulton and entered into a contract 
to mine and deliver coal for the Mclntxre 
Coal Company of Elmira, N. Y., operating in 
Lycoming County, Pa., near Ralston, about 
twenty-se\'en miles north of \\'illianisport. 
This contract covered a period of four years, 
at the end of which time he returned to Sha- 
mokin and has since made that town his head- 
(piarters for his extensi\e coal cjperations. 
He formed a partnership with C. W. Kings- 
ley of Cambridge. Mass., and ])urchased a 
half interest in the E.xcelsior Coal Conijiany 
in 1880 and it has continued in active ojjera- 
tion ever since. Jn 1886 the same company 
opened the Corliin Colliery and has operated 
it in connection with the I'Lxcelsior Colliery. 
These enterprises are of considerable magni- 
tude giving employment to a force of about 
six hundred and fifty men. Having two nut- 
lets the firm al\\;i\s li.ns gi\en steady employ- 
ment and been nciled t'or the' generous treat- 
ment of its men. 

Mr. Rt)l)ertson"s operations ha\e not been 
confined to the .anthracite region, but since 
1890 he has been largely interested in devel- 
oping the bituminous districts of Virginia and 
\\'est Virginia. In the above year the Sha- 
mokin Coal & Coke Company, consisting of 
himself and other cajiitalists, was organized 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



675 



and the company is extensively engaged in 
the mining and shipping of coal and the man- 
ufacture of coke at Mayberry, West Virginia. 
The mines are in the celebrated Pocahontas 
field. Of this company our subject's son, 
George \V., is vice-president, and his son, 
Andrew D., a director. 

In connection with his two sons, Andrew 
D. and George W., Mr. Robertson bought a 
large interest in the same region in the Tur- 
key Gap Coal & Coke Company, one of the 
most extensive and best-equipped plants in 
that section of the state. He also is inter- 
ested in the Bottom Creek Coal & Coke Com- 
jnmy, being active as a director in both com- 
panies. He also is a stockholder in the Clinch 
X'alley Coal & Coke Company of Virginia. 
Mr. Roliertson is one of the several capitalists 
who built and equipped the first electric light 
plant in the United States outside of New 
York City, in which city the Edison Electric 
Company had equipped a plant. The plant 
referred to is that built in Shamokin, and 
was the first in this country, outside the me- 
tropolis of New York State, to be used for illu- 
minating a residence, a church or an opera 
house. This fact certainly speaks higiily for the 
public spirit and enterprise of the gentlemen at 
the head of the Shamokin corporation. Of this 
company, the Edison Electric Illuminating 
Company of Shamokin, Mr. Robertson has 
been an active director since its organization. 
He also is a director of the Shamokin Gas 
Light Company and of the Shamokin Pow- 
der Company. 

Testimony of the highest sort to the ex- 
I)erience and the thoroughness of Mr. Robert- 
son in mining is the fact that he was some 
time ago appointed and now serves as a mem- 
ber of the state board of examiners whose 
dut\- it is to examine for fitness and experi- 
ence all ajiplicants for aiipoinlment as nfine 



boss in the anthracite field. To this work of 
great inqiortance Mr. Robertson gives much 
attention and t(j his wise oversight is consid- 
erably due the fact that mine-bosses are men 
of cx])erience and caution, resulting in mani- 
fold benefits both to the mine-owners and the 
nfine-workers. 

Religiously Mr. Robertson is a member of 
the Second Presbyterian Church of Potts- 
ville, Pa., w here he resides, although he is con- 
sidered, ]>ractically. a resident of Shamokin, 
with whose commercial interests he is so close- 
ly identified. Fraternally our subject is a 
member of Pulaski Lodge No. 216, F. & A. 
M., Mt. City Chapter, R. A. M., and Con- 
stantine Commandery, Knights Tem])lar. 

Mr. Robertson has been three times mar- 
ried. His first marriage was with Phoebe 
Barlow and was blessed by the birth of four 
children, \\'illiam, Phoebe and Nathan, all de- 
ceased, and Andrew D., a sketch of whom ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. ]\Ir. Robert- 
son married as his second wife Malinda Bar- 
low, sister of his first wife, and to their union 
were born: George W., who is interested in 
business with his father; Phoebe, wife of F. 
G. Clemens of Pottsville. Pa.; and Ida, de- 
ceased, and a fourth child who died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Robertson was united in marriage 
for the third time to Mrs. Rose Barlow, nee 
Randall. 

To few men has been accorded the pri\i- 
lege of such a long and successful business 
career as that of Andrew Robertson. His 
life record, contemporaneous almost with the 
history of the anthracite coal industry, is in- 
deed an inspiration to every young man who 
would succeed in life. It is a lesson of in- 
dustry, honesty, perseverance and pluck, and 
clearly demonstrates the possibilities of our 
American youth when backed by these quali- 
ties of head and heart. His is a nnnd in w hich 



676 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



tlie power of construction and generalization 
are liiglily de\el(Ji)e(I, wliile he possesses that 
executive and organizing aljility wliich is so 
essential in carrying out enterprises vast in 
conception and far reaching in their influence. 
Successful and honorable has Ijeen his career, 
and as Mr. Robertson looks back upon its 
conquests it is with that haj^py conscious- 
ness of having faithfully performed every duty 
entrusted to his care in such manner as to 
win the confidence and respect of all who 
have had business or social relations with him. 
Being possessed of quite a fortune I^Ir. Rob- 
ertson is enal)1ed to exercise his charitable 
propensities with la\is!i hand, but in this com- 
mendable inclination, as in all other matters, 
his unostentatious spirit prevails and is a dis- 
tinguishing characteristic of his many good 
deeds of which the general public knows little. 
In this he follows literally the Biblical injunc- 
tion: "Let not thy right hand know what thy 
left hand dncth." So unassuming is the 
man, and so plain and unaffected is his man- 
ner, that it was imjjossible to obtain from him- 
self information concerning his charitable and 
kindly deeds, but the facts were made known 
by those who ha\e been intimate for years 
with Mr. Robertson in business and in social 
relations. 




HOMAS J. EDWARDS, inside-fore- 
man of the I'ennsyhania Colliery, is 
one of the most enterprising men in 
Strong, Mount Carmel township, Northum- 
berland County, Pa., and has always been one 
of that town's most active workers. He is a 
man of upright principles and excellent char- 
acter and has a host of friends in the county. 
He is a son of Richard and Elizabeth (John) 
Edwards, and was born September 18, 1840, 
in (;iamorg;inshirc, Wales. 



Our subject's motlier died when he was a 
child, and his father immigrated to America in 
1854 and located at Pottsville, Pa., where he 
followed the trade of a tailor, but it was only 
a short time until he moved tt) Sunnnit Hill, 
Carbon Comit}', Pa., and there remained the 
rest of his life, dying in i860. 

Thomas J. Edwards, the subject of this 
biography, came to America at the age of fif- 
teen years, and in October, 1855. located with 
his father in Pottsville. Pa. Previous to his 
coming to this country he had worked in the 
mines for six years, and after his father's re- 
moval to Summit Hill he began work in De- 
cember as a dri\er uf mules, and then worked 
as a laborer, and later as a miner. It was in 
this way he obtained the positions of fore- 
man and finally that of inside-foreman in Lu- 
zerne County, and he has remained in that 
position ever since. His first position as fore- 
man was under the employ of Judge Leiser- 
ing of Mauch Chunk: next, for the Buck 
Mountain Coal Coni])any. and in July, 1894, 
he entered the employ of the I'nion Coal 
Company at Plickory Ridge, and remained 
there until 1898, when be went to the Penn- 
sylvania Colliery. He has always given en- 
tire satisfaction to all of his employers and 
has steadily advanced in the business. 

Mr. Edwards has always been a stanch Re- 
publican, taking an active interest in political 
affairs. He is one of the most active mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church and is one of the 
trustees of the Northeastern Pennsylvania 
Welsh Association. He is also a member of 
the Welsh Baptist Church in Mahanoy City, 
there being no organization of the kind in his 
home. Mr. Edwards enlisted in the Civil 
War August 15, 1861, in Company A, 4th 
Reg., Pa. Cavalry, and also serxed as private 
for three years in the Army of the Potomac. 
He is a member of several fraternal organi- 



f^ 




HYMAN P. HALL. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



679 



zations, including Lodge No. 357, F. and A. 
M.; Mapeth Cliapter, R. A. M.; Lodge No. 
617, I. O. O. F. ; Kniglits ol the Golden 
Eagle; and Royal Arcanum, all of Mahanoy 
City. He is a member of and the i)resent chap- 
lain of Lincoln Post No. 140, G. A. R., of 
Shamokin, Pa. 

Li May, i860, Mr. Edwards was united in 
marriage with Margaret Richards, and they 
are the parents of several children, namely: 
Richard, who was killed in a coal lireaker; 
Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas H. Kooms of 
Mahanoy City; Jane, the wife of John H. 
Bernard of Mac.Xdoo, Pa.; i'dllw the wife of 
Harry Mengel of Mahanoy City; Richard, 
motorman between Mahanoy City and She- 
nandoah; Thomas J., who was killed by ac- 
cident; John, who is clerking at Hickory 
Ridge, married Hannah I""rank. and he and 
his wife lire with the subject of this sketch; 
Oliver P., at home; Maggie, and James A. 
Garfield. Ijoth living at home. 



AMUEL HALSEY DEAN, one of 
the educators in Northumberland 
County in recent years, is superintend- 
ent of schools at Mount Carmel. 





"YMAN P. HALL, the i)upular station- 
agent and operator at the village of 
.Sonestown, on the Eagles Mere Di- 
vision of the W. & N. B. R. R., in which ca- 
pacity he has served since 1890, and a much 
respected citizen of that village, is a repre- 
sentative of one of the prominent and indus- 
trious families which has long been connected 
with the growth and development of Sulli- 
van County. Our sul)ject was born at Fair- 
field Center, Lycoming County, Pa., May 14, 



1853, and is a son of Richard and Hannah 
(Johnson) Hall. 

Richard llall, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of England and iuuni- 
grated to the .\nierican Colonies prior to the 
Revolutionary War; little is known of him, 
but he located in the state of New Jersey and 
carried on farming, and Richard Hall, the 
grandfather of our subject, was born in that 
state. 

Our subject's grandfather located in Ly- 
coming County at an early date and pur- 
chased from the government a large tract of 
land which extended from Montinu'sville to 
Hall's. He sold many farms from his ])iu"- 
chase and made a settlement at Hall's, wh'ch 
was named in honor of him. His farm is now 
known as the Stover farm. His \ocation was 
always that of an agriculturist and he was 
very successful, being the possessor of a hand- 
some fortune at his death, which occurred at 
the age of seventy-five \ears. He was burie 1 
in Montoursville Cemetery. He was the 
father of ten children, six of whom were 
named as follows: James; Louis, who was 
killed at the battle of Lundy's Lane in the 
War of 181 2; Jonathan; Samuel; Hannah 
(Rogers); and Richard, Jr. 

Richard Hall, the father of our sul^ject, 
was born and reared on his father's farm in 
the village of Hall's and although he was 
reared to agricultural pursuits early in life 
he engaged in the lumbering industry, wliicli 
he followed for ;i number of years. Later he 
purchased a farm in Shrewsbury township. 
Lycoming County, and there carried on gen- 
eral farming until death claimed him at the 
age of seventy years. His farm is now owne 1 
and operated by his son, \Mlliam C. Hall. Mr. 
Hall was joined in matrimonial bonds with 
Hann.ah Johnson, a daughter of Robert John- 
son, who innnigr;itcd to this countn- from 



680 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Countv Cork. Irelaiul. f~)ur subject's motlier 
was born in iSiS ami died in if^S^. The 
followinn; chililrcn were Ixini to this union: 
Egbert, a retired nierch;inl of Muney, Pa.; 
Francis, wlio hves at Ahmtoursviile, Pa.; 
John, who resides at (Tllen Mawr, Pa.; Pier- 
son, deceased; Ilynian 1'., the suliject of tliis 
sketcli; William C. who is farming on the 
homestead; Sylvester, a resident of Shrews- 
bury, Pycoming County, Pa.; and Nancy, de- 
ceased. 

Hyman P. Hall received a good education, 
])assed the necessary examination for a school- 
teaclier, and taught one term in Penn town- 
ship, Lvooniing County, Pa. He then turned 
his attention toward masonry and later fol- 
lowed contracting. iMitering the employ of 
the W. & X. I'>. R. K. he was made station- 
agent at Chaniduni, I 'a., from which ])lace he 
was later transferred to .\ordmont. and in 
1890 assumed the duties of his present posi- 
tion, which he has llllcd to the entire satis- 
faction of his superior officers and to the trav- 
eling public. Mr. Hall jjurchased the Lion 
Lumber Company property, ifjDon which site 
was a handsome residence. 

Mr. PL'dl chose for his life-comjianion Mary 
E. Boatman, a daughter of Claudius Poatman 
of Shrewsbur\-, Lycoming County, Pa., and 
they are the h;ip]iy p;u'ents of the following 
children, as fotk)ws: Leslie, who m;,rried H. 
]). Lockwood of Sonestown and they have 
one child, Abbie; Lanion, a wi lodw urker in 
Sonestown; Ada, residing at home; Orville. 
also a woodworker by trade; and Mildred, 
Ward, T,ettie, Paul La Rue. and Iva. who 
reside at home. Praternalh- our subject is a 
memljer and lias passed througli all the chairs 
of the P. O. S. of .\. Politically he is a Dem- 
ocrat and served as i)ostmaster of the village 
during 1896-97. Mr. 1 lall's portrait is shown 
on another page of this work. 



ACOR L. SNYDER, a large landowner 
and one of the representative men of 
T'.lkland township, Sullivan County, re- 
sides on his farm most of tlie time, but also 
is practically a citizen of Forksvillc. He is a 
son of Adam L. and Louisa (iuchenlaub) Sny- 
der, and was born in ,\ew Ba\aria, on the 
Khine River, Germany, Noveml)er 27, 1834. 
;\dani L. Snyder, tlie father of our subject, 
was Ijorn in Germany and there learned the 
trade of ;i btUton and l(JO|>-maker, which he 
followed until 1836, when he came to Amer- 
ica, landing in Baltimore, Md. Pie again took 
up his trade in Harrisburg. Pa., with tiiat of 
tailoring, and continueil at those occupations 
until after his remo\al to Potts\illc, Pa. He 
next moved to Sullivan Cf)unty, where he pur- 
chased a tract of timberland off the Ward tract 
in Cherry township, on whicli he resided ten 
)ears. He then moved io Dushorc, in 1849, 
and erected the second house built in that 
town, whicli is now owned by James Farrell. 
He remained in that section until 1852, when 
he purchased the Eldred farm in Elkland 
township, one of the earliest settled farms in 
that locality, Init in a short space of )-ears he 
returned to Dushore and engaged in the gro- 
cery business. Later he purchased a small 
farm and engaged in agricultural pursuits un- 
til he renio\ed to Campbelhille. where he pur- 
chased a water privilege and built a grist-mill, 
which is now the property of Norton & Hot- 
teinstein. lie also liuill a house and l)arn 
and lived there until he removed to New .\1- 
bany. Pa., where he bought a farm and fol- 
lowed farming until iS"i, when he retired 
from acti\e lalx.irs and mo\-ed to California. 
where he finally died. He was united in mar- 
riage with Louisa Eichenlaub, and the follow- 
ing children blessed their home: Henry, de- 
ceased; Jacob L., the subject of this personal 
historx ; bihn, a frnil-ijrower (jf California; 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



681 



Nicholas, a farmer of Canton ; Louise, the wife 
of Benjamin Faustner of Salem, Ore.; Mary 
(McGeorge), of California; Adam, a farmer 
of Salem, Ore.; Christian, a farmer of Elkland 
township, Sullivan County; Caroline, de- 
ceased, who was the wife of Frederick Wig- 
gen; and Angeline, the wife of John Knight, 
who resides in Salem, Ore. Politically Mr. 
Snyder was a strong Democrat, but never held 
nor sought ofifice. Religiously he was reared 
umler German Catholic influences in his native 
country, but upon coming to America he 
joined the Albrights. 

Jacob L. Snyder attended the pu!)lic schools 
and, being bright and industrious by nature,, 
he obtained a good education. His father's 
success as an agriculturist aided him in choos- 
ing his occupation, and he followed farming 
after leaving school. He acquired part of the 
Eldred farm, some fifty acres, on which a Mr. 
Houck now resides, and on this he continued 
to live for some years, building a new house 
and making many other substantial improve- 
ments. He then went to Montoursville, where 
he purchased a canal boat and followed boat- 
ing for one year, after which he again took up 
his former occupation. In 1X67 he moved to 
Forksville, purchased the l'"orks\ille Hotel, 
which was being built at the lime, and after 
completing it conducted il with the highest 
success for a period of twenty-one years, with 
the exception of two _\ears, which he spent in 
the West. It was in the s])ring of 1870 that 
John Huckell came East as agent for the 
Cawker, Huckell, Kaskinka & Rice Colony in 
Kansas. He descril^ed in glowing terms the in- 
ducements and benefits of the Western coun- 
try, and during the summer succeeded in get- 
ting sixty of the citizens of Sullivan and Brad- 
ford counties interested in the project. Each 
member, u])on the pa_\nient of .$75, became a 
member of the colony, $15 of which sum was 



to go to the government. These men selected 
the land and ui)on the arrixal of the colonists 
each was told wlicre his tract was located. 
During the summer of that year all plans were 
laid, and in October, 1870, our subject and 
the other members bade good-bye to the East 
and started f<.)r the then far West. At the end 
of a week's travel they reached Solomon City, 
Kan., and at that point Mr. Snyder, together 
with John Huckell, William Brown, Francis 
Warren, Cheat Cra\en, \\'illiam Warren, Ru- 
dolph Kaskinka, anil William Huckell, en- 
gaged a team and together they travelled up 
the Solomon River \^alle)' to the forks of the 
Solomon River, where the town of Cawker 
City was located. The journey covered 100 
miles, taking three days to traverse the dis- 
tance. The second night after leaving Solo- 
mon City a very amusing incident occurred 
which is of interest. As the party was travel- 
ing along wondering where they would spend 
the night, they discerned a light on the prairie, 
and with prospects of a good meal ahead and 
a warm place to sleep, they made for the light. 
Upon reaching it they were somewhat sur- 
prised to find that it was a mere hut con- 
structed of sod, 1 1 b}' 13 feet in size, and occu- 
pied by a man, his wife and three children. 
Advancing to the door our subject inquired 
if he and his ]);u-ty could !>e put up for the 
night. The projirietor, who was an Eastern 
man, replied that he would give them the best 
possible accommodations. So the team was 
outspanned and after partaking of a comfort- 
able supper the balance of the evening was 
spent in telling the various experiences 
through which they had passed, and at an 
early hour they prepared to retire. Taking 
their blankets they made themselves as com- 
fortable as possible on the floor, and there 
spent the night. During their journey it was 



682 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



made graves, the result of tlie Indian out- 
rages tliat had taken ])lace the June Iiefore. 
In tlie lliird night the jiarty reached tlie end 
of their 1,424-mile journey and were greatly 
surprised to find that Cawker City consisted 
of two houses or shanties, one being used for 
a hotel and the other occuiiied hy Mr. Sny- 
der's brother-in-law, iM-ancis Best, who had 
arrived there about a month previously with 
his wife and nine children. It may be well 
to mention here that the ])arty of ten of which 
our subject was a member left their families 
in the East. The day after their arrival the 
party jjroceedetl to look uj) their land. All 
readers of history and those in touch with 
current events are presumably familiar with 
the ins and outs of what was called the Hc^me- 
stead Grant. Mr. Snyder received his grant 
of 160 acres, wliich had lieen selected by the 
aboN'e-mentioned company, but at the end of 
four days his idea of Western life underwent 
a decided change and remarking to the oth- 
ers that he would not bring his family to such 
a wilderness, he picked up his few Ijelongings 
and with hVancis Warren returned to Solo- 
mon ('il\-, and from there back to Forksville. 
In the sjiring of ^i>j\ he ])urchased a hotel 
in Solomon Cit\-, Kan., for $4,000, and to- 
gether with his fauiilv uKixed to his new pur- 
chase, where he conihicted ;i holt'l for al)out 
one and one-half years. .\l the expiration of 
that time, owing to ill herdth, he dis])osed of 
his ])ropertv, but in tlu' end lost his entire 
investment. He returned to Forksville, and 
in the sjiring of 1873 became pro])rietor of 
the Forksville Hotel, establishing a great rep- 
utation for himself and the establishment 
throughout that section of the county. Dis- 
])osing of this finally, he built the store now 
conducted by A. L. Smith, which he still owns, 
and also three tenement Ikuiscs. In 1893 
he built the Snvder ilotel which he conducted 



for five years. He purchased the Daniel Lit- 
tle farm, located in Elkland township, con- 
sisting of 190 acres, on which he erected a 
new house and barn, and there he has since 
resided with the exception of the time which 
he s])ends in l'"orksville. He is also owner of 
numerous landed interests throughout that 
section. Always industrious and energetic, 
he has won his way to the front ranks of the 
business men. 

( )n Jrmuary i, 1857, Mr. Snyder married 
Sarah Ann Huckell, who was born in Elkland 
township, October 22, 1830, and was a daugh- 
ter of William Huckell. They had two chil- 
dren: William H., wlio was born August 24, 
1858, and died January 18, 1864: and George 
W., a commercial man of Forksville and own- 
er of the old Ridgeway Farm in Elkland town- 
ship, who w;is born Septendier 7, i860. He 
married Mary i'deming and has two children: 
Marion and Lou. Mrs. Sn}der died Novem- 
ber 26, 1861, and our subject formed a sec- 
ond alliance with Sarah Ann Huckell, who 
was born August 24, 1831, and they had one 
son: Charles L., born September 16, 1863, 
died September 18, 1863. Politically our 
subject is a Democrat and has served as a 
meiuber of the borough council of T'orksxille, 
as sn])ervisor and school director. 



\('()B SMITH, a veteran of the Civil 
War and outside-foreman in the Ster- 
ling Colliery near Shamokin, was born 
_ anuary ^^, 1839, in Limestone township, 
Montour County, Pa., and is a son of Fred- 
erick and Catherine (Miller) Snn'th. 

Grandfather Smith, a native of Reading, 
I5erks County, I'a., removed to Columbi:i 
County, thence to Montour County, and later 
back to Columbi;i County, where his death oc- 
curred. 




SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



683 



Frederick Smith, our subject's father, is 
still living in Limestone township. Montour 
County. He was horn January 3, 1809, near 
Reading, Pa. He married CalJierine Miller 
and became the father of fix-e children, three 
boys and two girls: I'eter, who lives near 
Jerseytown, Pa.; Jacoi), our suhjcct; Matilda, 
who married John Strickland; Mary, unmar- 
ried: and William, who is also single. 

Jacob Smith was educated in the public 
schools, attending for a limited time, ami then 
learned the harnessmaker's trade, working at 
it for three years pviuv to the war and four 
years after. He then became an employee of 
the Bear Valley Colliery and began work at 
the low^est round of the ladder in the coal 
region, where he was allowed tn remain only 
four or fi\'e months when lie was promoted 
to the position of outside-foreman. In that 
colliery he was retained by i (eini iV (ioodwill 
mitil it was sold to the Philadelphia iK: Read- 
ing Coal & Iron Company, and then oui" sub- 
ject went to the Burnside Colliery, where he 
remained three years. He next moved to 
I^elaware and engaged in f.irmiug for five 
_\ears. at the expiration of that period re- 
turning to Shamokin and assuming the posi- 
tion of outside-foreman at the Sterling Col- 
liery, where he has remained e\er since. Mr. 
Smith married Emma Kester, and to them 
have l)een born seven children: Jennie; 
George; Andrew; Edith I^.; Warren; and 
Clara and Enmia, who both died at an early 
age. 

When the necessity for \-olunteers became 
pressing in the Civil War Mr. Smith enlisted 
in Company E, 131st Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., on 
August 6, 1862, for nine months, but served 
almost ten months. He participated in the 
battles of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg 
and Antietam. He was wounded in the ter- 
rible battle of Fredericksburg. The total Un- 



ion loss that day, killed and wounded, was 
i_',32i. and the Confederate loss, killed and 
wciunded. 5,309. To-day a National Ceme- 
tery is on the ground where the battle was 
bloodiest and about 15,000 brave soldiers are 
buried tliere. 

( )ur subject is a meml)er of Lincoln Post, 
Xo. 140. (i. A. I\.; James A. Ciarfield Lodge, 
Xo. loAi, 1. ( ). ( ). F., and the Encampment 
in connection with same. 



ELLIS EVES, a UKnnber of the firm of 
T'lllis lA'es & Bro., manufacturers and 
dealers in lumlier and shingles and 
all kinds of mill work, of Millville, is one of 
the substantial business men of Greenwood 
townshi]), and is a scion of one of the oldest 
and most prominent families of Columbia 
Count}'. He is a son of Charles and Sarah 
(Kester) Eves, and was liorn in Greenwood 
townshiji, Cohunbia Count^•, Pa.. January 16, 

1834- 

Our subject's great-grandfather was John 
Eves, who was of Scotch-Irish parentage, and 
was born in Ireland in 1720. After growing 
to maturity Jiihn engaged in the manufacture 
of woolen goods near l)ul)lin, Ireland, at 
which he continued until he sought a home 
in America, first locating in Delaware and 
later in Bucks County, Pa. He resided in 
Bucks County for some time. In 1769 he pur- 
chased a tract of land consisting of 1,200 acres 
located at the forks of Fishing Creek, in Co- 
lumbia County, and including the site of the 
village of Millville. Having never seen the 
land, in the following year he went to examine 
his new acquisition, first going to Milton, 
X^orthumberland Coifnty. where he made in- 
quiry for Fishing Creek. X^one had ever 
heard of the place, but an Indian who heard 



684 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



liim ask tlie question quickly \'()lunteercd the 
information and witli anotlier of his race of- 
fered to act as liis guitlc. The three started for 
wliat was to be Mr. Eves" future home and fi- 
nail\' arrived at Fairview, a high hill overlook- 
ing the valley in which his property lay. The 
Indian, pointing to the land iielow, inf(.irmed. 
him that it was the desired spot, but utterly 
refused to descend with Mr. Eves, who went 
aloue and made a thorough examination of 
the soil, which ])ro\ed entirely satisfactory. 
Me spent some time below and upon return- 
ing to the top of the hill found the Jntlians 
in a iiigli state of impatience over liis long de- 
lay. Upon returning, the Indians suggested 
that one go ahead and the other follow Mr. 
Eves, but the latter, fearful of Indian treach- 
ery, compelled both to precede him, and they 
coiUinued their journey. He returned to his 
home and prepared to move to his new tract 
of land with his family. In the spring of 1771 
he went to Fishing ("reek with some of his 
sons and they effected a clearing and erected 
some buildings, after which he again 
went to Bucks County, and in the spring 
of 1872 started with his famil\- for their 
new home. ilv means of a wagon 
drawn by four horses, in which was packed 
only such goods and furniture as were 
absolutely necessary, the\- m;ide their way 
overland with mucii difliculty. They ru'rived 
safely within a few miles of their destination, 
when night overtook them, rendering it im- 
])ossil)le to find the roads. I he mother, with 
her young chil<lren, rode the horses to a cabin 
which was located at a s])ring, one-fourth of a 
mile northwest of the present \illage of Mill- 
\ ille, on the estate now owned by David and 
William Masters. Tiiere they located and en- 
tered upon the duties of pioneer life, having 
for neighbors only the beasts of the forest, and 
the Indians, with whom they were very friend- 



ly and who always respected Mr. Eves. No 
white inhabitants resided nearer than fifteen 
miles, w hich was also the distance to the near- 
est grist-mill, which was located at Catawissa. 
There the great-grandfather of our subject re- 
mained at peace with the world and engaged 
in the laborious task of clearing np his farm, 
ffe and his family had no trouble with the 
Indians, excepting when his son Thomas was 
shot by an Indian spy, having been mistaken 
for another man. The Indians were often 
guests at his home, and one particularly, who 
frequently stopped with him when making 
long trips through the country, jjromised to 
warn him if there e\'er was an uprising among 
the tribes so that he might seek safety in 
flight. True to his promise, on the night of 
the Wyoming massacre, the friendly red man 
walked fortx' miles to warn his white friends 
of their danger, giving his warning in the ex- 
pressive language, "Go quick, bad man 
among the Indians!"' By noon of the follow- 
ing day the family were on their journey, 
reaching W^ashingtonville, Montour County, 
that night. There they stopped long enough 
for the worthy and kind-hearted wife to care 
for a wiiman who had been severely wounded 
by a shot from an In(lian"s gun. They then 
returned to Bucks County, where they re- 
mained until i7''~^3. when the rebellious spirit 
of the red men had been cpielled. Then, 
deeming it safe to return to their home in 
Cohunbia County, they again set out, taking 
cattle and hogs with them. One pig was 
caught i)y a Ijear and frightened the others 
and they broke loose and, with the instinct 
true to animals, returned to their former 
home. Mr. Eves found his home and out- 
buildings burned and immediately set about 
to rebuild them. He also built and operated 
a saw-mill, and in 1790 built the first grist- 
nu'll in that section of the conntx'. He was a 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



685 



member of the Society of Friends and was the 
first of that sturdy old Quaker body to locate 
in that neighborliDod, and to him and his 
descendants is tlue much of the credit for the 
])resent standing of Greenwood township, with* 
its tine farming land. Fie was united in mar- 
riage to Edith Yelman, and their union re- 
sulted in the following oft'spring: Sarah; 
Thomas; Ji>lin; Joseph; Martha; William: 
Chandler; Eliza; Sarah; lulith; Andrew; 
Mary; I'riscilla; Mark; Anna; Sanmel; and 
Elizabeth. Mr. hAes was called to his eternal 
rest in 1802, after a long and useful life, and 
his worth)' wife sur\i\-ed him sixteen years, 
dying in 1818. 

Chandler Eves, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, prol)a1)ly was born in Bucks County in 
i/Aj, and mo\'ed to (ireenwood township. 
Columbia County, with his j^arents. He was 
extensively engaged in farming on a portion 
of the old iiomestead, where he built and for 
a number of years operated what is now the 
Shultz grist-mill, located near Rohrsburg, 
Greenwood township. Eater he built a woolen 
mill, the lirst in that section of the state, lo- 
cated about one-half mile from Millville, 
which is now known as the Millville Worsted 
M: Woolen Mill, and he successfully operated 
it for several years. Where John Eves's wag- 
on factory now stands he also erected a saw- 
null and clover-mill, which he conducted until 
his death, in iS^f). lie was a man of excellent 
judgment and good business cpialities and was 
one of the most prosperous men in Green- 
wood township. He married Rachel Kester, 
and reared a family of four sons and two 
daughters, namely: Aimie; John K. ; George 
F.; Benjamin: Charles; and Rachel. 

Charles Eves, the father of our subject, was 
born on his father's homestead and early in 
life turned his attention to agricultural pur- 
suits. Later he operated the saw-mill which 



was built by his father, and was extensively 
engaged in the manufacture of lumber, wag- 
ons and wagon-material until his death, which 
occurred in 1854, at the age of forty-five 
years. He formed a marital union with Sarah 
Kester, a daughter of Aaron Kester, late a 
farmer of Mount Pleasant township, and they 
became the happy parents of five sons and one 
daughter, whose names are here recorded: 
\U\is. in whom the interest of this sketch cen- 
ters; Rachel, the wife of Edwin John of Mill- 
ville; Chandler, who follows the occupation 
of a farmer and is an insurance agent of Green- 
wood township: John, an extensive wagon 
manufacturer and lumberman of Millville; 
William \Vel)ster, who is in partnership with 
our subject; and James Barton, who is a deal- 
er in hardware and agricultural implements. 

Ellis Eves obtained a good education in 
the public schools and in the Greenwood Sem- 
inarv of Millville, and was reared upon the 
farm. In 1856 he succeeded his father as own- 
er of the wagon manufacturing establishment 
and later sold an interest to his brother, John, 
and suljseciuently two of his other ])rothers, 
William Webster and James Barton, became 
members of the firm They also embarked in 
the mercantile and lumljer trade and con- 
ducted the business successfulh- for se\eral 
\ears, when John withdrew to take entire 
charge of the wagon factory, and James Bar- 
ton became a dealer in farming implements. 
Since 1870 the firm name has been k'Uis Eves 
ik Bro., and they have a large patronage in 
the mercantile business and also deal ex-ten- 
sively in lumbering and planing-mill work. 
They have always resided in the \icinity of 
Millville and have sustained the reputation for 
strict integrity and honesty, established by 
their ancestors. Our subject always has been 
interested in the advancement of the interests 
of the village and has been closely connected 



686 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



with many Icadingf enterprises. He is a di- 
rector of the F"arniers' National Bank of Wat- 
soiUown; :i director of tlic liloonishurs;' Water 
L\)mi)any; is a life memljer of the Columbia 
County Agricultural Society, of which he has 
been president for several years; has been 
secrelarx' of the JMutual h^irc Insurance Coni- 
]);uiy of Milhille since its organization; is a 
member of the Ijoard of trustees of the Green- 
wood Seminary Company, having served as 
such trustee continuously for over thirty 
years, ha\ing' always been active in his en- 
deavors to sustain and promote the best inter- 
ests of that institution. 

In i860 fjur subject was united in marriage 
to Mary Margaret Masters, a daughter of the 
late (ieorge Masters of Milhille, by whom he 
has foiu" children: Chru'les Millard, who clerks 
for his father; Lois Melvina, deceased, who 
was the wife of H. J. Demott; Paschal Lewis, 
also a clerk for the firm of which our subject 
is a nuMuber; and (ieorgi;uni;i, wife of Samuel 
Demott. Margaret, his wife, died in 1870, 
and in 1880 Mr. Eves marrie<I Elizabeth Eves, 
daughter of David and Sarah Kva^. 

Politically Mr. Eves is ;ui uns\\er\ing Re- 
])ublicau. lie has served sexcral terms as a 
member of the borough council. He is a 
member of Washington Lodge No. 265, E. 
& A. M., of Ijloonisburg; ;uid a ch.arter mem- 
ber and past grand of Milhille Lodge No. 
809, I. O. O. E. 



()UJ).\N HOWARD ROCKEFEL- 
LER is a successful real estate dealer 

and attorney-at-law of Sunbury.North- 
uml)erland County, I'a., of whose family a 
more comjjlete history will be found elsewhere 
in this l)Ook in a biographical sketch of Wil- 
liam M. Rockefeller. 

J. Howard Rockefeller is the onl_\' son of 



tiie late A. Jordan and Mary A. (Forsyth) 
Rockefeller, and was born in Sunbury, March 
12. 1862. He was educated in the public 
schools of Northumberland and at Granville 
Military Academy, Granville, N. Y., from 
which he graduated in 1880. He was subse- 
(piently engaged in the general mercantile 
and coal business at Espy, Columbia County, 
Pa., for three years, and later was engaged in 
the same business for two years at Northum- 
berland. Having accumulated sufificient mon- 
ey in five years' business to defray expenses, 
in 1885 he entered upon the study of law un- 
der the late J. N. Hill of Sunbury. Three 
years later, in 1888, he was admitted to the 
bar and has since practiced his profession in 
Sunbury. He has also been admitted to the 
Supreme Court of the stale and the L'nited 
States District and Circuit Courts. He has a 
good general practice and is meeting with 
success as an attorney. 

Mr. Rockefeller possesses a natural bent of 
mind for real estate speculation, and from his 
earliest manhood he has been dealing in real 
estate. Ha\ing keen insight into land values 
he is regarded as a careful and shrewd in- 
vestor, always making profitable investments. 
He owns a farm of 750 acres in Point town- 
ship, 400 acres of which is under a fine state 
of cultivation, the balance being timberland. 
This is one of the finest farms in Central Penn- 
syhania. Mr. Rockefeller personally super- 
intends this farm and is one of those who 
know how' to make farming profitable. He 
also owns a large number of lots within the 
corporate limits of Sunbury. 

Our subject's father. .A. Jordan Rockefeller, 
was born in Sunbury, anil was educated in his 
native town, after which he studied law with 
the late Judge Alexander Jordan. He was 
admitted to the bar at the early age of twenty 
_\ears and gained a good practice. He was 




REV. JAMES A. HUBER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



689 



also a leading politician, being a Democrat 
prior to the war, and afterward a Republican. 
He was a fluent speaker and made many cam,- 
paign speeches. He was remarkably talented 
and was a bright young attorney when cut off 
by death just in the beginning of a brilliant 
career. He died at the age of twenty-five 
years and his widow still survives him, resid- 
ing in Sunbury. He was joined in the holy 
lionds of matrimony with Mary A. Forsyth, 
a daughter of William T. Forsyth, now de- 
ceased, who was a prominent citizen of North- 
umberland. They had one son, Jordan How- 
ard, subject of this sketch. 

Our suliject sought for his wife, Edith Ger- 
trude Hunsinger, daughter of William Hun- 
singer of Milton, Northumberland County, 
Pa., and two sons now bless their home: Jor- 
dan Howard, Jr., and William H. Mr. Rock- 
cieller is a Democrat and takes a nominal in- 
terest in party successes. In his religious be- 
lief he is an advocate of the doctrine of the 
Presbyterian faith, like all his family. 




EV. JAMES A. HUBER, pastor of 
St. Hubert's German Catholic Church 
L^ V^^ of Danville, Pa., was born at Lan- 
caster, Pa., February 15, 1853, and is a son 
of William and Catherine (Koperle) Huber. 

William Huber, now deceased, was a native 
of Liaden, Germany, who, upon coming to this 
country, located at Lancaster, Pa., where he 
followed his trade as a Iniilder and contractor. 
He was united in marriage with Catherine 
Koperle, and a family of eight children was 
l)orn to them, wbo were named as follows: 
William, Titus, John. Mary, James, Barbara, 
Harry, and Catherine. 

Rev. James A. Huber was a graduate of St. 
\'inccnt's College, and was ortlained to preach 



in 1880, and at once became assistant pastor 
of St. Mary's Church of Lancaster, from 
which place he was sent to New^ Freedom, 
Pa. Later he became pastor of the Carlisle 
Catholic Church, then was stationed at Eliz- 
abethtown, from which place he removed to 
Danville, and has occupied the pulpit of St. 
Hubert's German Catholic Church since 
Jvlarch, 1895. The handsome church edifice 
was erected in 1862, is built of brick, and has a 
large basement, where the German Catholic 
School is conducted l)y sisters, Catherine and 
Huberta, who have some sixty pupils. The 
church is heated by hot air and lighted by gas; 
it has a membership of fifty families. 

A portrait of Rev. James A. Huber is jire- 
sented on another page, in connection with 
the above life Iiistorv. 




ON. ABRAHAM SHIPMAN, de- 
ceased, who in his day served as asso- 
ciate judge of Northumberland 
County, Pa., and also as county surveyor, was 
a well-known and most influential man. He 
was a son of John and Mary (McKinney) 
Shipman and was born March 6, 18 10, in 
Lower Augusta township, where he resided all 
his life, passing away August 8, 1878. He 
was educated in the common schools of his 
native county and studiously applied himself 
when not in school, thereby acquiring a good 
education. He studied civil engineering un- 
der David Andrews and 1)ecame a proficient 
survevor, entering upon the duties of his pro- 
fession in ^larch, 1836. He built what is 
known as the ShiiMuan mill, on the old home- 
stead in Rockefeller township, and carried on 
farming and milling in conjunction with sur- 
veying and conveyancing, doing quite an ex- 
tensive business. He served as county sur- 



690 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



veyor for several years; was associate judge 
for a |)eriod of ten years; and subsequently 
was justice of the peace in Lower Augusta 
townshi]) for several years. Politically he was 
an ardent Democrat, active and influential in 
the councils of lii-s party, and for a long time 
was its recognized leader in the county. 

Harmon Shipman, Sr.. the progenitor of 
I he American branch of the numerous Ship- 
mrin fainil_\-, was a nati\c of Germany and was 
born in 1717. He innnigrated to this country 
about 1740. settling in New Jersey at a place 
known as Uniontown. in what is now Har- 
mony township. Warren County; there he 
purchased 200 acres of land, which was then 
coverefl with a dense forest and was a fitting 
abode for the wild beasts and the native braves 
whom civilization was slowly but surely forc- 
ing from their heritage. With characteristic 
industry this hardy pioneer began the battle 
with the forces of nature to improve and trans- 
form the wilderness into prodnctix'e and fruit- 
ful fields. He accomplished his task and lived 
out his long life on his estate, hewn out by 
his own efiforts from that vast wilderness, and 
died March 8, 1805, aged eighty-eight years. 

During the Revolutionary struggle Har- 
mon Shipman aided the American cause, in 
many ways contributing both his time and his 
means and by sending four sons, William, 
Nicholas, John, and Christian, to the service, 
bidding them to light gallantly for their coun- 
try's freedom. At the close of the war the 
patriots found themselves so impoverished by 
their loyal efforts that the older sons, with 
their families, moved to other settlements. 

W'illiam and Nicholas ^ttled in Lower Au- 
gusta townshij), Northumberland County, 
Pa., in the spring of 1794. In 1802 their 
brothers. Christian and Jacob, settled in the 
same vicinity, and again a part of the family 
had been reunited. According to tradition 



Harmon Shi])man, Sr., was first married in 
Germany, and his wife came with him to 
.America. They were the parents of five chil- 
dren, one of whom, William, was the grand- 
father of our subject. Harmon Shipman, Sr., 
married for his second wife a Miss Howe, and 
they had a family of six children. 

William Shi])man, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Harmon}- townshii), Susse.K 
Countv, New Jersey, June 9, 1756. He set- 
tled in Lower Augusta tow-nship, Northum- 
berland County, Pa., in 1794; there he died 
June 23, 1841, and his remains were l)uried in 
the Mountain Presbyterian l)urial ground of 
that townshi]). He married soon after the 
close of the Ivevolntionary War, settling in 
Lower Augusta township, w here he i)urchased 
150 acres of land, and std)sequcntlv made ad- 
ditional purchases until he liecame owner of 
a large acreage. He and his wife had a family 
of eight children, one of whom was John Ship- 
man, father of Abraham Shipman, the sul)ject 
of this sketch. 

John Shipman was born in Sussex County, 
New Jersey, October 13, 1783. and at eleven 
years of age accompanied his parents to Low- 
er Augusta township, where he spent his life 
in the tranquil and peaceful pursuits of hus- 
bandr\-. He died .\\m\ 8, 1 850. He was 
imited in marriage with Mary McKinney, a 
daughter of Abraham and Abigail McKinney. 
This daughter was born January 25, 1786, and 
! died ^larcb lo, 1851. John and Mary Ship- 
man were parents of eleven children, the eldest 
of whom was the late Abraham Shipman, the 
subject of this sketch. 

Abraham Shipman was united in marriage 
February 14, 1837, with Elizabeth Yoxthei- 
mer, l)y whom he had eleven children, ten of 
whom grew to manhood and womanhood. 
.Ml were born in Lower Augusta tow nshi]) and 
were named as follows: 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



691 



(ist.) Lemuel, who was born December 
15, 1838. On September 27, i860, he married 
Maria Bloom, daughter of William Bloom. 
Lenuiel received an academic education in 
New Berlin, and early in life was employed in 
the saw and grist milling business by his 
father. October 30, 1862, he enlisted in the 
L'nion Army, in Company D, 3rd Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Artillery. He was promoted to second 
lieutenant of the same company, May 16, 
1864, and served as such until the close of the 
war. While officer-of-the-day at Fortress 
Monroe he had charge of a very distinguished 
prisoner, no less a personage than ]ef( Davis, 
President of the Confederate government. He 
was register of wills, recorder of deeds and 
clerk of the Orphans' Court of his native 
county from 1874 to 1880, and has filled other 
positions of trust and honor. In 1887 he re- 
mo\ed to Lewisburg, Union County, where 
he was prominent in business circles. He re- 
moved to West Virginia in 1889 and followed 
the lumbering business; at this writing he is 
at Meridian, Miss., engaged in lumbering and 
other enterprises. 

(2nd.) Matilda, who was born .Vugust 19, 
1840. On August 12, 1859, she married John 
Bloom of Lower Augusta township, now a 
successful farmer of Rockefeller township. 

(3rd.) Mark, who was born April 24, 1842, 
and died June 22, 1870. He enlisted in the 
Union Army soon after the tiring on Fort 
Sumter, and remained in active service during 
the entire war, being stationed most of the 
time at Key West. Fla. 

(4th.) Saul, who was born January 4, 1844, 
and was married July 13, 1869, to Lucinda 
Fasold. He also enlisted in the Civil War, 
served in Company C, 131st Reg., Pa. Vol., 
and was discharged nine months after enter- 
ing the service. On his return home he took 
a preparatory collegiate course at Freeburg 



Academy. In 1864 he engaged in teaching 
school, and continued to teach until 1869, 
when he was elected superintendent of 
schools of Northumberland County. He 
was re-elected in 1872, serving six years; was 
a faithful ofificial and thoroughly posted in the 
duties of his office. He now resides upon a 
farm in Rockefeller township, engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits and teaching. 

(5th.) Ruth, who was born August 6, 1845, 
and on October 31, 1867, became the wife of 
Joseph Gass, Jr., a farmer of Rockefeller town- 
ship. 

(6th.) Aim, who was born November 25, 
1847, ^'■"^1 ^^'is married November 15, 1866, 
to .Xntliony S. Speece, who is now engaged in 
the powder business at Speeceville, Dauphin 
County, Pa. 

(7th.) Rebecca J., who was born Decem- 
ber 27, 1850, and married Franklin Maberry. 

(8th.) Silas, born April 30, 1853, and died 
August 14, 1853. 

(9th.) Ira, whose life history will be given 
later. 

(loth.) Walter, who is also mentioned in 
this review. 

(nth.) JelTcrson. who was born February 
24, 1859, read law with his brother Walter, 
was admitted to the bar and is now a suc- 
cessful attorney at Mount Carmel, Pa. 

Ira Shipman, county superintendent of 
schools of Northumberland County, Pa., 
and resident of Sunbury, is a son of the late 
Judge Shipman, whose history has Ijeen given. 
Prof. Shipman was born in Lower Augusta 
township, ncjw Rockefeller township, five 
miles southeast of Sunbur}-. May 17. 1854. 
His election to the position of county school 
superintendent recalls the coincidence of his 
birth with the creation of the oflfice of county 
superintendent, which was established in 
1854 by an action of the State Legislature of 



692 



HOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Pennsylvania. He received his education and 
training in the common scliools of liis nati\c 
township, at Freeburg Academy, and at the 
SIii])pcnshurg State Normal School. He be- 
gan teaching school at the age of seventeen 
years and followed that })rofession uninter- 
rujitedl}' for a period of twenty-two years, 
having taught four years in his native town- 
ship and eighteen years in Sunljury. In 1893 
he was elected county supcrintentlent of 
schools and in 1896 was re-elected. In his 
young manhood he was assistant to his father, 
who was an expert surveyor and civil engi- 
neer, and when not otherwise engaged Prof. 
Shi])man follows that calling now and is re- 
garded as one of the best surveyors in the 
vicinity of his home. He was civil engineer 
of the Ijorough of Sunbur\- for five years, but 
resigned in 1893, having been elected county 
superintendent. He served as justice of the 
peace for a number of years during his resi- 
dence in Rockefeller township. Upon the 
death of his father he purchased tiie old fam- 
ily homestead, which he remodeled and made 
his place of residence for eight or ten years. 

Ira Shipman has an honest and just pride 
in the progress and development of his 
adopted town, and has done much to advertise 
the advantages of Sunbury. He is a man of 
line scholarl}' attainments; having been the 
guardian of his own literary pursuits, he de- 
serves the hearty commendation of all. In the 
discharge of his official dutieij he has the repu- 
tation of being strictly honest and impartial, 
and is held in high esteem by teachers and all 
others, who regard him as an exemplary pub- 
lic servant and a most thorough and deserving 
gentleman. In his religious views he is an ad- 
herent of the Presbyterian Church. 

On .\in-il -'A, 1876, Prof. Shipman was 
united in marriage to Theresa, daughter of 
Solomon and Caroline (Kline) Miller of Low- 



er Augusta, now Rockefeller, township. Unto 
them have been born three children: Herbert 
M., deceased; Ralph; and Waldo. 

Walter Shipman, a successful attorney-at- 
law and justice of the peace of Sunbury, is also 
a son of the late Judge Shipman, w hose family 
is one of the leading ones in the Seventeenth 
Congressional District. He was born in Low- 
er Augusta township, .\ugust 3, 1856, and rc- 
ceix'cd his primary educaticui in the public 
schools, which was supplemented by a coiu'se 
in Freeburg .Vcademy and at Millersburg 
State Normal School. He also became a 
teacher and followed that calling for a num- 
lier of years, but finally decided to enter the 
legal profession. After reading and studying 
law he was admitted to the bar and has since 
been actively engaged in practicing his pro- 
fession in Northumberland County. In 1893 
he was elected justice of the i)eace in Sunbury, 
and re-elected to the same of^ce in 1898. He 
is a Democrat; his town has a Republican 
majority ranging from 150 to 200 votes; the 
fact of Mr. Shipman's election and re-election 
to the same office on the Democratic ticket is 
ample evidence of his efficiency and great pop- 
ularity with the masses. 

.\pril 30, 1878, Mr. Shipman took for his 
bride Josephine M. Coldren of Lower Augusta 
township, and three children have blessed 
their home: Lida ]M.. born April 23, 1879, 
who is a grailuate of the Sunbury High 
School, and now assists her father in his office 
duties; Carrie G., bom July 15, 1882; and 
James F.. born October 29, 1884. 

Walter Shipman is a pleasant, genial gentle- 
man, of fine mien; a man of e.xalted character, 
and has the air of a good politician. He has 
been very successful in building up a lucrative 
law practice and his success is the just reward 
of concentration and perseverance. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



693 



B 



R. F R E D E R I C K D. R A K E R. 
Among the nian\' able physicians who 
are practicing their profession in Slia- 
mokin at the present time none have met with 
greater success than the subject of this sketch. 
Dr. F. D. Raker. Few are better known or 
more skilful, and none have a larger practice 
than that which occupies the entire time and 
attention of this active physician and surgeon, 
who owes his prominence in his profession to 
his own perseverance, which has enabled Iiim 
to surmount all difficulties and become what 
the world rightly terms a self-made man. He 
is a native of Northumberland County. He 
acceptably filled the office of county coroner 
for two terms of three years each. Although 
he takes a livelyinterest in ])ublic affairs and 
is a good illustration of the representati\e Sha- 
mokin citizen, his extensive practice prevents 
active undertakings outside of his profession. 
Dr. Raker was born in Little iMahanoy 
township, on December 26, 1856, and attend- 
ed the ungraded district schools when not 
working on his father's farm. Then he en- 
tered the Elysburg and Freeburg academies, 
and at the age of twenty years commenced 
teaching school in Washington township. In 
1877 he went to Wyoming township and be- 
gan reading medicine with Dr. D. H. Dorn- 
sife. By 1879 he had saved sufficient money 
to complete his medical education and he en- 
tered Jefferson Medical College, from which 
institution he was graduated two years later. 
He then began to practice his profession at 
Beaumont, Wyoming County, but remained 
there only seven months. On January 10, 
1882, Dr. Raker removed to Shamokin, where 
he has since been in continual practice. The 
young physician pushed rapidly to the front 
after locating in Shamokin, his professional 
skill soon loeing recognized by all classes of 
the pc()])le. It was not Inng befnrc he had as 



many patrons as he could attend, and the re- 
sult has been that in addition to acquiring an 
excellent reputation as an able physician and 
surgeon he has amassed a goodly share of this 
world's goods as well. He does not confine 
his practice to any one branch of his profes- 
sion. Like all others who have attained suc- 
cess in his vocation, he has had to pay the 
penalty in hard work and untiring zeal for the 
relief of suft'ering humanity. He still burns 
the midnight oil in keeping himself well in- 
formed on all new developments in the med- 
ical world. 

In 1889. in connection with Dr. D. S. Hol- 
lenback, he established the drug business un- 
der the firm name of Hollenl)ack & Raker. 
He carried the Democratic banner success- 
fully through the election of 1887 as candi- 
date for the office of coroner, and again in 
1890, and has also served as physician for the 
Shamokin and Coal township poor district. 
He has invested his earnings in real estate and 
owns a number of desirable building lots at 
Marshallton, which he is now disposing of 
at reasonable prices. 

Frederick Raker, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a native of Little Mahanoy township 
and a son of Conrad Raker, who was one of 
the i)ioneer settlers in the Mahanoy Valley. 
Frederick Raker spent his life in Little Ma- 
hanoy townshi]), where he followed both farm- 
ing and blacksmithing, and died at the age of 
forty years. He married Elizabeth Hoffman, 
who lived to the advanced age of eighty-seven 
years; her family was noted for longevity. 

C. H. Raker, father of Dr. Raker, was prob- 
ably born at Block House, in Tioga County, 
and has lived at the old homestead all his life, 
except a short time spent in the West. He 
learned the trade of a gunsmith and followed 
that occupation to some extent. He is an ar- 
dent IV'niocrat, but not an office-seeker, and 



694 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



has never lield office other than a townsliij) 
office. In relii^ious matters liis ])refennent is 
tile i.ulhcran Clun"cli, of uliich lie is a useful 
and active member, lie ami his wife were 
parents of a family of eleven children, two of 
whom died in infancy. Follow int^' are tlie 
names of those now living: Frederick 1).. sub- 
ject of this sketch; Mary Elizabeth, wife of 
Ahin Raker, residing at Shamokin; Rev. 
John H., who graduated at Aluhlenlierg Col- 
lege at Allentown. and is now a minister at 
Lebanon, Pa.; Lyiha, wife of John Schlegel, 
of Shamokin, Pa.; Hattie. wife of Samuel 
Moyer, of Shamokin: Albert, who resides on 
the old homestead at Raker, Northumberland 
County; Ida, wife of John Hillbush, of Sha- 
mokin; and Edward, a student at Muhlen- 
berg College. 

In 1882 Dr. Raker was united in marriage 
with Alveretta Wirt, who died June 19, 1885. 
May 2-/, 1890, he wedded a second wife, being 
united with Mary .\da Dcppen, a daughter of 
Joseph Deppen, a successful real estate dealer 
of Mount Carmel. Northumberland County, 
Pa. Two sons and two daughters now bless 
their home: Conrad and Ralph; Eva and .\1- 
ma. Mrs. Raker died May 8, 1898. 

Dr. Raker is a member of the Columbian 
Medical Society of Shamokin; the Northum- 
berland County Medical Society; the Penn- 
sylvania State Medical Association; the Jef- 
ferson Medical College Alunnii; and the 
.\merican Medical Association. lie is also a 
member of the P. O. S. of A., and of the I. 
O. O. F., and an active member of the Trinitv 
Lutheran Church. 



AN'TOX K. LEISERIXC, the popu- 
lar and genial ])ropriet(jr of the Fdv.s- 
burg Hotel, and one of the best 
known citizens of l''.lvsl)urg, Pa., is a son of 



JB 



Henry B. and Mary A. (Eclirote) Leisering, 
and was born at Bear Ga]), Shamokin town- 
shi[), Northumberland County, Pa., August 
16, 1859. 

Hemy B. Leisering. the fatlier of our sub- 
ject, was born March 20, 1824, in Sunbury, 
Pa. The greater part of his life was spent at 
Bear Gap, but in 1884 he moved to Elysburg, 
Pa. He was a miller by trade and beside fol- 
lowing that occupation had charge of and 
worked on the turnpike for manv years. He 
was a stanch Democrat and, while he did not 
as])ire to office, he was a prcjminent worker in 
politics. He was a liard working man and by 
honesty and integrity won for himself a large 
circle of friends, being widely known. Mr. 
Leisering married ALary ,\. Echrote of .Mien- 
town, Pa., who was born July 15. 1819, and 
li\ed to reach the age of seventy-nine years. 
Our sul)ject's father passed away February 
22, 1895. at the age of .seventy-one years. He 
left several children, namel}-; .\miie. who died 
at the age of twenty-nine; Herbert, a livery- 
man of Shamokin, Pa., who married Kale 
Lanciscus, and has two children, Ahdcolm 
and Lena; Stella, who married Clark Creasy, 
a farmer in Briarcreek township, Columbia 
County, by whom she has three children, Day- 
ton, Clara, and Grace: Tacie. who married 
Theodore iieck, a butcher ;uid ])roprietor of 
a feed store at Shamokin. — the\- ha\e three 
children. Irene, Millie, and Harry; and l)a_\-- 
ton K.. the subject of this biogra])h\-. The 
children were ;dl educated in the public 
schools at Elysburg, Pa. 

On October T4. 1879, Da^'ton K. Leisering 
married Mary \\. Rich.ard of Shamokin town- 
shi]). a daughter of John and Catherine (O.s- 
tricher) Richard. .Mr. Richard's wife was born 
in (jermany, but he was born in Shamokin 
township, where he livetl all of his life work- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



695 



ing at farming and as a butclier. Tliey were 
tlie parents of tliree children, as follows: Wil- 
liam A., who is in the lnml)er business at Elys- 
burg, and the father of fi\e children, Harry, 
Da\ton, Florence, Mabel, and Walter; Mary 
E., the wife of our subject; and Eugene, who 
is living with his father, who married Ella 
Linilermute of New Media, Columbia County, 
and has one son, Earl. 

IJayton K. Leisering lived at home, work- 
ing for his father until he was twenty years 
old, when he married, and he continued to re- 
side with him for five years longer. Then he 
remoxcd to Bear Ga]) and followed lumbering 
for one vear, when he mo\ed to F^lNsburg, 
where he is now engaged in farming and 
threshing. In 1887 he rented the hotel which 
he now owns and in i8()3 purchased it. He 
has made many improvements on the build- 
ing and it jiresents a fine a])pearance, l)eing 
modern in every respect. The Elysburg 
Hotel is well-patronized and bears a flattering 
reputation, as it sets an excellent table; a bar 
is also run in connection with the house. The 
guests are given every attention and it is al- 
ways with a feeling of regret that they take 
their departure from this welbknown hos- 
telry. 

For the past seven years Mr. Leisering has 
carried on an extensive timber Inisiness, get- 
ting out mine supplies. He is an unswerving 
Democrat and takes an active interest in poli- 
tics. In 1898 he was elected school director 
for three years. With _\-ears of hard work 
has come success to our subject, and he is 
spoken of by all as a man deserving of great 
]')ros]:)erity. Religiously he is a member of 
llie (ierman I^utheran Church, while his wife 
is a member of the German Reformed Church. 
His marriage has been blessed by one child. 
John H., who was born June 8, 1881. 



R. P. J. FAUGHNAN, a highly re- 
pected citizen and well known phy- 



B 

f'-*-,^ sician of Locust Gap, Pa., has for 
many years been one of the most acti\e men 
in tlie township, and has built up a large and 
lucrati\'e practice in the county. He is the 
son of h'rancis and Fannie (Cremman) I'augh- 
nan, and was born February 23, 1865, in 
Gamble ttnvnship. Lycoming County, Pa. 
Francis Faughnan was liorn in County Lat- 
rim, Ireland, ;md he married Fannie Crem- 
man who was ;i native of County Cork, Ire- 
land. They inunigrated to America in the 
early 4o"s and settled in Lycoming Count)-, 
Pa., where Mr. Faughnan departed this life. 
His wife, hdwever, still li\'es in that county. 

Dr. P. J. Faughnan, the subject of this 
sketch, was educated in the schools of Ly- 
coming County and also attended the Lycom- 
ing County Normal School at Muncy, Pa. 
For three years he taught school, and during 
the sunnners worked at carpentering, doing 
contract work. He then entered the pre- 
ceptorship of Dr. D. C. Flanagan of Ralston, 
Pa.; and later entered the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Md.. and 
was graduated from that institution in 1892. 
\w 1893 he successfully passed the state ex- 
amination and was admitted to ])ractice in 
Pennsylvania, and at once located at Locust 
Gap, his present location, and has since en- 
joyed a large general practice. 

Dr. Faughnan married Winifred Alathew- 
son and their union has been blessed with 
one child. Marguerite. Politically, Dr. 
Faughan is a stanch Democrat and while he 
has never sought political distinction, he has 
represented his party as delegate to county 
conventions. Dr. Faughnan has a host of 
warm friends in the county. He is a man 
of splendid attainments and fine natural abih- 
ties and is looked upon as one of the best 
physicians in the county. 



696 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



"C^/^JOSKI'I! 
V^V I whose sue 



IIAKKISON, under 
iccessful management the 
Danville Knitting Mill Company 
has prospered, is a lineal descendant of the in- 
ventor of the knitting machine, and was born 
December 17, 1863, in the city of Philadel- 
])hia. He is a son of William J. and iVnna 
(W'rightson) Harrison. 

William J. Harrison, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in County Derry, Ireland, and 
carl\- in life came to Philadelphia. Pa., where 
he followed the trade of a baker and later 
that of an engineer. When the Civil War 
broke out he enlisted and rendered valuable 
aid to the cause of his adopted country. After 
rctiu'uing home he carried on a drug business 
until his retirement, when he returned to his 
native land and spent tiie remainder of his 
decHning days, dying in 1896, at the age of 
sixty-one years. He was united in marriage 
with Anna Wrightson, a daughter of John 
Wrigiitson, w ho was a native of England, and 
a grandson, maternally, of Charles G. Shirt- 
lift, the inventor of the knitting machine. Mr. 
Wrightson learned the details of the knitting- 
business and came to America, locating in 
l'biladcl]>bia, where he established a knitting 
mill. He was succeeded as proprietor by his 
three sons: Henry, deceased; Arthur; and 
William. The two last named are still in that 
business. This union of our suliject's parents 
resulted in the birth of the following children: 
W. Joseph; Robert C, a spinner of Philadel- 
lihia; Mary J.; Jolm H., also a spinner of 
l'hiladeli)hia; and Oliver T., deceased. Mr. 
Harrison purchased a fine residence property 
in Philadeli)hia, where his beloved wife still 

lives. 

W. Joseph Harrison attended the public 
schools of his native city until he was twelve 
years of ao;e, when he began working in the 

knitting mills, entering the employ of J. J. 



Glazier & Co., wiiere he took advantage of 
every opportunity offered for advancement. 
After gaining a thorough knowledge of the 
business he accepted a position as foreman of 
the Love & Company Knitting Mills of Phil- 
adelphia, which he held in a satisfactory man- 
ner for a period of four years, when he be- 
came manager of the Thomas West Mills, in 
that city. At the expiration of five years time 
he became foreman of the Taylor & Haw- 
thorne Company of Wilmington, Del., re- 
maining with that firm imtil 1896, when he 
came to Danville and became stockholder and 
general manager of the Dan\'ille Knitting Mill 
Compau}-, which was formerly the Equitable 
Stocking Company. .\t that time the plant 
was located on W^est. Center street in an old 
school-house which was rebuilt to meet the 
requirements of the business. In July, 1898, 
the company erected a three-story brick build- 
ing, 48x84 feet, on Church street, wdiich they 
now occupy. It is well lighted with electricity 
and heated with steam and equippcil in e\-ery 
way for the convenience of carrying on the 
business. They make a specialty of gentle- 
men's fine hose, and, as tlie demand for their 
goods is exceedingly large, 300 skilled hands 
are constantly employed. This was the first 
factory in the vicinity of Danville to employ 
fcin:de help, thereliy cH'ecting a great good by 
giving employment to many needy persons. 

Mr. Harrison was united in matrimonial 
bonds with Mary D. l*-arrell, a daughter of 
Edwin W. Earrell, a machinist of more than 
ordinary skill, of Philadelphia, and they are 
the happy parents of five children, namely: 
.\nnie; William: Lillie; Joseph: and Thom- 
as. Socially he is i)ast .sachem of Mahoning 
Tribe, No. yj, I. O. R. M.; and was the or- 
ganizer of laltah Tribe, No. 115, and of Men- 
eola Tribe No. 187. Politically, our subject 
is a Democrat. 




REV. ROBERT N. HARRIS. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



£99 



Tk^EV. ROBERT N. HARRIS. It is a 
I ^Y^ pleasure to write the review of the 
-■-^ V ^ lifi' and work of a man such as is 
Ihe suljject of this sketch, however brief and 
inadequate it may be in some details. Clothed 
in the spirit as well as the garb of the min- 
istry, naturally modest and unassuming, Rob- 
ert N. Harris is not the man to tell much of 
his deeds nor to take unto himself as much 
credit as is cheerfully given to him by those 
who know him best and who are most inti- 
matel}' associated with him in his church 
work. Higher compliment need not be paid 
our subject than to characterize him as a 
strong, eloquent man of God as pastor and 
Christian, and as an equally strong, self-pos- 
sessed, helpful man as citizen, neighbor and 
friend. 

Rev. Robert N. Harris is a son of Robert 
N. and Mary A. (Kees) Harris, and was born 
in West Philadelphia, Pa., October 28, 1866. 
He is the popular, scholarly and successful 
pastor of the First Congregational Church of 
Mount Carmel, a church which has constantly 
increased in lumibers and influence for good 
under his ministrations. 

Our subject was educated in the public 
schools of Philadelphia and also had the bene- 
fit of instructions by Rev. P. J. Kain of Phila- 
delphia, under whose guidance he well pre- 
pared liimself to enter the ministry as he had 
determined to do when quite young, which 
decision was made njion his conxersion. Af- 
ter dex'oting himself to e\'angelistic work for 
some time our subject was made associate 
pastor with his tutor and friend. Rev. P. J. 
Kain, and was placed in charge of the First 
Congregational Church at West Pittston, Pa., 
in September, 1891. He remained in charge 
of that church until March, iSg4, when he 
accepted a call to the Second Congregational 
Church at Coaldale, Scluudkill Countv. Pa., 



where he remained until September, 1896, 
during which time the memliership of the 
church was increased tweKefold and a beau- 
tiful house of worship built and detlicated, free 
from all debt. He then removed to Mount 
Carmel and assumed the pastorate of the 
church of which he is now the head. He 
presides over the largest Protestant congre- 
gation in the town, his church has all the cus- 
tomary working societies and the increase in 
membership has been large and rapid since 
he became pastor. A\'hen he was called to 
Mount Carmel the church was in quite a sad 
state in manv respects and the few surxiving 
members, who had stood by it for many years, 
were much discouraged but agreed to still 
hold on an<l to try once more, provided our 
subject could l)e secured as their pastor. Mr. 
Harris accepted the call and with his char- 
acterestic energy set to work and aroused 
such interest and attracted people so gener- 
ally by his powerful and eloquent preaching 
and his many good traits of personal charac- 
ter, that the church is to-day on solid foun- 
dations and a new and much larger edifice, 
costing about $6,000, stands a fitting monu- 
ment to the energy and popularity of the pas- 
tor and the love and respect in whicli he is 
held by his congregation. 

Comparatively few weeks have passed since 
a terrible event occurred which was the means 
of forever linking with the local history of 
Mount Carmel and its residents the name an 1 
the deeds of Rev. Rol)ert X. Harris. It was 
in the disastrous railroad wreck at Dunellen. 
N. J., that the greater, the more concealed, 
manly character of our subject was revealed. 
He was among those on the ill-fated train 
and was seated in the midst of the victims of 
the wrecked coach: unlike many of the otti- 
cials and others, he retained his self-posses- 
sion, and. therefore, was able to do what was 



700 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



to l)e (lone (|uickl\- and clTcctiNfly. It fell 
to his lot to assume charge of the rescue and 
to aid in their exacting work the i)hysicians 
who first arrived. The details of the terrible 
catastroi)lie need not he recounted here, nor 
is it possil)lc to ade(|uately describe the ([uiel 
dignity, the hel])ful and consoling spirit in 
which Mr. Harris went among the dead and 
wounded and ministered to their comfort, 
bodily and sjiiritnally. Among the ])assen- 
gers were a number of the citizens of Mount 
Carmel, eight of whom yielded up their lives, 
and to the wounded Mr. Harris spoke words 
of cheer, gave nourislnnent, and through a'l 
the terrible ordeal, in the midst of the moans 
of the dying ;uid the pitiful ;ip"peal> and pray- 
ers of the suffering, liore himself like unto the 
true man of (iod that he is. His was a cheer- 
ful presence, a rav of gladsome light shedding 
itself upcin the d.irkness which dread disaster 
had lowered over many homes in Mount Car- 
mel. .Appreciating his efforts, the railroad 
company placed free telegraphic connnmiica- 
tion .and a sjjeci.al car at his disposal, and, 
thus, Mr. Harris was enabled to (piickly ])er- 
form the sorrowful duty of notifying loved 
ones of the terril)le blow which had f.allen. 
His messages, whether bearing the tidings of 
death or the notice of injury, -.vere so written 
that thev ever will be remembered as those 
of a man with a m.inly and sensiti\-e heart 
and hlled with the tender (iodly spirit. His 
services ;it the wreck endeared him to those 
not only within his church but to those who 
differ with him in belief but unite with a'l 
in recognizing his assistance in a time of need 
and in loving him for the kindly, effective 
and gentle manner in which it w;is given; and. 
not until after the arrival of the other rescuers, 
whom Rev. Mr. Harris gave all the credit 
for their noble work at the wreck, was as- 
certained the \ahiable service which Rew Mr. 



Harris had rendered in the terril)le luiur of 
need. 

On August 17, i<^93, our subject married 
Emma B. Brown, daughter of Charles Wes- 
ley Brown of West I'ittston, Luzerne County, 
Pa. To the ha])py coujfle have been born two 
children: Wesley k'ain, born May 25, 1894, 
and Eleanor ]\Iav, bmn June 25, 1896. 

The p.arents of the subject of this review 
came of sturdy Scotch- Irish stock, lioth hav- 
ing been born in Countx' Dcinegal. Ireland, 
where lliev were reared. Tlie mother of our 
subject came to this country in 1849, locating 
in Philadeljjiiia, and the father followed in 
the succeeding year. The couple were married 
in 1855. The father in his nati\e country was 
a farmer and landowner. He located in Phil- 
adelphia where he was connected for some 
years with Wetheril & Co., manufacturers of 
lead, .and where he now resides at the age 
of sixty-eight years. His wife ilied in Jidy, 
1893. In ])olitics the father always has been 
a Re])ul)lican. Religiously he is one of the 
three surviving charter members of the 
Princeton Presbyterian Church of which Rev. 
Dr. Addison Henry is pastor. He has always 
taken active part in the work of that church 
in which he has long served as an elder. 

Robert .\. Harris and his wife, Mary, 
parents of our subject, had given unto them 
six children: Albert I'',., Williaiu A., and 
Katharine J., who are deceased; our subject; 
Annie E., wife of James E. Maclntyre of 
Germantown, Pa., who is a drummer by oc- 
cu])ation; and Charles K., who is a resident 
of Philadelphia and a brassworker by occu- 
pation. 

To the luany friends and well-wishers of 
Rev. Robert N.' Harris, it will be a pleasure 
to learn that his portrait is shown on a pre- 
ceding page, in connection with the abo\e 
account of his life and works. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



701 




1^. ETER BALDY, Sr.. wIk. was one of 
the most prominent men of Danville, 

-^ was a son of Panl and Catherine 
(Beam) Balclw and was burn in Sunbury, 
Northumberland County, Pa. In 1814 he left 
the town of his nativity and located in Dan- 
ville where he followed his trade, that of a 
blacksmith, for several years. He subsequent- 
ly engaged in the general merchandise busi- 
ness, at which he was very successful and 
at whicii he continued the rest of his life. He 
was a public-spirited man and did much for 
the borough of Dan\ille. He organized the 
first bank of Danxille in 1848 and served as its 
president until his demise. He was a liberal 
supi)orter of the Nolunteer soldiers of Dan- 
ville, especially of the Baldy Guards under 
Capt. Ramsey, and the Fencibles under Capt. 
Shreeve. He did considerable building in the 
village. He retired from active business du- 
ties some twenty years before his death, which 
occurred November 24, 1880. He was al- 
ways deeply interested in religious works. 
When young he was an active member of the 
Lutheran Church, but in 1828, when Christ 
Episcopal Church was built, he became one of 
its first vestrymen. His son. Peter Baldy. Jr., 
was the first to be l)a])tized in the church, and 
afterwards he became the organist. Peter, Sr., 
was one of the main supporters of the church 
and in 1844 presented it with a large bell. He 
bequeathed $5,000 for the support of the cler- 
gy of that church, $500 to the Sunday School, 
and $50,000 for a suitable memorial to him- 
self and his beloved wife. His will was exe- 
cuted to the letter, and as a result one of the 
most beautiful churches in Eastern Pennsyl- 
\ania was erected at Danville. His companion 
in life was Sarah Hurley, a daughter of Dan- 
iel and Martha Hurley, who passed to her eter- 
nal rest in November. 1875, in the eighty-fifth 
_\ear of her age. They were the parents of the 



following children: Edward Hurley, Martha 
Hurley, Mary Catherine, Peter, Jr., Hurley, 
and Ellen Ann. 

Edward Hurley I'.aldy was a man of schol- 
arly attainments and graduated from Prince- 
ton College before he was of age. He then 
took up the study of law with Josiah Comlv. 
and was admitted t(j the bar at the age of 
twenty-two years. He then began to practice 
in the village of Danville, and was one of the 
most successful lawyers of the county. He was 
a shrewd and energetic man and was an elo- 
quent orator. His reputation extended 
throughout the slate and he acquired high 
standing in the foremost ranks of his profes- 
sion. He was an enteriirising man, and, like 
his father, took an actix'e interest in the wel- 
fare of Danville. He succeeded his father as 
president of the Danville National Bank. In 
company with Charles Paxton he laid out a 
tract of land which is to-da}- within the cor- 
porate limits of the borough. He was attor- 
ney for all of the early manufacturing plants 
in the eastern part of the state. He accumu- 
lated a fortune. In 1872 he erected a hand- 
some stone residence on West Market street, 
one of tlie finest in the town at that time. 
After li\-ing a long and useful life he was 
called to his final rest in 1891, at the age of 
seventy years. He was united in the bonds 
of wedlock to Mary Jennison. a daughter of 
William Jennison, who was for many vears 
connected with the Pennsylvania Iron Works 
of Philadelphia. i)ut finally located in Dan\ille. 
residing on the site of the present Methodist 
Episcopal parsonage. Five children blessed 
this union, namely: Mary J. (Grove); Kate 
G. (Watson); Edward H.. Jr.. and Ennly. 
deceased; and William Jennison, a well-known 
attorney anil real estate dealer of Danville, 
who succeeded his father as president of the 
Danville National Bank. Mrs. Baldv died at 



702 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the age of twenty-six years. Her Inishaiul 
formed a second matrimonial alliance with 
Henrietta C. Montgomery, who came from 
one of the early families of Pennsylvania. She 
i.s descended from one Robert Montgomery, 
who, with his wife Sarah, emigrated from Ire- 
land at the age of thirty-two years and located 
on the present site of the city of Harrisburg, 
Pa., where he engaged in the cnltivation of the 
soil. Jlis son. John, was born in County Ar- 
magh, Ireland, and was but four years old 
when he came to America with his ])arents. 
He li\ed in the \icinily of Harrisburg all his 
life, and his death resulted from an accident 
in 179-', at the age of fifty-eight years. As a 
■ result of hi> uninn witli C_"hristina I'oster he 
became the parent of a son, l)a\id, the grand- 
father of Mrs. Baldy. l)a\id Montgomery 
married .-Vgnes Shaw, i)y whom he had ihe fol- 
lowing children: h.liz.i; John G., the father 
of Mrs. Baldy; .Margaret: William S.; IJavid 
R.; I-Jobert F. ; Christina; Xancy; and Caro- 
line I!. John (i. Montgomery was born on 
January 28, 1805, and after reaching maturity 
studied law under the direction of Judge 
Coo])er of Dan\ille. I le was a prominent law- 
yer of ])an\ille and li\ed an acti\e life until 
his demise, in 1857. His first marriage was 
with Deborah B. Kerr, a daughter of Jacob 
Kerr, and after her death he married Hen- 
rietta Cooper, a daughter of his former ])re- 
cei)tor. Judge Cooper. This union resulted in 
the following issue: Agnes; .Mice; Elizabeth; 
Henrietta C. ; Margaret; John C; and Car- 
oline. Mrs. Baldy died in 1864, leaving five 
children: Sarah 1 lurley, the wife of Dr. Irving 
H. Jennings, a record of whose life api)ears 
below; Dr. John Montgomery of I'hiladel- 
phia, who is without doubt one of the best 
physicians of the state of Pemisylvania; 
Alice, who ni.irried a Mr. Ilartman; Henry 
Waller; and I lenrietta Cooper, fvlward H. 



Baldy was again married, his third imion be- 
ing with Alice Montgomery, a sister of his 
second wife. 

Ih". Ir\ing 11. Jennings, whose office is lo- 
cated at Xo. 104 .Mill street. Dan\ille. I'a., 
is one of the leading dentists of Montour 
County. He was born in Harrisburg, Pa., 
and is a son of John C. Jennings. He 
(.btained his intellectual training in the public 
and high schools of Harrisburg. after which 
lie was ])repared for the denial profession in 
the L'ni\-ersity of Penns_\-lvania. from which 
he graduated in 1883. Inunediately there- 
after he began jiractice in Harrisburg and 
continued until 1885, when he mo\-ed to Dan- 
\ille, where he has since continued to pr;ic- 
tice. 

Dr. Jennings was joined in hymeneal bonds 
with Sara Hurley Baldy, and they are the hap- 
l)y ])arents of .a bright and interesting son, 
lulward Baldy Jemiings, who was born in 
I )anvillc, Septeml)er 4, 1897. Religiously, Dr. 
and Mrs. Jennings are consistent members of 
Christ l'4)isco]),'il Clnu'ch of Druiville. 




ycV)/ II.CIA.M I'. HALFA'. a leading 
i'\l merchant of Locust (iap, who is 
j)ro|)rietor of one of the largest gro- 
cery stores of that ])lace, is kmjwn for his hon- 
est antl upright dealings with all and is a man 
of the strictest integrity. He is a son of Pat- 
rick and Barbara (Meisberger) Haley, and was 
born in Coal township, Northumberland 
County, Pa., August 14, 1871. 

Patrick Haley, the father of our subject, 
was born February 22, 1835, at Mount Laffer, 
Schuylkill County. Pa., and moved to North- 
umberland County at the age of nineteen and 
located in Coal township. Although a prac- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



703 



tical miner, he followei! cuntraetiii!^' auidug' 
tlie mines nearly all his life time, and it was in 
the mines at Coal township that he lost his 
life. August 20, 1884. lie was a life-long- 
Democrat, and he never eared for j)ul)lic life 
for himself, but lie was untiring in his efforts 
for the success of his friends. He married 
Barbara Meisberger, a nati\e of German)-, 
who came with her parents to this country 
when but h\e years old. .She was born Jan- 
uary 3, 1850, and her father w as Michael Meis- 
berg'er. Her parents were among the earliest 
settlers of Coal township, and were highly re- 
spected in the count}-. Our subject's parents 
reared eigiit children, as follows: William F., 
the subject of this Ijiography; Mary, deceased, 
who was the wife of Peter Duppy of Locust 
Gap. and whose daughter. Margaret, is being 
reared by our subject; Michael, who was kill- 
ed in the mines at the age of twenty-one years, 
nine months and three days; Margaret, the 
wife of Walter Bosine, who resided at Locust 
Gap; Elizal)eth, the wife of Frank Brecker of 
Locust Gap; Eugene, who is in the employ 
of our sul)ject; Victoria, who is at home; and 
Patrick, who died at the age of three years. 
Our subject's mother is still living and is 
spending her declining days at the home of 
her son. 

William F. Phdew the subject of this biog- 
raphy, was educated in the schools of Coal 
township, but at the age of nine years he be- 
gan picking slate, continuing his schooling 
during the summer. At the age of eleven 
years he went into the mines, remaining there 
until he was nineteen years old; he then 
worked for two years in the grocery store of 
his aunt. Mrs. Enoch Shoda of Mount Carmel. 
At the end of that period he engaged in the 
huckstering business for three years, having 
a large patronage and being very successful; 
in connection with that business he became 



proprietor of the grocery store which he now 
conducts. 

On No\ ember 22, 1897, our subject mar- 
ried Elizabeth Rourke. Mr. Haley has a large 
and lucrati\e business and he is an active and 
interested citizen of Locust Gap. In politics 
he is a Democrat. 




GDEN PL OSTRANDER, one of the 
most widely known citizens of North- 
imiberland County, is a highly es- 
teemed resident of ]^i\'erside, where he is en- 
gaged in civil engineering, in the real estate 
business, and as an expert accountant. He 
was born in New York City, October 12, 
1837, and is a son of Philip H. and Julia A. 
(Van Loon) Ostrander, both of whom were 
natives of New York City. 

Our subject was reared and educated in 
New York City, learned the profession of a 
civil engineer, and then spent six years in the 
employ of the New York & Hudson River 
Railroad. He then gave up his profession 
and moved to Danville, Pa., to accept a posi- 
ticin in a large general store; later he spent 
one year in Philadelphia; then he returned to 
Danville and became accountant for Grove 
Bros., of that town, which position he held for 
a period of seven years. This position he re- 
signed to accept an appointment as postmas- 
ter of Danville, and at the expiration of his 
term, in 1869, he again took up his former 
profession as a civil engineer. In 1869 he 
laid out the village of Riverside, wdiich lies on 
the bank of the Susquehanna River, opposite 
the borough of Danville, and is located in 
Rush township, Northumberland County. C)ur 
subject built a handsome brick residence, with 
a brown-stone front, on the corner of Avenue 



704 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



D and Sixtli street; the house is surrdiiiided 
by a well-kept lawn and beautiful shade trees 
and shrubberies. He also built and sold some 
twenty other model residences, and induced 
many people to make Riverside their home. 
Mr. Ostrander lias supervised the erection of 
many of the residences and business structures 
of Riverside, including;' the bridge that was 
built in 1S75. which connects Danville and 
Riverside, and the Danville Water Works. In 
187 1 he erected the l^nion School building, 
paid the bills and carrieil all indebtedness for 
several years, when it was transferred to the 
.school district, lie has been interested in 
the grow til of both l);ui\ille and Riverside, 
has served a.s president of the <ilend()\ver 
Mills, now known as the Mahoning Rolling 
Mills, and has .served as accountant for nearly 
all the mills and mamifacturing establishments 
in Danville. He has also served as justice of 
the peace, as school director, and has been a 
member of the village council of Riverside. 

In i89(S the borough of Sunbury made a 
contract with (George F. Steefer and Mr. Os- 
trander for the making of an official map of 
the borough, and in 1899, after about a year 
and ;i h;df of labor, the work was completed, 
at a cost of about $2,000. 

Mr. Ostrander was wedded to Melissa D. 
Brown, a daughter of (jeorge B. Brown of 
Dan\ille. 

(ieorge lirown was born in Columbia Coun- 
ty, now Montour Comity, .September 13, 
18 if), and is a son of Samuel ;ui(l Dorothy 
(Neice) Brown, the former ;i nati\-e of Eng- 
land and the latter a native of Holland. 
George Ihown engaged in farming until he 
was seventeen years of age and then began 
clerking in a store at Mifflinville, Pa. In 1834 
he moved to Danville and purchased the store 
of S. M. Bowman & Company; he then stud- 
ied dentistr\' and later opened ;i dent;d office. 



In 1856 he opened and conducted a stationery 
! store, and to him belongs the honor of estab- 
lishing the first daily newspaper of Danville. 
He was united in marriage to Sarah A. Gear- 
hart, a daughter of John Gearhart, and as a 
result of this union four children were reared, 
namely: Benton B. ; Melissa D., our subject's 
wife; John G.; and William G. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ostrander are the parents of 
the following children: George B., a clerk re- 
siding at Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Walter S., a civil 
engineer and surveyor of Riverside; Sarah B., 
who is attending school; and Henry and 
Mary, who died in infanc\-. Mr. Ostrander 
is a member of the .Masonic fraternity and is 
the oldest jjast master li\'ing of Dan\'ille 
Lodge No. 224, F. tK: .\. ,M.; is jiast high 
priest and past connnander of the Knights 
Templar: also a member of Danville Chapter. 
Our subject is a mendier of the Baptist 
Church and has serx'ed as trustee many years: 
he also aided in the building of the Fpisco])al 
Church of Riverside. Mrs. Ostrander is a 
member of the Methodist Church. 

In politics our subject is a Democrat, but 
was formerly a Rejinblican, having cast his 
lirst \'ote for Lincoln. 



M 



R. SAMUEL B. ARMENT. a well- 
known physician and surgeon of Co- 
lumbia County, is one of the popular 
and highly esteemed residents of Bloomsburg. 
He was born in the city of Philadelphia, Au- 
gust II, 1852, and is a son of Oliver H. P. 
and Mary Govett (W'hitehead) .\rment, and 
grandson of Benjamin .\rment. 

The grandfather of our subject, with his 
widowed mother, removed from New York 
City to Delaware County, Pa., where Benja- 
min was bound out to learn the trade of a 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



705 



shoemaker, which vocation he followed a 
short time: he then pnrchased a farm near 
Miildletown, Delaware Countx', and engaged 
in the cultivation of the soil. When the West 
Chester Division of the Pittsburg «& Western 
Railroad was laid across his farm he erected 
a line house near the track, which the railroad 
company afterward bought and transformed 
into a station, calling it (ireenwood Grove. 
Benjamin Arment passed from this life aged 
eighty-two _\ears: he was the father of the 
following children: William Henry: ( )li\er 
Hazard Perry; Benjamin Franklin: Henry 
Harrison: Margaret: and Sarah. The grand- 
mother of our subject died at the age of fifty- 
si.\ \ears. 

Oliver Hazard Perry Arment was born on 
bis father's farm in Delaware Count v, l^a., and 
when he attained his manhood lie learned the 
carpenter's trade and worked with Joseph 
^Vest of Philadel])hia for sexeral years. Pater 
he w as a builder and contractor, in w hich busi- 
ness he was very successful ; he was a very act- 
ive man and was held in high esteem by his 
neighbors and acquaintances. He entered the 
world of rest, September 19. 1878, at the age 
of si.\ty-six years. Mr. Arment chose for his 
comi)anion in life I\Iary Govett Whitehead, a 
daughter of John Whitehead of Philadelphia, 
and to them the following children were l)orn: 
.Vnnie, the wife of Charles H. Bridenhurst; 
Samuel B.. the subject of this narrative: Mary, 
who died in her infanc}': and RWa Lucretia, 
the wife of Dr. A. S. Koses, a prominent den- 
tist of Harrisburg, Pa. Our subject's father 
was a member of the Episcopal Church; in 
politics he was a stanch Republican. Socially 
he was a member and treasurer of Veritas 
Lodge, P O. O. F., of Philadelphia, and of 
Moscosca Lodge, P O. R. RP 

Dr. Samuel B. Arment, at the age of eleven 
}ears, went to live with his grandfather. Ben- 



jamin .-\rment, and attended the public 
schools of Middletowu until he was sixteen 
years of age; he then learned the carpenter's 
trade and followed that occupation until he 
was twenty-one years of age. when he began 
the study of medicine under Dr. J. W. Mc- 
I'Aven of Philadelphia. Later he entered Jef- 
ferson Medical College, and was graduated in 
1878. His work in college was of a high or- 
der and he received honorable mention from 
Prof. J. .M. DeCosta for the re])ort of clinical 
cases, and a pocket operating case from Dr. 
T. H. .\ndrews for the best dissection in the 
anatomical rooms. Of like character has been 
his work since as a practitioner. Immediately 
after his graduation he served six months as 
assistant demonstrator under Dr. T. H. An- 
drews, thereb\' adding extensi\ely to his 
knowledge and gaining much practical expe- 
rience. He next followed his chosen profes- 
sion at Vincentown, N. J., for one and one- 
half years;' later he went \\'est and operated 
a ranch at Morning Side, near Siou.x City, 
Iowa, remaining in that business for over a 
year. He then again took up his profession 
and practiced with Dr. .\. J. Weeks for some 
time. Returning" to Philadelphia he accepted 
a position as assistant demonstrator under A. 
C. W'. Beecher of the Jefferson Medical Col- 
lege: and as chief of the sta.fi under Dr. C. 
H. Allis in the orthopedic department of the 
Jefferson Medical College Hospital. In 1887 
Dr. .\rment moved to Bloomsburg to take 
charge of Dr. Gardner's practice while the lat- 
ter was away, and finding the location to his 
liking he continued in his profession there, 
becoming a very skilful practitioner, and rose 
to the front ranks with wonderful rapidity. 

Dr. Arment was wedded to Armentine Mc- 
Intyre, and they are the parents of one child, 
Armentine Lucretia, who was born January- 
J2, i8y2. Our subject bought of Mr. P. E. 



706 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Wirt liis residence at No. 26 West Fiftli street, 
and lias remodeled and equipi)ed the same 
with tlie latest improvements; his office and 
parlors are in his residence, and his home is 
one of the handsomest in the community. In 
1S92 the Doctor patented the well-known Ar- 
mcnt lawn-mower, and has a manufactmHng 
plant in liloomshurL;'. this business alone 
yielding him a handsome income. He is a 
member and past master of Washington 
Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M.; past high priest 
of r.loomsliurg ('liai)ttM-, No. 218, R. A. M.; 
l)ast eminent commander of Crusade Com- 
mandery; illustrious commander-in-chief of 
Caldwell Consistory, A. A. S. R., 32nd degree; 
and is \iceroy of Orient Conclave, No. 2, 
Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. 




jDWARD (;. HOFFMAN, who prior to 
his death, July 13. 1898. was prothon- 
otary and clerk of the several 
courts of Alontour County, Pa., was one of 
the highly esteemed and valued citizens of the 
town of Danville. He was a native of Rush 
township, Xortliunilicrland County, and was 
a son of .\l)raham ami J''lizal)eth (W'oherton) 
Hoffman, a grandson of Abraham Hoffman, 
and a great-grandson of Jacob Hoffman. 

Jacob Hoffman was born in (^lermany. He 
innnigrated to this country, locating in New 
Jersey, where he engaged in the cultivation of 
the soil. He was a soldier in the War of the 
Revolution. Abraham Hoffman, the grand- 
father of our subject, settled in Siiamokin 
township, Northumberland County, Pa., 
w here be was successfully engaged as an agri- 
culturist. He was the father of the follow- 
ing children: John; Peter; Michael; Abra- 
ham; P)arbara; and Maria. 

Abraham HolYnian, the father of our sub- 



ject, was born on his father's farm in North- 
umberland County where he spent his boy- 
hood days assisting his father in the labors 
on the farm, .\ttaining his majority he was 
in the mercantile business for a number of 
}ears, sold out and ])urchased a farm in Rush 
township. Northumberland County. He re- 
mained there the rest of his days, passing away 
at the age of eighty-seven years, four months 
and twenty-seven days. Prior to his death 
he was a hearty, strong and active man, and 
his demise was sudden, the cause being a 
stroke of apoplexy. He was joined in the 
bonds of wedlock with Elizabeth Wolverton, a 
daughter of Roger Wolverton of Northamp- 
ton County, Pa. They were the ])arents of 
eight children, namely: Maria, John, P>eulah, 
Jacob, Jemima, Erastus, Isaac, and Edward 
G. Mrs. Hoffman died at the age of fifty-nine 
years. 

Edward G. Hoffman, tiie subject of this 
sketch, received liis primary education in the 
])nblic schools and completed it by a course 
in the Danville Academy. The next nine 
years were spent in teaching in the public 
schools of Danville, after which he carried on 
f.'U'ming in Rush township for four }'ears. In 
1 861 he removed to Dan\ille and was employ- 
ed as bookkeej^er in the store of Waterman & 
I'eaver. Later lie serx'ed as commissioner 
clerk for the countv for five x'ears. In 1873 
he was elected justice of the i)eace, and in 
connection with the iluties of that office also 
acted as prothonot.'uy of Montour County. 
In 1887 our subject was elected prothonotary 
and clerk of the courts of Montour County, 
and filled those offices until his death; he 
proved himself worthy of the position, and 
won high esteem in his profession. 

Mr. Hoffman was united in the bonds of 
matrimony with Sarah E. Mettler, a daughter 
of Wilson Mettler, a i)rt)minent farmer of 




JACOB D. WERKHEISER. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



709 



Rush township, Northumberland County, and 
they had one child, Annie Elizabeth, born in 
1864, who assisted her father in the discharge 
of his duties, being deputy prothonotary. In 
i86g Mr. Hofifman erected a handsome brick 
residence at No. 121 Market street, where he 
resided the remainder of his life. He was a 
member and past master of Danville Lodge 
No. 224, F. & A. M.; Danville Commandery 
No. T^"/, of Danville. 



ACOB D. WERKHEISER. a pros- 
perous and enterprising merchant of 
Espy, ColumI)ia County, whose por- 
trait is shown on the opposite page, is a son 
of John and Helena (Dietrich) Werkheiser, 
and was born in Upper Mount Bethel town- 
ship, Northampton County, Pa., September 
28, 1827. 

The paternal grandfather of our subject, 
Carl Werkheiser, was a native of Germany, — 
upon coming to this country he located in 
Northampton County, where he was one of 
the leading agriculturists. He reared a large 
family of children. 

John Werkheiser, the father of our sub- 
ject, was born in Northam])ton Cotmty, Eeb- 
ruary 16, 1791, and at an early age learned 
the trade of a tailor. He followed that occu- 
pation in Upper Mount Bethel township un- 
til 1 83 1, when he moved to Briarcreek, now 
Center township. Cohnnliia County, and 
there devoted the remainder of his life to till- 
ing the soil and operating a saw-mill. He 
was an industrious worker and was quite suc- 
cessful in business afifairs. He was a stanch 
Democrat and held many township offices. 
He was an active member and officer in the 
Lutheran Church. His death, which oc- 
curred March 6, i860, was the result of acci- 



dentally falling from a wagon and breaking 
his neck. He was united in the holy bonds 
of wedlock with Helena Dietrich, a daughter 
of Mr. J. Dietrich of Upper Mount Bethel 
township, Northampton County, and they 
reared five sons and three daughters, namely : 
Charles, deceased, formerly a tailor but later 
a huckster and farmer of Mifflinville, Colum- 
bia County: Elizabeth, deceased, who was the 
wife of the late Samuel Dietrich of Berwick: 
Peter F., deceased, who was a tailor and after- 
wards a huckster of Mifflinville: John, a re- 
tired tailor and miller of Mifflinville; Reuben, 
who died at an early age: Sarah Ann, de- 
ceased; Katie Ann, the wife of Nehemiali 
Richart of Espy; and Jacob D., the sul)ject of 
this personal history. 

Jacob I). Werkheiser received his education 
in the public schools, after whicli he worked 
for a time at the tailor's trade with his father. 
He then learned the trade of a shoemaker 
which he followed from 1845 to 1878. during 
which time he was also engaged in boating 
on the Pennsylvania canal: he also engaged in 
huckstering for one year. In 1863 he 
opened a general merchandise store in connec- 
tion with the manufacture of shoes and has 
\-ery successfully continued the mercantile 
business since. He has a neat, well-appear- 
ing store and under his capable management 
it has the patronage of the leading citizens of 
the comnnmity. 

Mr. Werkheiser has twice taken the mar- 
riasre vows. His first union, which occurred 
in 1850, was with Catherine Strieker, a daugh- 
ter of Peter Strieker of Catawissa. and they 
were the ])roud parents of five children : ]\Iiles 
Arthur, a shoemaker of Byron, Lee County. 
111.; John Lloyd, a resident of Pittston, Pa.; 
William Charles, an employee in the railroad 
signal station at Duryea, Luzerne County, and 
also a groceryman of that place; Sarah Ma- 



710 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



tikla, wife of Lewis Miller of Pittston. Pa.; 
and Clara, who died when four years of age. 
Tlis second alliance was willi I-'Jmvra Lunger, 
a daughter of Jacob Lunger of Jackson town- 
ship, Columbia County. Our .subject is past 
grand master of Espy Lodge. Xo. 68 1, L 
( ). (). F., and was also cha])lain for several 
years. In religious attachments he is a Luth- 
eran. Tic joined the Lutheran Church when 
he was eighteen years of age. He has been 
a member of the council of that church since 
1S52 and has been the .secretary of the coun- 
cil for forty years. He was one of the charter 
members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran 
Church of T^sjjy; and was sui)erintendcnt of 
the Sunday Scliool several years. He has also 
been secretary of the Creveling Cemetery 
Comjiany for thirty-five years and is the treas- 
urer of the ( )(ld Fellows" ILill .-Vssocialinii of 
Espy. Pa. 




K llAEL MEYLERT was a promi- 
nent and highly esteemed citizen 
•and a substantial business man of 
Laporte, Pa., of which town he was the 
founder. He laid out the streets and parks 
of the town and did more to promote its in- 
terests than any other man. Mr. Meylert 
was born in New Milford, Pa., on June 20, 
J 823, and he was a .son of Secku and Abigail 
(Nichols) Meylert. 

Secku Meylert was a farmer of Susquehan- 
na County, Pa., and as a result of his marriage 
with Abigail Nichols the following children 
were born: Amos N.; Michael, the subject of 
this biographical sketch; Henry, who died in 
infancy; William; Mind well; Asa; Maria; 
Guerdon; I'riscilla. Amos N. was united in 
marriage with Ann Dennis, and they reared 
the following children: Addie, the wife of J. 



A. Scranton, who has two children, Lydia and 
Robert; Charles, deceased, who was joined 
in marriage with Laquer Lawrence, by whom 
he reared three children, Laquer, Charles, 
and Fanny; William wedded Mary Rielly, 
who bore him one daughter, Florence; Marv, 
wife of (). Johnson; Kate, wife of J. F. ALay- 
lon, and has two cliildren. Catherine and 
Theo". and Louise, who is the wife of Fred 
Rodcwald. and is the mother of one child, 
.\nnie. William, the fourth child born to 
Secku and Abigail Meylert, married .\rary A. 
(jregory. and they reside in Laporte. The\' 
ha\e reared five children: Mina, the wife of 
E. S. Chase, by whom she has three children, 
.\da, Edith, and Helen; Adaline; Howard, 
whose marriage with Mary Cain resulted in 
the birth of one child, Grace; Fanny; and 
I*"rank. who wedded Rose Miller. Mindwell 
Meylert was united in marriage with Alfred 
Sauer, and their home has been blessed by 
two children, Alfred and Fred. Asa Meylert 
was joined in the bonds of wedlock with Har- 
riet Hodgdon. Maria Meylert married Isaac 
Brunner and four children blessed this union. 
namely: Mary, the wife of William Mullen, 
is the mother of two children, Eugenia and 
Meylert; Meylert B. married Mary Mayall, 
and they have reared three children. Char- 
lotte, Mayall, and Meylert; Anna; and Edith. 
Chierdon Meylert married Ellen Madden; 
Priscilla, the youngest child born to Secku 
and .\bigail Meylert, married Judson Richard- 
son, an.d they ha\e two children. May and 
William. 

Michael Meylert. the subject of this sketch, 
acquired a good education in the ])ublic 
schools and at Montrose and F'riendsxille 
academies. At the age of eighteen years he 
began teaching school. Later he was em- 
ployed by a corps of engineers to work on 
the North Branch nf the canal, during which 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



711 



time he made his home at Tuiikhannock. 
Upon the completion of the canal he followed 
snr\-eying and civil engineering and surveyed 
the asylum lands. He subsequently entered 
the employ of William B. Clynier, general 
agent of the Bingham estate, and took charge 
of the surveying department. In 1847, when 
Sullivan County was di\'i(led from Lycoming 
County, Mr. Meylert, the father of our sul)- 
ject, and Mr. Clymer purchased the Norris & 
Fox lands, which lie in the south-central part 
of Sullivan County, and they appointed Mich- 
ael Meylert as agent, and he purchased many 
hundred acres of land. He built a rude log 
house and settled at what is now the town of 
Laporte ; he surveyed and laid out streets and 
parks; built many houses, and set out shade 
trees. He erected the first frame house there, 
now known as the Mountain llonse, and later 
built the Laporte Hotel, a handsome and sub- 
stantial structure, three-stories high, which 
was destroyed by fire in 1897. He also built a 
saw-mill and later established a news[)aper, 
with which he was connected for some thirty 
}ears. In 185 1 Mr. Meylert became inter- 
ested in tanning, and in that year built a tan- 
nery. Besides a beautiful brick buil<ling, 
which he made his home, he owned several 
other residences. Mr. Meylert was never 
known to abandon an\- important project hav- 
ing once set about the execution of it, and it 
was this persistency of effort which won him 
success and which gained for him the admira- 
tion and respect of his fellow-citizens. 

Politically our subject was an uncompro- 
mising Democrat and upheld the principles of 
his party with the steadfastness that character- 
ized all his actions. He was positive in his 
o])inions and fearless in their maintenance. In 
1 85 1 he was honored by election to the State 
Legislature and passed the first railroad bill 
allowing a railroad to be built between Cata- 



wissa and the State Line. He surveyed the 
route of the Williamsport & North Branch 
Railroad. Our subject's mind w^as always act- 
ive and industrious and his business affairs 
were always conducted with great wisdom and 
skill; he was regarded as a man of weight in 
his community, whose opinions and judgment 
were highly valued. The death of Mr. Mey- 
lert occurred on January 17, 1883, and his loss 
was greatly mourned by the community in 
which he had so long resided and with which 
he was so closely identified. Mrs. Meylert 
now resides in Laporte, where she is held in 
high esteem by a large circle of acquaintances. 



ACOB B. M.\(;AR(;KL. Among the 
foremost and enterprising merchants of 
Sullivan County, Pa., is the gentleman 
whose biogra])hy we write, who has been en- 
gaged in the mercantile business in the village 
of Sonestown since 1891, and who at present 
keeps one of the most complete general stores 
that can be found in the country. He is also 
recognized as one of the valuable members 
of the comnuniity. He was born in Sones- 
town April 2, 1869, and is a son of Thomas 
S. and Phoebe E. (Houseknecht) Magargel, 
and grandson of Britten Magargel, who re- 
sided in the city of Philadelphia during his 
early manhood, but later moved to Lycoming 
County, Pa., where he conducted a merchan- 
dise store and operated a farm. 

Thomas S. Magargel was born and reared 
fn the city of Philadelphia, and his youthful 
days were spent attending the district school 
and assisting his father in the cultivation of his 
father's farm and working in his store. In 
early manhood, Mr. Magargel took up his res- 
idence in Sonestown and rented the old Tay- 



712 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



lor Hotel, which he later hougiit, and rc'l)iiilt 
into a iiaiulsomo tlirce-slory house, contain- 
ing^ seventeen rooms, which he furnished 
througliout with tlie latest conveniences. He 
conducted this liotel until his death, which 
occurred in ]8(S(j; the hotel was the most pop- 
ular stoppinj;-i)lace for the travelini;' puldic in 
the conununily and was classed among the 
liesl hotels in its section of the county. He 
was united in marriage witli riioehe E. 
llouseknecht, a daughter of Jacob and Su- 
sanna (Sones) Houseknecht, and they became 
llie happy parents of the following children: 
Harry, a farmer by vocation, married Belle 
Ray and they are the parents of four children, 
— Brewn.ird. Schuster, Emerson, and Wort; 
Ella I\Iay is the wife of Lincoln Sheets; Clara 
was united in marriage with Charles Starr and 
they arc the parents of two children, — Celia 
and Frank, deceased; Jacob B. is the subject 
of this personal history; Erank is a prominent 
merchant of Muncy \'alley. Pa., and his wife 
is Cora Crawley: l\al])h is li\ing at home; 
and Maude, deceased. ()ur suliject's mother 
is one of a family of ten children', namely: 
John, Julian, Peter, Betsey, Jacob, Benjamin, 
Daniel, Charles, Mary Jane, Issachar, and 
Phoebe E. Mrs. Magargel conducted the 
hotel after the demise of her husband until 
January 2, 1899, and is a lady much respected 
for her many excellent traits of character. Our 
subject's father was an unwa\ering Democrat 
and held the oflicc of commissioner and con- 
stable: fraternally he was a member and past 
grand of the I. O. O. F. 

Jacob B. Magargel attended the district 
schools and the Muncy Normal and then 
taught some five terms in all in the public 
schools of Sonestown: his lirst \enture into 
business was in the year 1891, when he and 
his brother Frank purchased the mercantile 
store then owned by Jacob Lorah. They also 



bought the building which was erected by 
Jacob Porah in 1S7C) and was a two-story 
frame 24 by 60; they carried a comjjlete line 
of goods such as is carried in a general store 
and succeeded in establishing an envial)le 
trade. Pater our subject purchased the inter- 
ests of his brother I""rank, who went to Muncy 
\'alley, Pa., where he opened a like store; Mr. 
Magargel has greatly increased the stock since 
taking fidl possession of the store and b\- his 
honest and straightforward wa}-s of dealing 
has gained the confidence and good-will of 
the entire coinnninity. .Mr. Magargel also 
owns a fine and productive farm consisting of 
102 acres and has men to cultivate the same 
for him, as his time is too much taken up in 
his store to attend to agricultural work. 

Politically, Mr. IMagargel is a solid Demo- 
crat and takes an active interest in any enter- 
])rise that tends to promote the interest of his 
native township and county. Ide was appoint- 
ed postmaster of Sonestown on April 5, 1893, 
and held the office mitil I^'ebruary 20, 1896. 
During his stay in ofifice he gave complete 
satisfaction to the community. Fraternallv 
he is a member and past grand of the 1. (). 
(). F. and has passed through all the chairs 
t)f the P. O. S. of A. 




DGAR & HUNT are the present pro- 
l)rietors of the Crystal Springs Distil- 
lery, ;ni old establishment well- 
known throughout the state for the excellent 
pure rye whiskies which are distilled there. 
Edgar & Hunt (.\lfred H. Edgar, George B. 
Hunt) succeeded the firm of Edgar & Beish- 
line (.\lfred H. Edgar, Clem G. Beishline): 
the latter firm purchased the plant January i, 
1898, and set out to sustain the reputation es- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



713 



lablishecl by the former owner, B. Frank Ed- 
gar, father of Alfred H. The partnership of 
Edgar & Beishhne was terminated by tlie 
death of the jnnior member of the firm, Mr. 
Beisliline. on November 13, 1898. Mr. Edgar 
tlien a(hnitted George B. Hunt as partner, 
and the business has since been conducted un- 
der the firm name of Edgar & Hunt. 

Alfred H. Edgar, who is one of the best dis- 
tillers of the state, was Ijorn in Fishing Creek 
township, November 11, 1870, and is a son of 
B. Frank and Susan (Hartman) Edgar. 

The Edgar famil_\- is of Scotch origin, and 
James Edgar, the great-grandfather of our 
subject, was a native of the state of New 
York, but at an earlv dav mo\ed to Benton, 
Benton townshi]), Ldhnnbia L'ountw Pa. /\f- 
ter a time he movedto Fishing Creek town- 
ship, in the latter ]:)art of the eighteenth cen- 
tury. The later years of his life were spent as 
a resident of the state of Ohio, where he 
passed to his eternal resting place. His wife's 
maiden name was Buchanan, and she was de- 
scended from the same ancestors as was Presi- 
dent Buchanan: their union resulteil in the 
following offspring: John married Hester 
Zimmerman and lived in Indiana, where he 
diefl; Robert married Susanna McHenry, and 
(lied in Fishing Creek township; Martha mar- 
ried Moses McHenrv, and lived in Fishing 
Creek township; Ellen married Elias McHen- 
ry; Elizabeth became the wife of John Jack- 
son of Indiana; Edward was a resident of 
Ohio; Christina married Silas McHenry, and 
died in Ohio; and James, the youngest, who 
was the grandfather of our subject. 

James Edgar was born August 22, 1806. 
and early in life was a farmer and lumberman 
of Benton township, but subsequently sold his 
])ropert\' there and moved to Fishing Creek 
township, where he followed the same occupa- 
tion and became a i)rominent man. He was 



deeply interested in public affairs and for sev- 
eral years served as constable. In 1828 he 
was joined in wedlock with Sarah McHenry, 
a daughter of Daniel McHenry, whose father 
was the well-known pioneer of that name. She 
was born .\pril 28. 1810, and was called to her 
home in the unknown beyond in Fishing 
Creek township, September 10, 1882. To their 
union were born nine sons and one daughter. 
as follows: Daniel married Louisa Stokes, and 
resided in New Columbus, Luzerne County, 
where he died October 23, 1890; Robert died 
February 25, 1897, at the age of sixty-four 
years; Emanuel, deceased, married ]\Iartha 
McHenry. and was a stonemason and i)]aster- 
er by trade; George W.. a farmer and stock 
raiser of Cla)- County, .\eb., married Nellie 
Smith of Pittston. Pa.; William E., a late 
farmer and stockraiser of Fishing Creek town- 
ship; Hiram R., a stockraiser of Loup Coun- 
ty, Neb.; James C, who married Rosa Smith, 
a sister of Nellie Smith, named above; Thom- 
as Hardy, a record of whose life appears else- 
where in this Book of Biographies; and B. 
Frank, the father of our subject. 

B. Frank Edgar was born in Fishing Creek 
township. Columbia County, September 9. 
1836. and remained at home with his parents 
until he was eighteen years of age, when he 
learned the trade of a carpenter. This he fol- 
lowed for a jjciod of twenty years, when hf 
learned the trade of a distiller, and embarked 
in that business at Van Camp, Fishing Creek 
township, establishing the business which is 
now conducted by his son. He operated it 
successfully imtil 1894, when he moved the 
plant to Crystal Springs owing to the excel- 
lent facilities there for carrying on the busi- 
ness. Crystal Springs is a never-failing stream 
of as pure and good water as can be found in 
Columbia County. Mr. Edgar accunuilated 
money ra[>i(lly anel purchased considerable 



ri4 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



real estate, owninjj at one time three large 
farms, two of w liicli he disposed of prior to his 
death. He was a man of strict integrity and 
line business qualifications, and conducted his 
l)usiness up to the ist of January, 1898, when 
he disposed of tiic estal)lishment to liis son, 
Alfred II., and Clem G. Beishline. He retired 
from business life and lived in peace with him- 
self and the rest of the world until his death, 
which occurred April 22, 1898. I'olitically, lie 
was a stanch Democrat and held many of the 
township ofifices, serving as county commis- 
sioner for six years. He formed a marital 
union with Susan Hartman, a daughter of 
Solomon Hartman, and the following children 
blessed their union: Warren, who is book- 
keeper for his uncle, Thomas Hardy Edgar; 
Dora B., the wife of A. B. McHenry, a mer- 
chant of Stillwater, Pa.; Charles M., a late 
farmer of Fishing Creek; Hattie M., the wife 
of George B. Hunt, who is junior member of 
Edgar & Hunt; Alfred H., whose name heads 
these lines; and Thomas E., who died at an 
early age. After tlie ilemise of his wife Mr. 
Edgar formed a second alliance with Martha 
Colder, by w'hom he had four children: Her- 
ald; Alma; Madge; and Olive. Prior to his 
death he mo\ed to the town of Bloomsburg, 
where his wife and family still reside. 

.\lfred H. Edgar was reared on the farm 
and obtained an intellectual training in the 
public schools, after which he learned the 
trade of a distiller, serxing in that capacity 
for his father up to the latter's death. He 
then l^ecame the senior meml)er of the firm of 
Julgar & Beishline, and it is mainly due to his 
expertness as a distiller that his pure and well- 
tlavored whiskies find a ready sale on the mar- 
ket and rank with the best in the state. They 
manufacture a pure rye, sweet-mash, copper- 
distilled whisky, to which is bestowed much 
labor, care and personal attention. It is kept 



until fully matured, and at the present time 
they have on hand 6,000 gallons ranging in 
age from two to five years. Mr. Edgar is 
equally as popular in j)rivate circles as in busi- 
ness, and has a large number of friends in the 
conununity. wliere he has al\va_\s resided. 
June 30, 1896, he was united in matrimonial 
bonds with Anna R. Savage, a daughter of 
David Savage of Bloomsburg, by whom he 
has one daughter, Clara Savage. 

Clem G. l>eishline, who was junior member 
of the i'lrm of Edgar & Beishline, and a man 
of excellent business jiropensities, was a son 
of John \V. and Sarah E. (Hess) Beishline, 
and was b^)rn in I'enton township, Septemlier 
29, 1869. 

His great-grandfather was Micliael Beish- 
line, who was born in Germany, and in the 
early part of the eighteenth centur\^ located in 
America. He settled in Butler township, Lu- 
zerne County, where he followed the occu])a- 
tion of a farmer. His son, John B. Beishline, 
was also one of the leading agriculturists of 
that section, but the later years of his life were 
spent in Benton township, Columbia County, 
where John W.. our subject's father, was born, 
Februar_\- 15, i<S4(). In early life John W. 
Beishline followed teaching in connection 
with farming, l)ut later learned the trade of a 
carijenter. He was (juite proficient at that 
occupation and became an extensive con- 
tractor and builder, doing work throughout 
the county. His career came to a sudden end 
while working upon the residence of Capt. 
C. G. Jackson of ISerwick, August 14, 187S. 
at the earlj age of thirty-eight years. He was 
a soldier of the Civil War, first enlisting as a 
musician, but after the exj^iration of his term 
again enlisted as a lieutenant. When he left 
the service he was captain of Company A. 
74th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf. Politically, he was 
a Democrat, whilst in religious belief he was 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



715 



a nienil)er of llie Refoniied Church. Socially, 
he belonged to the I. O. O. F. He was 
united in marriage with Sarah Hess, a daugh- 
ter of Benjamin Hess, a farmer of Fishing 
Creek township, and they reared one son. 
Clem G. Mrs. Beishline is now rcsi(hng at 
Pond Hill, Luzerne County. 

Clem G. Beishline received a good English 
education in the public schools and at New 
Columbus Academy, and after arriving at ma- 
turity was engaged in several different lines 
of work until he formed a partnership with 
Mr. Edgar and operated the Crystal Springs 
Distiller)-. Socially, lie was a member of the 
Odd Fellow Lodge and the Patriotic Order 
Sons of America of Berwick. C)\-\ January 25, 
1S93. he was united in marriage with Laura 
AfcMichaels. a daughter of James McMichaels 
of Berwick, and one daughter was born to 
them, N'irtiinia. 




RS. PHOEBE E. MAGARGEL, 
who. until January 2, 1899, was 
])roprietor of one of the most 
popular public houses in the southern part of 
Sullivan County, is the widow of the late 
Thomas S. Magargel, who was born in the 
city of Philadelphia and who was a son of 
Britten and Ann (Schuster) Magargel. 

Britten Magargel was of Scotch descent 
and settled in Lairdsville, Pa., during his later 
3'ears. where he conducted a mercantile store 
and later engaged in general farming. 

Thomas S. Magargel possessed a fine edu- 
cation and his 1)oyhood days were spent assist- 
ing his father in running the store ami later 
aided him in the labors about the farm. Aft- 
er his marriage he settled in Sonestown, where 
he rented the old Taylor Hotel, and through 



b.is successful management of the same ac- 
cumulated enough money to purchase the 
property, and, in 1886, he erected a three and 
one-half story hotel of 17 rooms; the rooms 
were large, comfortable and well furnished, 
and Mr. Magargel gave the business the clos- 
est supervision and no expense or troul^le was 
spared to make the hotel service perfect, even 
to the smallest detail. That these efforts were 
not lost on those accepting of his hospitality 
was evidenced by the fact that once guests 
they were always guests when business after- 
wards called them to that locality. He was 
ver}- i)opular with the transients, and aided 
by his loving wife did all in his ])ower to make 
it as homelike as possible. The demise of Mr. 
Magargel, which occurred in the year 1889. 
was greatly lamented by a host of friends, who 
recognized him as a man of sterling worth 
and strict integrity. He was an upright citi- 
zen, highly esteemed in his commimity, and 
exerted his influence in the promotion of its 
best interests. 

Mr. Magargel chose for his life companion 
Phoebe E. Houseknecht, who has proved her- 
self a kind and loving wife, and much of the 
success of her husband was due to the part 
she had taken in the management of the hotel. 
She is a daughter of Jacob and Susanna 
(Sones) Houseknecht, and her father was born 
in Lycoming County and was a son of John 
Houseknecht who was a farmer and w ho died 
aged eighty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Houseknecht were the parents of the follow- 
ing children: John; Julian; Peter; Betsey; 
Jacob; Benjamin; Daniel; Charles; Mary 
Jane; Issachar; and Phoebe E., the subject 
of this sketch. Mrs. Magargel conducted the 
hotel after her husband's death until January 
J, 1899, and has won the highest respect of the 
traveling pul^lic as a landlady; the hotel, as 
operated by her, was by all odds the best in 



716 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



its section of tiie county, was well furnished, 
and tlie meals served Iiy this establishment 
also added greatly to its popularity witli the 
traveling public. 

Mr. Magargel was a solid Democrat in poli- 
tics, and served as conimis.sioner and as con- 
stable; fraternally he was a member and past 
grand of the 1. (). (J. F. Mr. and Mrs. Ma- 
gargel reared the following children: Harry, 
a farmer by trade, was nuarried to Belle Rav 
jjy whom he reared four children, — Brewnard, 
Schuster, lunerson. and Wort; Ella May is 
the wife of Lincoln Sheets; Clara is the wife 
of Charles Starr, and two children blessed 
their home, — Celia and Frank, the latter de- 
ceased; Jacob B. is a prominent merchant of 
Sonestown; Frank, a merchant of Muncy Val- 
ley, Pa., was wedded to Cora Crawley; Ralph 
is living at home; and Maude, deceased. 




ilARLI'lS KUL'C,, one of the oldest 
contractors and builders residing in 
the town of Bloomsburg, by his 
reliable work and straightforward methods of 
doing business has attracted to him hosts of 
friends and patrons. He was born in Penn 
township, Berks County, Pa., November ii, 
1844, and is a son of .Adam and Annie E. 
(Isenhardt) Krug. 

Adam Krug, the father of our sul)ject, was 
a native of Germany, and while in that coun- 
try learned the trade of a tanner. Innnigrating 
to the United States, he located in Penn town- 
ship, Berks County, and again took up his 
former trade. Later he moved to Lycoming 
County and purchased a tract of land and en- 
gaged in the cidtivation of the soil; he retired 
to Union County, where he spent his remain- 
ing days. 



Our subject acquired a liberal education in 
the common schools of his native town and 
during his boyhood days learned the carpen- 
ter's trade; at the age of twenty years he 
moved to Bloomsburg and followed his trade 
as a journeyman until 1S71. when he engaged 
in building and contracting, which business 
he has continued to the ])resent lime, lie has 
erected some of the handsomest dwellings and 
business blocks in Bloomsburg. and the Slate 
Normal School and the court-house, which 
were erected by him, demonstrate the excel- 
lency of his workmanship. He also owned 
and o])erated a ])laning-mill until it was de- 
.stroyed by fire. In 1897 our subject Iniilt his 
present home on East Third street, which is a 
handsome brick structure. Mr. Krug is an 
industrious and energetic man, a good citizen, 
and is held in high esteem. 

Mr. Krug is the parent of seventeen chil- 
dren, all of whom are living, and bid fair to 
follow in the footsteps of their excellent par- 
ents and become important members of the 
communities in which they reside. His first 
wife was Frances Ann, a daughter of John 
Yeager of Koaring Creek township, and she 
entere<l the world of rest at the age of thirt\- 
six years. As a result of this union the follow- 
ing children were ])orn: Laura A., the wife 
of flenry C. Jones: \\ illet, a foreman in llie 
lumber mills of Bloomsl)urg; Elwell, foreman 
for \\'. A. Shei)ar(l & Sons of Wilkestown; 
Cora, united in m.irriage to Harrv Beishline; 
Annie: and \\'illi;ini. Morris, Arthur, John 
and Paul, all carpenters by trade, who reside 
in Bloomsburg. Our subject's second mar- 
riage was to Mary M. Fredrick, a daughter of 
Samuel I'^rcdrick, a resident of Catawissa, and 
a family of seven children has blessed this 
union: Sarah: Julia; Llelen; Charles IL; 
]\Iargaret; George; and Grace. 




RUSSELL C. BUCKALKW. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



719 



MJ' 



^SSELL C. BUCKALEW, whose 
portrait we sliow on the opposite 
page, is the well-known proprietor 
of one of the faxorite livery stables of the town 
of Bloonisljnrg-. and by fair-and-square deal- 
ings has become well and widely known 
throughont the town and county. He was 
born in Cambria, Luzerne County, Pa., July 
9, 1836, and is a son of John and Rachel 
(Creveling) Buckalew, grandson of James 
Buckalew, and great-grandson of John Buck- 
alew. 

John Buckalew was a descendant of Francis 
Buccleuchs. who traced the name back to the 
time when Queen Mary of Scotlantl left her 
native country for France. Francis and Gil- 
bert, who were his brothers, immigrated to 
America and located on Long Island, which 
was then in the possession of the Dutcli. Their 
name Boileau, and Francis spelling his, Buck- 
alew. Francis later moved to South Amboy, 
N. J., where he spent the remainder of his life, 
ilying at the advanced age of one hundred 
and ten years. He had a son, Samuel, who 
died aged ninety-six years; Samuel was the 
jirogenitor of one son, John, the great-grand- 
father of our subject, who was born in Octo- 
ber, 1754. He was a millwright and miller liy 
trade and followed those occupations in Mun- 
cy, Pa., for several years. In 1873 he was 
joined in marriage to Alary McKenney, who 
was born in 1754. In 1776. under the Frank- 
lin Central Conunittee of Philadel])hia, he was 
a]ipointed one of the committee of safety for 
Turbot townshiii. Northumberland County, 
and in 1778 he was obliged to leave that coun- 
l\' on account of trouble with the Indians. He 
accordingly moved to Maryland and rented a 
mill at Rock Run, which he 0])erated until the 
close of the Revolutionar}' War, when he re- 
turned to Northumberland County and set- 
tled on Chillis(|uaque Creek. He passed his 



remaining days there, dying July 3, 1833; his 
wife passed from this life November 25, 1829. 
The\' were the parents of five sons and seven 
daughters, one of whom was James, the 
grandfather of our subject. 

James Buckalew was one of the pioneer set- 
tlers of Cambria, Luzerne Count}-, I'a.; he 
built a hotel and store and conducted them 
for many years. His hotel was destroyed by 
fire. In company with Mr. Stephens, James 
Buckalew built a section of the Shickshinny 
Canal. He was one of the prosperous busi- 
ness men of his community and at one time 
owned nearl_\- all the land where the town oi 
Cambria is now located. He formed a matri- 
monial alliance with Catherine Jones and they 
reared the lollowing children: John, Elmira, 
Evans, Sally .\nn, Mary, Eli, Elizabeth, and 
Harriet. Mr. Buckalew entered the world of 
rest at the age of eighty years. 

John Buckalew, the father of our subject, 
was reared in Camljria and when he grew to 
manhood took charge of his father's store and 
conducted it for several years. Later he en- 
gaged in the cultivation of the soil and was the 
owner of a fme farm in Fairmount townshij). 
He was joined in wedlock to Rachel Creve- 
ling, a daughter of Samuel Creveling, and the 
following children were reared: Russell C 
the subject of this sketch: .\mos, deceased: 
Sheridan, a faruier; Sarah C, the wife of John 
Robinson, a resident of White Haven, Pa.: 
Evans, who resides in Wilkesbarre, Pa.: Eli, 
deceased, who was a veteran of the Rebellion: 
Samuel S., who is engaged in farming on the 
old homestead: MaryR.; and James M., who 
also resides on the old homestead. Mr. Buck- 
alew died aged sex'enty years. The mother 
of our subject died aged sixty-four vears. 

Russell C. Buckalew was reared on the farm 
and remained under the parental roof until 



720 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



1861, when he answered President Lincohi's 
call for more troops to luit down the Rebell- 
ion, and enlisted in Company F, 7th Rcfj., Pa. 
Reserves. He was mustered out in 1864, after 
serving three years and three days; the prin- 
cipal battles in which our subject participated 
were: the seven-days' engagement which oc- 
curred between Manassas and Washington, 
1). C, August 26, — Se])teml)er i, 1861, in 
which the battles of Second Bull Run and 
('hantilly were fought: i l.-n-per's Ferry; South 
Mountain: and Antietam. He returned home 
in 1871, engaged in business and became ship- 
ping clerk for Dufais (S: Walter, the largest 
cotton brokers in .\'ew \'ork City. He served 
as cotton sani]ilcr, being licensed b\ the New 
York Cotton Fxchange, and held that res|Kin- 
sil)le position until October 1, iX-c), when he 
removed to Pdoomsburg and, with his brother 
Amos, purch;ised the Ricewick li\cr_\- stables. 
He has since become sole proprietor of the 
stables and keei)S a fine assortment of horses 
and carriages, and has both night and day 
service for the acconuuodatinn of his numer- 
ous patrons. His business is conducted in a 
thoroughly systematic manner and Mr. I>uck- 
alew is \ery popular with those who have an 
occasion to deal with him. He also runs a 
bus line to the I)., L. «.\; W. and Reading de- 
pots. 

( )ur subject was joined in lixnien's bonds, 
January 28, 1880, to Mary E. Gager, a daugh- 
ter of Andrew Gager of New York City, and 
three children have blessed their ha])py home: 
Louis Walter; Lillian P.arton: and Raymond 
Gager. Mr. P.uckalew is a member of the (i. 
A. R. and the U. V. L. Our subject has been 
very successful in his business career. He has 
one of the l)est conducted stables in the town, 
he is t)bliging and courteous, and his business 
is rapidi}- increasing. 




^ |TSS MARGARET McCORMICK 
HCLL, One of Milton's most esti- 

i» V^ ^ mable ladies, is a descendant of 
one of the early settlers of Northumberland 
County. She was born in Washingtonville, 
Muntour C\)unt_\ , and is a daughter of the 
late and greatly esteemed Dr. Thomas R. 
iiull, who was born near Milton, in Turbot 
township, I'ebruary ly, 1S13. Her grand- 
father. William llull, (jne of the early settlers 
of Turbot townshi]), Northumberland County, 
Pa., was born in Susse.\ County, N. J., July 

'7. 1771- 

William Hull was a direct descendant of 
iJenjamin I lidl, whom tradition says was a 
I'^renclnnan, who came to America and settled 
in Massachusetts in \(>.\(). Later he went to 
Sussex County, N. J., being among the earli- 
est settlers of that county. His son, Benja- 
min, li\ed near Newton, Hampton township, 
Sussex County, N. J., for many years on the 
farm his father settled; this estate was known 
later as the Bale farm. Benjamin's son, John, 
.settled in \\'allpack township, Sussex County, 
X. J., when his son I'.enjamin was ten years 
old. 

Benj.'unin Hull, son (jf the Benjamin named 
above, resided in Sussex County, N. J., ne.ar 
Newton, and there married Anna Duer. There 
they continued to live, and to them were born 
the following children: Charity (Jones); Nan- 
cy (Bell): Sarah (Kays); Mary (Morris); 
Rhoda (Ryer.son); l^lizabcth (Ryerson); Afar- 
tha (Young); Ruth (Hopkins); John, who 
married Margaret Lantz; Benjamin, who mar- 
ried Elizabeth Case; Phoebe (Warfcsse); \\"\\- 
liam, our subject's grandfather; and Dorcas 
(Price). 

William llull, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, settled in Northumberland County, Pa., 
before 1800, where he married on January 12, 
1797, Hannah Marr, a daughter of Joseph 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



721 



Marr. She was born March 23, 1777, and 
died Fein nary 10, i85(S, survi\ing" her hus- 
Ijuml thirt\- years. They were the parents of 
fourteen cliildrcn, but only nine of these grew 
to maturity. The names of the nine were: 
Susan, who married Samuel McCarthy; Eli- 
zabetli; Jesse; David; Alem; WilHam P.; 
Thomas R., our suliject's father; Sarah A., 
who married J. H. Brown; and Hannaii, who 
married Robert M. Slater. ^W. Hull lived 
near jMilton with his large family on a farm 
now owned by Mr. Grosh, and the buildings 
standing to-day are monuments of his energy 
and industry, and the fine estate which he left 
is an indication of his financial success. 

Dr. Thomas R. Hull, our subject's father, 
was reared on a farm and attended the Milton 
.\cademy. Choosing the profession of medi- 
cine, he became a student under the instruc- 
tion of Drs. James S. Dougal and William 
McCleery, and was graduated from Jefferson 
Medical College in 1838. As Washingtonville, 
Montour County, was a flourishing borough 
and near the place of his nativity, he chose 
that jilace in which to begin his professional 
career. Being thoroughly prepared for his life 
work, and with abilities beyond the average, 
he soon established a reputation second to 
none in the siu'ronnding country, and his 
practice extended for many miles in every di- 
rection. The arduous life of a physician, who 
has a large practice, sooner or later brings ex- 
haustion, and this exhaustion Dr. Hull began 
to feel in i8f)i. when he sold his practice and 
removed to Milton with the intention of re- 
tiring; but, as his services were eagerly 
sought, he would never refuse a call of dis- 
tress so long as he lived. He was a true man. 
His generous, kind and affectionate nature 
won for him many friends, who deeply felt the 
loss of his valuable life when he was taken 
from their nn"dst. During his later vears he 



was financially interested with his son, Wil- 
liam Hull, of Milton, in the coal and grain 
business. Dr. Hull was married, February 23, 
1843, to Elizabeth McCormick, who survived 
her husband several }-ears. They were the par- 
ents of six children, the eldest being our sul)- 
ject, Margaret McCormick, the others being 
as follows: William, now living in Philadel- 
]dna; Alem P. is a physician practicing in 
Montgomery Count}-; Thomas R., of Milton; 
Harry B., an attorney of Grand Rapids, 
Mich.; and Elmer S., a physician who married 
Mary E. Weimer, by whom he has three 
children, — Elmer E., Alem P., and Edwin 
Weimer. 

Miss Afargaret [McCormick Hull lives at 
Milton in the residence purchased by her 
father. Dr. Hull. It was the Hayes property 
and was formerly called the McCurly Hotel. 
which, after being enlarged and improved, 
makes a home worthy of the highly respected 
suliject of this sketch. 




DWIN C. CASWELL, the senior mem- 
ber of E. C. Caswell & Company, one of 
the largest industries of the vicin- 
ity of Bloomsburg, is a son of Whipple and 
Olive Houghton (Blackmar) Caswell, and was 
born in the town of Thompson, Winilham 
County, Conn., July 16, 1838. 

Whipple Caswell was born in Douglas, 
Mass., in 1808, and during his younger days 
followed farming there. In 1852 he located 
at BurrilKille, R. I., where he followed 
farming, for some time, but spent the lat- 
ter years of his life in retirement. He was 
united in marriage to Olive Houghton Black- 
mar, who was born in .\I)ing"ton, Conn., i 



m 



1812. They reared the following children: 
.\lonzo W., of \\'orcester, Mass.; S. Alphon- 



722 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



so, ulio was hniii ill Douglas, Mass., March 8, 
1836, and at twelve years of age entered an 
a])prenticeslii]) in the cotton mills at South- 
hridge, Mass. .\t nineteen years of age he be- 
came overseer in llie woolen mills at Bnrrill- 
xille. R. 1.. and in 1874 entered into partner- 
ship with uur snhject and George and William 
\'oungman. They leased the Xippenose Mills 
at -Antes Fort, I.ycoming C'onnty. I'a., and 
ran them for eight years. AI])lionso and Ed- 
»vin C. ("aswell then established the Blooms- 
buig Wixilen Mills. They took in their broth- 
er, Marcus, who died one year later. Aliihon- 
so continued with the firm tmtil his death. 
July 6, 1887: the remainrler of the family 
were: Edwin C"., the subject of this ])ersonai 
history; \\"hip])le. Jr.. of Adams. Mass.. who 
died in January, i8y8; Jerome, of Fort 
Wayne, Ind.; Osborne, of Dayville, Conn.; 
I'Aerett. deceased; Marcus, deceased, who left 
a wife, Mary (Antes), and a son, Carlton A., 
who has charge of the second floor of our 
subject's ])lant; and I'.nnna, who li\'es with 
her brother. Carlton A., a son of Marcus and 
Mary (Antes) Caswell, after graduating from 
the BloomsJ)iu"g High School attended the 
Textile School of riiiladclphia. graduating at 
the head of his class and winning first prize, a 
gold medal, for the general excellency of his 
work. He later took a thorough course in 
l'.ilm"s business College of Philadelphia, grad- 
uating in December, 1897, and has since had 
charge of the weaving and designing depart- 
ment for E. C. Caswell i*v: Company. Mr. 
Whi])ple Caswell, the father of oiu" subject, 
was called to his final resting place at the age 
of eighty-two years, his wife having preceded 
him mail}' years, dying at the age of sixty- 
nine. 

I'ldwin C. Caswell attended the common 
schools until he was nine years of age, when 
he received his first instructions in the cotton 



mills at Woodstock, Conn., as a mule boy. .\t 
the age of fourteen years he began work in the 
woolen mills of Burrillvillc, R. I., where he 
learned the art of weaving fancy cassimeres 
and later became designer, in the meantime 
attending school at intervals until he was six- 
teen years old. lie followed his trade in Mass- 
achusetts and Rhode Island until 1868 when 
he accepted a position as boss weax'er and de- 
signer at Johnstown, Pa., being the most skill- 
hil workman in that line in the state. He 
again returned to Massachusetts where he 
held several prominent positions until 1874, 
w hen he and his brother formed a jjartnership 
and established a factory at .Antes Fort, Pa., 
continuing until iSSj when they mo\ed to 
Bloomsbin\gh and established the plant of 
which Mr. Caswell is at the head. They erect- 
ed a structure, 34 by 124 feet, three stories 
high, with ;i boiler and engine-room 2C> by 36 
feet, at a cost of $15,000. The mill was fitted 
w ith the latest machinery for the manufacture 
of fancy dress goods, at a cost of $30,000. 
I'orty skilled laborers ;ire employed the year 
round, and XX merino wool is all that is used. 
After the death of our subject's brother, the 
present firm of K. C. Caswell & Co. was or- 
ganized. E. C. Caswell and J. M. Staver, be- 
ing the memljers. There are three sets of 
cards, 1.260 s]iindles, and fourteen looms. 
September 30, 1896, at i a. m.. the third floor 
of the Iniilding was carried away by a tornado, 
completely destroying the niachiner\- and 
causing a loss of ,$8,000. Ten days pre\ious- 
I_v 1. 000 of the window lights had been broken 
by a hail storm, but in s])ite of all misfortune, 
only two months' work were lost. The busi- 
ness is now in a ])i"os])erous condition. The 
mill employs sixty hands, in 1888 the firm 
began to manufacture all-wool cassimeres 
which are shipjicd directly to their wholesale 
house in Xew York Citv, from whence thcv 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



723 



are shipped to all points in the United States. 
Mr. Caswell resides in a heautiful residence 
at the corner of West and Fifth streets, whioli 
lie built a short time ago. Socially he was a 
Mason while in Massachusetts, and is now 
a member of La Belle Valley Lodge No. 232, 
V. & .-\. M. of Jersey Shore, Pa. 




AMUEL J.VSON PEALER. a civil 
engineer and surveyor of good repute, 
who resides at Asbury, Fishing Creek 
township, Columbia County, Pa., is a veteran 
of the Civil War, in which he ser\ed with 
great credit to himself and to his famil_\-, who 
justly look at his recoril with i)ri(le. He is a 
man of tried business ability, and stands high 
in his community. He is a son of Samuel and 
Mary (Sheidy) Pealer, and was born Januar}' 
18, 1833. Our subject is of English and Ger- 
man descent, and the family name was origi- 
nally spelled in two ways, Peale and Beale, but 
later it was altered to Pealer and Bealer. 

Paul Pealer, the grandfather of our subject, 
was a resident of Berks County and a soldier 
of the Revolutionary W^ar, serving in the Con- 
tinental Army until the close of that straggle. 
He then returned to his home in Berks Coun- 
ty, where he lived until his demise. 

Samuel Pealer, the father of our subject, 
was born in Reading, Pa., in 1787, and early 
in life settled in Columbia County, where he 
bought a large tract of land. Having pre- 
viously learned the trade of a millwright, he 
erected a mill on his property, which was lo- 
cated near Jonestown, and there followed that 
line of work in connection with farming for 
many years. Several years prior to his death 
he leased his farm to his eldest son and then 
purchased a small property in Fishing Creek 
township, where his wife died. While mak- 



ing a visit to his daughter in Iowa he passed 
away, in 1854, at the age of si.xt)-eight years. 
In politics he was originally a Democrat, then 
a supporter of Henry Clay and the Whig par- 
ty, and finally a Republican. He was joined 
in marriage to Mary Sheidy of Luzerne Coun- 
ty, Pa., and they liecame the parents of the 
following chiklren: Paul, Peter, David, Levi, 
George, Mary, Catherine, Barbara, lilizaljeth, 
Sevilla, Margaret, and Samuel Jason, the sub- 
ject of this review. Paul Pealer had four .sons, 
as follows: Lsaac K., who enlisted in 1861 in 
the 1st N.\'. Dragoons, anil was killed instant- 
ly by a bullet which struck him in the forehead 
at the battle of Cold Harbor; S. L., who also 
served in the ist N. Y. Dragoons and was shot 
in the head at Winchester; Frank :\., who 
was in Company E, 209th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., 
and was wounded in the thigh at Bermuda 
Hundred; and S. F., who was orderly ser- 
geant of Company A, 198th Reg., Pa. Vol. 
Inf. Peter, second son of Samuel and Mary 
Pealer, was a resident of Fishing Creek town- 
ship. His son, Oscar, served in Company F, 
209th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was taken pris- 
oner at Bermuda Hundred, dying of starva- 
tion and inhuman treatment in Salisbury Pris- 
on, N. C. David, third son of Samuel and Mary 
Pealer, who resides at Wyoming, Iowa, was 
mustered into service July 22, 1861, by Maj. 
Wood at Lafayette, Ind., in Company E, 20th 
Reg., Ind. Vol. Inf.. and participated in the 
following battles: Flood Hatter's Inlet, No- 
vember 2. 1861; the engag-ement between the 
Monitor and Merrimac, March 8th and 9th, 
1862; the Seven Days' battle before Rich- 
mond, near Fair Oak^, Va., June 19, 1862; 
Glendale, June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, July 
I, 1862; Second Battle of Bull Run, August 
29 and 30, 1862; Chantilly, September, 1862; 
Fredericksburg, December 11, 12 and 13, 
1862; Cedars, May 12, 1863; Gettysburg, 



724 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



July 2,- 3, and 4, 1863; and he then served 
in the sante regiment with the Army of tlie 
Potomac until the close of the war, coming 
out at the end with but three slight wounds, 
which he received during his entire service. 
He served with that (li\ision of the army from 
the battle of Petersburg to the surrender of 
Lee's .Army, and was mustered out at .\rling- 
ton Heights in 1S65. T,e\'i. fourth son of 
Samuel, lives in b'ishing Creek township. 
George died young. M;ii-y, the widow of Ja- 
cob Pender, resiiles in Inwa. Catherine is the 
wife of Poberl McCalnioinil, and resides in 
Iowa. Parbara died in Iowa. Elizabeth is the 
wife of John P.eishline of h-ishing Creek town- 
shij). Se\illa died unmarried. Margaret, de- 
ceased, was the wife of Peter i'"\elan(I of l-'isli- 
ing Creek tow nship. 

Samuel J. Pealer was reared cjn his father's 
farm and lived with his parents until his fath- 
er's death in 1845, when he moved to Asbury 
and lived \\ith his sister Margaret. He re- 
ceived his education in the conmion schools of 
Fishing Creek township, at New Columbus 
Academy, and also took a s])ecial course in 
higher mathematics under the prixate tutor- 
shij) of Prof. A. L. Johnson of Lancaster, Pa. 
At the age of sixteen years he became a teach- 
er, continuing as such for two years, when 
he took u]) field work under William Bucka- 
lew. 

I''or tin-ee _\ears our subject was employed 
on government work in Minnesota, and on 
July I, 1863, he was commissioned second 
lieutenant of a company of emergency men 
under Ca])t. R. F. Clark. He also did special 
work at the time of the Rebel invasion in 
1864 for Maj.-Gen. Cadwallader and Maj.- 
Gen. Conch, also under the orders of Gen. 
Albright. He later enlisted in Company E, 
209th Reg., Pa. \'^ol. Inf., and was shortly 
after detailed as recruiting ofiicer, with the 



rank of second lieutenant, serving also as 
judge-advocate. He recruited three compan- 
ies and was appointed captain of Company A, 
74th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., which he joined at 
Green Spring Run, Va. He was a man of 
great po])ularil\" in bis regiment and was sid)- 
sequentl}' chosen major, receiving twenty-four 
out of a possible twenty-seven votes, and held 
that rank until the close of the war. Upon 
returning to his home at .Asbury Air. Pealer 
taught school and, in addition, engaged as a 
surveyor and civil engineer, the latter of 
w bicb has been bis occupation up to the pres- 
ent day. He was for a time employed by the 
Pennsylvania Coal Company and has also 
done the chief work and engineering for the 
.^alem C'oal Company. Since 1895 he has been 
largel}' engaged in surveying about 80,000 
acres of land in \\^est Virginia, in Pocahontas 
and Randoljih counties. His efforts have been 
attended by good results and he stands among 
the first business men of Asbury. He is a man 
of honor and integrity and is highly esteemed 
by all. 

( )n January 18, 1862, our subject was united 
in marriage with Samantha C. Coleman, a 
daughter of Cornelius Coleman of Asburx', 
who was born Alarcli 19, 1838, and they are 
the parents of eight children: Alice M., the 
wife of Ezra A. Chapman, a resident of Hun- 
tington, Luzerne County; Lizzie C, the wife 
of George Vanliew; Stewart, who died in in- 
fancy; Woodin; Ella Eva; Robert Samuel; 
Charles Revere; and Blanche Florence S. 
Air. Pealer is a Republican in politics and 
actively' supports the ])rinciples of his party. 
Socially he is a member of Alountain Lodge, 
No. 264, I. O. O. F., of Orangeville, Pa. In 
religious attachments both he and his wife are 
faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church at Asbur>', and he is recording stew- 
ard of the Orangeville charge. For eight 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



725 



}'ears he was superintendent of the Sunday 

School and at tlic present time is assistant su- 
perintendent. 




(^t V.XKY I'.ROW'X, an nilelligent and 
prosperous farmer of Forks townsliip, 
Sullivan County, Pa., is a man of 
i^reat industry who has attained success 
through his own inih\idual efforts. He is a 
son of John and Ann Brown, and was horn in 
Forks township, July 22, 1844, on the family 
homestead on Loyalsock Creek. 

John Brown, the father of our suhject, came 
from England in the early 40's and took up a 
large tract of land in the valley of the Loyal- 
sock. There he fought the hattles of the pio- 
neer with nature and fortune and succeeded 
in wresting from the shadowy w^ilderness 
many acres of rich land. Shortly after locat- 
ing in Forks township he huilt a log house and 
harn, hoth of which were replaced by frame 
buildings in or aljout i860, which were swept 
away by the largest and most disastrous flood 
ever known on the creek. Undaunted liy this 
loss, however, John Brown again erected a 
house and barn. He dealt extensively in Inm- 
iier, doing a very large custom business. He 
died in 1S54, his wife Iia\ing passed awa\- 
many years previous. Their children were: 
Charles, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; and 
Henry, our subject. Mr. Brown was a Demo- 
crat in politics and in his religious views he 
was inclined to be liberal. 

Henry Brown was reared ami educated in 
Forks township, taking advantage of all op- 
portunities which enaliled him to better him- 
self intellectually. He has always been en- 
gaged in agricultural pursuits on his present 
place and being most industrious and pains- 
taking he has been successful. He owns a 
tract of forty acres of the levelest land in Sulli- 



van County, his farm being part of liis father's 
original |)nrchase. Mr. Tinnvn has-never left 
the ranks of single-blessedness, but is content 
to till his fields and enjoy the tranquillity of 
rural life alone. His household affairs are 
looked after by the wife of his deceased broth- 
er, Charles, whose maiden name was Mary 
Sherman and who resided in Overton before 
her marriage. Politically Mr. Brown is an un- 
swer\-ing supporter of the Democratic p.irty. 
He is a man of great popularity among his 
neighbors and has manv friends. 




H.L1AM E. KEARNEY, dealer in 
real estate in Shamokin and Coal 
townships, and justice of the peace 
of Shamokin, has led a remarkably busy life 
and is a self-made man. He was born Janu- 
ary II, 1859, in Trevorton, Northumberland 
County. Pa., and was educated in the public 
schools of Shamokin. While a youth he be- 
gan his career, as many of his companions did, 
l)y working at the breaker as a slate-picker. 
He followed that and other occupations in 
and about the mines until he reached man- 
hood, when he engaged in mining, working 
as a miner for a period of two years. Al- 
though mining was a useful and remunera- 
tive occupation it did not altogether suit our 
subject's fancy, and, as he also wished to see 
something of the world, in August, 1881, he 
went to New York City to seek employment 
more suited to his tastes. Soon after his ar- 
rival in New York he apprenticed himself to 
learn the barber's trade, discovering in a very 
short time that he had much natural talent in 
that direction, and during his two years' stay 
in New York he not only mastered the ton- 
sorial art but also learned the associate art of 
hair dressing and manufacturing hair jewelry, 



726 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



wigs, etc. After becoming thoroughly pro- 
ficient he returned to his native county and 
started in 1)usiness for himself at Shamokin, 
wliere he now has a large hair-dressing estab- 
lislnnent, manufacturing wigs and all kinds of 
hair jewelry, including such articles as ladies' 
and gentlemen's watchguards, breastpins, 
bracelets, finger rings, earrings, and various 
other kinds of ornaments, together with hair 
flowers, wreaths, crosses, and manv other 
beautiful designs in hair work. Mr. Kearney 
is truly master of iliis art and takes especial 
|)ride in this biancli of his business, conscien- 
tiousl}- filling all onlers entrusted to him with 
such fine workmanshi]) that his ability is 
easily recognized. He has found this lousiness 
to be not only a pleasure to him but very 
profitable, as one max judge i)v tlie large 
amomit of real estate which he owns in the 
town of Shamokin and Coal townshi]). In the 
fall of i8(j(S he acceifted the contract from 
Shamokin borough to ])ave its principal 
thoroughfare. Independence street, with 
Mack paving blocks, the amount involved ap- 
proximating $20,000. 

In March, 1889, our subject, with his broth- 
er, M. A. Kearney, and W. E. Deibert organ- 
ized the Shamokin Lock & Novelty Manufac- 
turing Company. 

Since his election as justice of the peace in 
1890 and his subse<|uent re-elections to the 
same office, our subject has dealt largely in 
real estate, buying and selling not only for 
others but for his own profit, thus acquiring 
\aluable realty interests both in town and 
countr}' proper!}'. Mr. Kearney is a true 
Democrat of the Jacksonian type and takes 
an active interest in all the local, state, and 
national conventions held by his party. He 
was delegate to the con\ention that nomin- 
ated Jenks for governor of Pennsylvania, and 
one of the alternates to the ctinvenlion which 



nominated Polk for Congress against H. E. 
Davis, another prominent candidate for nom- 
ination. 

Patrick Kearney, grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was a nati\e of County Mayo, Ireland, 
^lathew Kearney, son of Patrick Kearnev and 
father of our subject, was also born in Ireland, 
whence he emigrated to America, May 
2, 1847, accompanied by his mother, 
wife and three sisters. He first located 
in Clintonville, Mass., d)ut shortly after- 
ward moved to the anthracite coal regions of 
Pennsylvania, first locating in Luzerne Coun- 
t\-, then Carlion County, then, in 1850, at 
Trevorton, Northumberland County, and fin- 
ally in 1865 he located permanently in Sham- 
okin. He was a miner and contractor, — 
driving tunnels in connection with the mining 
of coal. He had the reputation of Ijeing an 
expert, and drove many of the large tunnels 
in the early development of the coal industry 
about Shamokin. Politically he was a Dem- 
ocrat and was tax collector of the borough 
of Shamokin at the time of his death, which 
occurred October 31, 1870. His widow, Ann 
(Devitt) Kearney, sur\ived him for nearly 
nineteen years, i)assing from life to eternal rest 
March 2^. 1889. They were the parents of 
ele\en children, the following six of whom 
are still li\ing: Matliew .\., who owns a mod- 
ern hotel in Shamokin and receives a liberal 
share of ])ublic ])atronage; William E., the 
sul)ject of this sketch: Daniel, a skilled detec- 
tive on the Chicago ])olice force where he has 
served for twelve years; Annie, now the be- 
loved wife of J. E. McLaughlin of Pottsville, 
Pa.; James J., a successful attorney-at-law at 
Shamokin; Bridget, an accomplished young 
lady of Pottsville, Pa. 

On April 28, 1892, our subject was united 
in marriage with IMargaret Sweeney, a charm- 
ing and accomplished young lady, and their 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



729 



home is made happy by the presence of three 
children: Mathew \\*ilfred A.; Daniel Web- 
ster; and Alary Margaret Adela. 




ATTHEW TAYLOR. The Taylor 
family is classed among- the pioneer 
families of Snllivan County, Pa., 
and its members have contributed their full 
share toward the county's prosperity and de- 
velopment. The gentleman whose biography 
we write, and whose portrait is presented on a 
preceding page, is a representative of this 
l)rosperous and energetic family and was born 
in Shrewsbur_\- township, Nox'ember 12, 1833; 
his parents were James and Delia (Edkin) 
Taylor and his grandfather, Robert Taylor. 

Robert Taylor was the first of this promi- 
nent family to settle in Sulli\-an Count}-, ha\-- 
ing located there in 1803; he formerly resided 
at Warrior Run, Northumberland County, 
Pa., and was a life-long farmer. His wife was 
Elizal)cth Mayes. 

James Taylor, father of our subject, was 
also born in Shrewsbury township, Sullivan 
County, and resided there all his life. He 
carried on farming in Shrewsljury and l^avid- 
son townships and also ownetl a saw-mill and 
was one of the prosperous lumbermen of his 
coninnuiity. He departed from this life Aug- 
ust 31, 1870. His wife, Delia Edkin, was also 
a nati\e of Shrewsbury township, Sullivan 
County, and they were the parents of a fam- 
ily of five children, namely: Matthew; Al- 
fred, deceased; Katie, who is the wife of James 
Stroup, whose biography may be found else- 
where in this book; Sarah Jane, who died 
aged twehe years; and Margaret Jane, who 
died aged eighteen years. 

Alatthcw Tavlor was educated in the district 



schools of Shrewsbury township and reared to 
agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. He 
has always followed farniing in Shrewsbury 
township and in March, 1870, he took charge 
of his present fine farm wliich consists of 174 
acres. He is regarded as one of the most 
progressive and industrious farmers of Sulli- 
van County. Our subject is ably assisted in 
carrying on the farm by his son George. 

Mr. Taylor and Sarah Ann Richarts were 
united in matrimonial bonds September 10, 
1862. She was born in Davidson township, 
Sullivan County, November 27, 1844, and is 
a daughter of David and Louisa (Weaver) 
Richarts, both now deceased; her father was 
a stonemason a>id shoemaker by trade. A 
family of si.K children was l)orn to Mr. and 
Mrs. Tavlor. namely: Laura I., who wedded 
Lloyd V. Buckholder, a wagonmaker of 
Muncy Valley, Pa., and they are the parents 
of eight children, — Dora May, Lulu Maria, 
Eveline, Josie Alice, Charles Matthew, Sarah 
Helen, Jessie Lillian, and Dorothy; James; 
Margaret J., wife of Delanson Poust, a far- 
mer near Hughesville, Lycoming County, Pa., 
and four children have blessed their home, — 
Elwell, Seeley Jane, Garrett Lindsay, and 
Clarence; George S., born October 8, 1867, 
married Eleanor Craft, born November 5, 
1874, and Charles Leroy and Sarah Ethel have 
been born to them, the latter dying Decem- 
ber 17, 1898; Anna, who married Samuel Su- 
cules, a farmer of Shrewsbury township, Sul- 
livan County, and they have three children, — 
Myrtle, Hurley Rayniond, and Arthur Jen- 
nings; and Clyde W., a farmer of Hughesville, 
Pa., who married Martha J. Kahler. Politi- 
cally Mr. Taylor is a Democrat and for the 
past four years has served as ta.x-collector of 
Shrewsbury township. Religiously he favors 
the Baptist Church. The Taylor family al- 
wavs has been well known and esteemed for 



73() 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Iionesty of purpose and higli moral principles, 
whicli traits of character have been trans- 
mitted to its descendants, of whom Matthew 
Tavlor is one of the most honored. 




I.IAS SW'ARTZ MILL1-:R, superintend- ! 
ent of llie Danville \\'ater Works, which 
is one of Danville's latest and 
most .successful improvements, is recog^nized 
as one of the valueil residents of that borough, 
and is held in high esteem by his fellow-citi- 
zens. He was born in Danville borough. No- 
vember II. 1844. and is a son of William G. 
and Martlia (Walker) Miller, and a grandson 
of George Miller. 

George Miller, the grandfather of our sub- 
ject, was born in Lancaster County, Pa. His 
father, wliose name is unknown to the pres- 
ent generation, located in that county at an 
early date, being the first sheriff of the county. 
George Miller learned the trade of a gun- 
smith: he purchased a residence and shop 
where the opera-house now stands, and there 
followed his chosen occupation until his death 
in 1842. at the age of sixty-five years. He was 
united in marriage with Sarah B. Myers, and 
they became the parents of nine children, 
namely: John. Elizabeth, William G., Mar- 
garet. Levi. Mary, George, Julia Ann, and 
Jacob H. The grandmother of our subject 
passed from this life at the age of eighty-five 
years. 

William G. Miller, the father of our subject, 
was born in Lancaster, Pa., and his boyhood 
days were spent in his father's gunshop, where 
he learned the trade of a gunsmith, which oc- 
cupation he followed in Danville all his life. 
He built a neat little home, which is now the 
home of Mrs. Rebecca Hess. Mr. Miller was 
wediled to Martha Walker, a daughter of 
ivobert Walker and a native of County Derry, 



Ireland. .\s a result of this union the follow- 
ing children were bom, ten of whom are now 
living: Sarah B.: Robert C; William H.; 
Joseph W.: Elias Swartz, our subject; Mary 
Jane; Luther, deceased; James S.; ^laria B.; 
Martha A.; Isaliella B.; and Emma. Mr. 
Miller de])arte(l from this life in 1882, aged 
.seventy-three years and six months; his wife 
died at the age of seventy-seven years. 
I Elias Swartz Miller ac(iuired a good educa- 
tion in the public schools and then worked in 
the gun-shop owned by his father until his 
eyes failed him. He then worked at various 
jobs until the water works was established in 
1873 when he was appointed assistant super- 
intendent, in 1883 he was appointed super- 
intendent, which position he held until 1889, 
when he began to work as a mechanic in the 
nail mills of that town. In 1891 he returned 
to his former position as superintendent of the 
water works and has since filled that responsi- 
ble ])Osition to the entire satisfaction of his 
superior officers and the citizens of Danville. 
Up to 1872 Danville had only wells and 
springs with which to sujjply water, but in 
that year a committee com])osed of the fol- 
lowing gentlemen was appointed to thor- 
oughly investigate various water-supply sys- 
tems: George W. Wray, J. W. Sweisfort, 
William Buckley, and M. D. L. Sechler. These 
gentlemen decided upon the Holly Company's 
system, and accordingly, in 1878 or 1879. a 
large tank, 50 feet long. /\ feet wide, and 10 
feet deep, was sunk in the Susquehanna River. 
In 1884 another tank with the following di- 
mensions. 46 feet long. ~l feet wide, and 7J 
feet deep, was sunk, and the water is pumped 
from these tanks into a Morrison-Jewell Fil- 
ter. The works also has a storage tank with a 
capacity of 98,000 gallons of filtered water. 
In the engine-room are three Worthington 
pumps, two of which pump the water from the 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



731 



two large tanks into a receiving tank, and 
the third pumps the water through the pipes 
into all parts of the borough. There are i,6oo 
hydrants for family use; io6 double fire hy- 
drants: and the D., L. & \V. R. R. and a 
number of manufacturing plants are also sup- 
plied with water. The officers of the Water 
Works Company are: R. K. Polk, president; 
F. C. Angle and C. P. Harder, commissioners; 
E. S. Miller, superintendent; Jacob Byerly 
and Angus Wright, engineers: E. E. Bell 
and George Holligan, tiremen. 

Mr. Miller was united in the bonds of mat- 
rimony with Esther R. Barr, a daughter of 
Washington P. Barr of Danville. She died at 
the age of twenty-seven years, leaving one 
child. Laura M. Our subject formed a second 
marital union with Sarah C. Foust. a daugh- 
ter of Daniel Foust of Mahoning township, 
Montour County. He is a member and past 
master of Mahoning Lodge Xo. 516. F. & A. 
M.: past high priest of Danville Chapter 
Xo. 239, H. R. A.; and past eminent com- 
mander of Calvary Commandery X'o. t^j, 
K. T. 

/PTeORGE W. keeper. The gentle- 
\ C5 I man whose name appears at the head 
of this sketch is an extensive con- 
tractor of Sunbury, X'orthumberland County, 
where he has resided for many years and for 
whose interests he has worked with the un- 
tiring energy and zeal that characterizes the 
man. He has been closely identified with all 
enterprises having for their ultimate end the 
advancement of the borough, and is looked 
upon as one of her progressive citizens and 
held in high esteem by the whole community. 
He is a son of George and Elizabeth (Weiserj 
Keefer, and was born in what was then Lower 
Augusta township, now Rockefeller, Xorth- 
umberland County, April 22, 1845. 



His paternal grandfather, a native of Oley 
township, Berks County, at an early age came 
to Shamokin township, Xorthumberland 
County, bringing his wife and two children. 
He was engaged in agricultural pursuits there 
the remainder of his life, and became a verj' 
prosperous man. He was the progenitor of 
four sons and four daughters, namely: Daniel: 
George, the father of our subject; John; Pe- 
ter; Catharine; Mollie: Elizabeth; and Han- 
nah. They are all now deceased. 

George Keefer was born in Oley township. 
Berks County, in 1796. and was but eight 
years of age when he moved to Shamokin 
township with his father. There he grew to 
manhood and after his marriage moved to 
Lower August"a township, near Lantz's 
Church, where he was successfully engaged in 
farming and milling until 1864. At that time 
he disposed of his grist mill, but continued at 
farming until his death, which occurred Oc- 
tober 16, 1879, at the advanced age of eighty- 
three years. He was a very prominent man 
in the political atifairs of the section, and his 
advice was very much sought in party coun- 
cils. He was affiliated with the Democratic 
party, and was called upon to serve in many 
of the township offices. Religiously, he was 
a faithful member of Lantz's German Re- 
formed Church, which he helped to build and 
of which he was trustee and elder for many 
vears. He twice took the marriage vows, his 
first wife being Mary Lantz. by whom he was 
the father of five children: Samuel: Peter: 
Margaret; Hannah; and Man,- ^L His sec- 
ond union was with Elizabeth Weiser. and 
they became the happy parents of six chiklren, 
whose names are as follows: Catherine: 
George \\'., the subject of this biographical 
sketch; Philip W. : John S. ; Jennie: and 
Lucv A. 



732 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



George W. Keefer was intellectually pre- 
prirod for the duties of life in the public 
schools of Lower .Aufjusta township, and was 
reared on the farm. In 1865, at the age of 
iweiUx years, he embarked in the mercantile 
business in Lower Augusta township, where 
he continued for two years. He then located 
at llerndon for a ])eriod of two years, and in 
\H()i) nio\ed to Sunbnry, where he followed 
a similar line of business for five years. Since 
1S74 he has been engaged in contracting and 
building, lie is an energetic worker and has 
built m;niy large |)ublic buildings, bridges 
for the county and railroads, ami many priv- 
ate residences, always fulfilling the contracts 
to the letter, and in such a maimer as to gain 
the ap])ro\al of his employers. His business 
has grown to a great extent, and at times he 
gives employment to a large number of men. 
In 1896 the Sunbury Mutual Life Lisurance 
t'oinpany was organized, and he has since 
been its ])resident. The remaining officers of 
the company are: George B. Cadwallader, 
vice-president; Amos Bloom, secretary; Uri- 
as Bloom, treasurer; and P. C. Oberdorf, 
agent. He is a man whose honesty and 
straightforwardness ha\e never been ques- 
tioned, and he is alike popular with his em- 
ployers and fellow citizens, who esteem him as 
a man of great worth to the community. 

In his iiolitical belief, Mr. Keefer is a stanch 
Leniocrat, and has ser\-ed in an official capac- 
ity as burgess three terms, and in the council 
a number of times. He is also president of 
the board of trade and has held the position 
since its organization in 1891. Socially he is 
a member of Shamokin Lodge No. 255, F. 
& A. M. In his religious attachments he 
is a member of the German Reformed Church. 
On December 16, 1878, Mr. Keefer was unit- 
ed in marriage with Belle M. Zeigler, a daugh- 
ter of George W. Zeigler, Esq., who was a 



prominent attorney-at-law of Sunbury, but 
has been li\ing in retirement since 1895. 

Mr. Zeigler was born at tJettysburg, Adams 
County, I'a., May 24, 1819, and is a son of 
George and Gertrude Elizabeth (Chritzmaii) 
Zeigler. His grandfather was Emanuel Zeig- 
ler, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, whose 
home was at Gettysburg, where he followed 
the trade of a hatter. George Zeigler, the 
father of (ieorge W'., was also born at Gettys- 
burg, and there jilied the trade of a hatter. 
For some years he served as i)rothonotar\- of 
Adams County. He subseciuentK' nioxed to 
Daujjliin County, near the city of Harrisburg, 
where he spent the remainder of his life, and 
at one time was elected register and recorder 
of the County. In jiolitical belief he was a 
Democrat. He was a soldier of the War of 
1812. He was joined in wedlock with Gert- 
rude Elizabeth Chritzmaii, by whom he had 
seven children, six sons and one daughter. 
Mrs. Zeigler was born in Germany, and died 
at the age of seventy-five years in Butler 
County, Pa., where she was living with one 
of her sons. 

(jcorge ^^^ Zelgler was intellectually ec|uip- 
ped for the battles of life in the public schools 
of GettN'slnirg, after which he learned the 
printer's trade in the establishment of the old 
Gettysburg Com])iler. He thereafter located 
at Butler and engaged in the printing business 
with a brother, but later entered upon the 
study of law in the office of Samuel A. and 
John N. Pervian of that town. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar at the age of twenty-two 
years, and practiced at Butler for two years, 
when he removed to Jefferson County. His 
career there was one of unceasing activity 
and he acquired an extensive practice, in fact 
his duties became so onerous that his health 
was impaired, and he moved to Selinsgrove, 
where he practiced for two years. He then 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



733 



moved to Siinbui y, wliere lie 1)ccanie a lawyer 
of recognized ability and cared for a large 
clientage until 1895, when he retired on ac- 
count of his advanced years. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics, and was elected to the State 
Legislature in 1854. being returned to that 
body in 1855 and 1861. 

On December 27, 1838, Mr. Zeigler was 
married to Mary A. McOuistion in Butler, 
Pa., and they became the parents of tlie fol- 
lowing offspring: Isabel, the wife of our sub- 
ject; Joseph, superintendent of the Adiron- 
dacks Railroad; Gertrude E., the wife of P. P. 
Smith; J. Walter; George, who died in 1860 
at the age of thirteen years; and I'-dgar, who, 
died in inf;nicy. Mrs. Zeigler died Septem- 
ber 5, J 889, at the age of sixty-nine years, 
eleven months and fi\e days. Socially Mr. 
Zeigler is a member of Sunl)ury Lodge No. 
22. F. & A. AL; and of the Odd* Fellow 
Lodge. Religiously he is an adherent to the 
faith of the Presl)vterian Church. 



GEORGE F. KEEFER. surveyor of the 
borough of Sunbury, and a citizen in high 
standing, is a son of Peter and Amelia (Haas) 
Keefer, and was born in L'i)per .Vugusta 
township, Northumberland County, Pa., 
.August 10, 1864. He is a grandson of George 
and iMarv (Lantz) Keefer, .-ind his ancestral 
history will be found in the foregoing sketch 
of his uncle, George W. Keefer. 

Peter Keefer, the father of our subject, was 
born in Lower Augusta township March 3, 
1838, and has lived in that and L'pper Au- 
gusta township all his life. He is an extensive 
contractor, making a specialty of bridge build- 
ing, but early in life he was engaged in the 
mercantile business for a period of ten years, 
beginning at the age of about eighteen years. 
I le then began contracting, and fur more than 



thirty years has followed that line of business 
with good results. He is a man of good busi- 
ness ability, and his career has been a most 
industrious one. Politically he is a Democrat, 
and, although not active in the workings of 
the party, has been school director at odd 
times. In religions attachments he is a de- 
vout member of the Reformed Church. He 
was joined in marriage with .\melia Haas, and 
they reared one child, George F., an account 
of whose life follows. 

George V. Keefer was reared in Upper .Vu- 
gusta townshi]). and obtained his mental train- 
ing in the jnihlic schools of East Sunburx-, 
completing the i)rescribed course, lie sub- 
sci|nentl\ tonk uj) a course of stnd\' in lluek- 
nell Ccjllege ;it Lewisbnrg, Pa., fmm which 
he was graduated in June. i.SXl). During a 
part of the time in school, he was engaged in 
teaching, ;uid after his graduation he contin- 
ued for some time. — a period of se\en jears 
in all. He then took up the subject of civil 
engineering and surveying, and gained nuich 
practical experience during the four years he 
spent as a member of a corps engaged in that 
line of work. In 1890 he embarked in busi- 
ness on his own account, and establisheil .-in 
enviable rei)utation as a ci\il engineer ;md sur- 
veyor. I'^mr \ears later he was a|)pointed to 
act in that capacity for the borough of Smi- 
bnrw and he is now serving his fourth consec- 
utive vear as such. He is a business m.'ui of 
the first class, shrewd, enteri)rising, and a 
hard worker, and aside from the duties of his 
official position he has a good patronage. He 
has a large circle of acquaintances throughout 
the county, with whom he is very popular. 

Mr. Keefer was united in marriage, in 1895, 
with Ella R. Kuebler of Rockefeller townshiii, 
and they have one son, Paul Frederick. So- 
ci.alh- he is a mem])cr of the B. P. O. E. 



734 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



OHN LYMAN RICHARDSON, east- 
tin agent for tlie Weathervvax Manu- 
•■^:2/ factuiing Company of San Francisco, 
Cal., and an enterprising l)usiness man of 
Bloomsljnrg, was Ixjrn in W'averly, Pa., and 
is a son of John L. and Catherine (Heermans) 
i-iiohardson. 

Amos Richardson nuist lia\e come to Xew 
England before 1640. W'c lind he was in 
Boston as early as 1045. but he was doubt- 
less there several years before, lie is de- 
scribed as a merchant tailor, and was a man 
of great respectability and good taste. After 
the departure of Stephen W'inthrop, the gov- 
ernor's son, for England in 1041, he was agent 
for him in New England, as he afterwards 
was for his brother jdlni W'inthrop. the first 
governor of Connecticut after the charter. 
With Dean W'inthrop and others he was one 
of the original grantees of Groton, Conn., 
thnugh he ne\er went there to live. He was 
a man of strong convictions and determined 
energy and will, with a good deal of original 
talent, kind hearted, but never submitted to 
a wrong \\itlii>ut an effort to secure the right. 
He died at .Stouington, Coim., ^August 5, 
1683. Stephen Richardson, third son of 
Amos Richardson, was born in Boston, June 
14, 1652. He was a man of character and 
influence and lived and died in Stonington, 
Conn. Amos Richardson, second son of 
Stephen Richardson, \\;is born in 1 08 1 . He 
settled in Coventry, Conn. Nathan Richard- 
son, eldest son of .\mus Richardson, was 
born March 20, 1725. Nathan Richardson, 
fifth son of Nathan Richardson, was born at 
Coventry, Conn., October 27, 1760, and re- 
moved to Manchester, Vt., about 1780, and 
from there to near I'urlington, Chittenden 
County, Vt., where he soon after died. He 
was an upright Christian man. William P. 
Jiichardson, son of Nathan Richardson, was 



born at Manchester, Vt., July 22, 1784. In 
his early childhood he developed more than 
ordinary a])tness to learn and e.Kcelled as a 
reader. During the period of his life few men 
of his ])osition were oftener called upon to 
read in ])ublic. In the Congregational 
Church, of which he was a member, regular 
service at that time was always held on the 
Sabbath in the absence of the minister. On 
such occasions — .and tlie\ occurred hundreds 
of times during his life-time — Mr. Ivichardson 
was invariably called upon 1)\' one of the dea- 
cons to conduct the service and to stand in 
tile i)ul])it and read a sermon to the congre- 
gation, hor weeks, and sometimes months, 
lie served the church in this way in the ab- 
sence of the ])astor. He studied theology un- 
der the instruction of the J\ev. Ebenezer 
Kingsbwry (the grandfather of E. P. Kings- 
bury, of Scranton), pastor of the Congrega- 
tional Church at Jericho Centre, \'t. On ac- 
count of the protracted sickness of his mother 
who required his constant care, he was com- 
pelled to relin(iuish all thought of the ministry 
as a profession. Mr. Richardson married, Sep- 
tember 7, 1807, Laura, d.-iugliter of Capt. 
John Lyman. He was ;in old Jeffersonian 
Democrat, an ai'dent sn])porter of Madison 
and Monroe's administrations, and a decided 
advocate of the War of 181 2. l^e enlisted 
as a volunteer and was an otiicer ot his com- 
pc'uiy which was ordered to I'lattsburg. .\fter 
the close of the war he ])nrchased .a farm near 
Jericho Centre, directing his attention to agri- 
cultural life, lie was for many years a jus- 
tice of the peace, often a meniber of the board 
of selectmen, and re|)resented Chittenden 
County in the Legislature of the state in 1821, 
1822 and 1824. He wrote the early history 
of Jericho townshi]) which was published in 
"Thomi)son's (iazetteer of the State." He 
earlv became interested in the cause of edu- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



735 



cation and secured thji eslal)lislnnent of a 
good academical scliool in his township; and 
was president of the first organized temper- 
ance society in liis town. AN'hen more than 
eiglity years of age lie removed with his wife 
to Butternuts, Otsego County, N. Y., where 
the couple spent the remainder of their days 
with their son-in-law', Edward Converse. 
Mr. Richardson, the father of J. L. Richard- 
son, died February 28, 1871. 

J. L. Richardson, the father of our subject, 
was born near Jericho Centre, Chittenden 
County, Vt., Septemlier 15, 1816. The coun- 
ty was named after the first governor, and 
one of the most renowned governors of the 
state; was the county in which Col. Ethan 
.Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, lived and 
died; the native county of Senator Edmunds; 
the native county of Dr. lligbec, former su- 
])erintendent of public instructit)n in Rennsxd- 
vania; and the first public school which Mr. 
Richardson attended was soon after taught 
by the father of President Arthur. His first 
term in the academy of his native town found 
him a schoolmate of Judge Poland, for many 
years a member of Congress from Vermont. 
At the age of nineteen Mr. Richardson taught 
his first school near his native town, and soon 
after entered Burr Seminary, at Manchester, 
Vt., then under the principalship of his rela- 
tive. Rev. Lyman Coleman, I). D., subse- 
<|uentlyprofessor of ancient and modern his- 
tory in Lafayette College, teaching winters, 
however, during the four years of his con- 
nection with the seminary. He left Manches- 
ter in 1842 on a visit to his sister Hannah, 
who, with her husband, John G. K. Truair, 
had charge of the Gilbertsville Academy and 
Collegiate Institute at Butternuts, Otsego 
County, N. Y. He spent a year at that ]ilace. 
teaching in the academy, and during one term 
was associated with the late Rev. Reuben 



Nelson, D. D., w ho was a teacher of languages 
in the same institution. Mr. Richardson 
moved to Luzerne County in 1843 ^^^'^^ taught 
school for several years. In the fall of 1855, 
while he was principal of Madison Academy 
at Waverly, Pa., he was commisgioned by An- 
drew G. Curtin, then secretary of state and 
superintendent of public instruction, as super- 
intendent of the schools of Luzerne County, 
riic act authorizing a superintendent was 
passed in 1854 and the late Rev. J. W. Lescher 
was the first superintendent, but he resij^ned 
shortly after the law went into effect. Mr. 
Richardson's first act as suijcrintcndent was to 
issue the following circular: 

"Fellow Teachers: .\s you are about to 
enter upon the arduous and important duty 
of training the Nonthful mind, it can hardly 
be necessary to remind you of the res])onsibli- 
ity attendant u])on the positions xou are to 
occupy. At least for a brief period, the moral 
and intellectual training of far the larger por- 
tion of the children and youth of Luzerne 
County will dex'olve upon you. Around .he 
faithful teacher clusters a moral grandeur 
which luj other profession can claim. \\>n 
are to act directly upon the human uiind. 
just at tliat period of its existence when im- 
pressions are the most lasting, and when its 
direction is the most easily given. With this 
.view of the subject, parents are al)out lo sur- 
render to your guidance and care the most 
precious gifts which Pleaven has bestowed 
upon them. Remember their deep an.xiety 
as they watch the mental and moral de- 
velopment of their children while under 
your instruction and supervision. Remem- 
ber 'that just as the twig is bent, 
the tree's inclined.' You are to do an 
important part of the work for preparing 
those under your charge for the ])ractical 
duties of life. The great moral and political 



736 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



macliinery t)f the state will soon he propelled 
by tliose wlio are now yonni;-. He carefnl. 
then, how yon deal with the future jewels of 
our country. Cidtivate in them a love of 
study and correct thought; inii)ress ui)on their 
young minds the principles of moral right as 
the only sure basis of their future usefulness. 
We are acquainted witli many of tlie diffi- 
culties which will attend your efforts, ^fany 
of you will be without pro])er a])]iaratus for 
your school-rooms, witliout a uniformity of 
text-books, located in miseral:)le houses, en- 
tirel}' inifit for the noble design of edui-ation. 
But be of good cheer, for we believe a iiet- 
ter day is coming. School directors are be- 
ginning to act in the right direction. The 
citizens of our thriving villages are beginning 
to feel imeasy when tliey view their splendid 
churches and tlieir magniticent hotels, etc., 
in contrast uitii their small, dingy, gloomy 
sciiool-iiouses. The contrast is producing 
unpleasant sensations of mind, and shows a 
want of propriety, harmony and consistency. 
Jiiit we are rejoiced to know, that, in several 
places, efiforts are in progress to leave the.se 
niiseralile school-buildings to tiie moles and 
bats, and in their ])!aces erect others better 
fitted for the education oi those of whom it 
was said, 'Of such is the Kingdom of Heav- 
en!' If you find your school-rooms not fur- 
nisheil with blackboard surface, maps, charts, 
etc., urge the directors to provide them for 
you. If school boards see that you are anx- 
ious by any means in yoiu^ power to secure 
the ini])rovement of your pupils, they will not 
be backward in assisting you. It will become 
my duty to visit your schools during the win- 
ter — a duty I intend without fail to perform. 
^\'e shall note tlic progress yoin^ schools arc 
making, and your own tact and skill as teach- 
ers. I would suggest that you procure and 
read Page's 'Thef)ry and Practice of Teach- 



ing,' take the Pennsylvania School Journal, 

and \()U will be more likely to succeed in 
your |)rofession. Kee|) a faithful report of the 
attendance, progress, and depoilment of yoin^ 
pupils. Organize so far as xou can town 
teachers' associations for mutual inipro\enient 
in the art of teaching, and be assured of my 
willingness to co-operate with you in efforts 
to elevate the common schools of our county. 

"J. L. RICHARDSON, 
"County Superintendent." 

Mr. Richardson did much to improve the 
efficiency of the common schools, and as the 
office of county superintendent was very much 
objected to by a large munber of peo])le at the 
first, he did much to elevate the office and 
gain for it the commendation of the people. 
He held the position for five years and then 
voluntarily retired. He was succeeded in the 
office by Rev. Abel Marcy. The Richardsons 
are a race of teachers. They are found scat- 
tered throughout the country, in our colleges, 
seminaries, public schools, and in every de- 
partment of scholastic labor. Of the brothers 
and sisters of Mr. Richardson, Betsy, Nathan, 
and .Martin L. taught in \ erniont; .Mrs. ¥a\- 
ward Conver.se taught in Lackawanna County 
more than forty-five years ago; Mrs. J. G. K. 
Truair had charge of the young ladies' depart- 
ment in the ( iilbertsville Academy and Colle- 
giate Institute; Mrs. Emily Hillhouse taught 
an academical school in Columbus, O.; and 
Simeon L. taught in Minnesota. Thus out of 
a family ul ten children who grew u]) to ma- 
turity, eight were teachers. It is a fact 
worthy of note that during a portion of the 
time that J. L. Richardson was county su])er- 
intendent of Luzerne Count), Rev. W'illard 
Richardson was county sui)erintendent of 
Sus(|nehanna County, and Judson Richardson 
was comitv superintendent of Sullivan Coun- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



737 



ty. Mr. Riciiarilson was for six years an 
agent of the Xew York American Missionary 
Association, and as sncii addressed tlionsands 
of his countrymen in favor of tlie ne\vl)-cre- 
ated citizens of African descent. His first 
year's residence during- tliis work was in i't. 
Louis, Mo., devoting his time to the orgain- 
zation of scliools and employing teachers lor 
tliem. He visited the states of New York, 
Pennsylvania, and Vermont, and raised thous- 
ands of dollars for his work among the freed- 
men. He is a pioneer anti-slavery luan and 
cast his vote for James G. Birney. John P. 
Hale, and other anti-sla\ery leatlers. At the 
age of fourteen he signed the pletlge at a tem- 
perance meeting, of which his father was presi- 
dent, and he has never drank a glass of wine 
in his life. In two presidential campaigns he 
was employed by the state committee of the 
temperance organization to canvass for votes, 
and to do all in his power to build up the 
cause. He has also been agent antl solicitor 
for the Timkhannock Repuljlican, a temper- 
ance paper, and also for the Scranton City 
Journal. In 1879 he retired to a farm in 
Cooper townsiiip, near Danville, Montour 
County, Pa. He married June 19, 1846, 
Catherine Heermans, at that time living in 
Hyde Park (now Scranton), Pa. She was a 
sister of Edmond and John Heermans, and 
niece of the late Joseph Fellows. 

We herewith ])ublish an article from the 
pen of C. H. Browning, which appeared in 
the Philadelphia Press August 14, 1898, in 
which Admiral Dewey is shown to be of 
royal descent, and our subject a descendant 
of the same ancestors: 

"While it will not add a particle to the 
exerlasting fame w liich Dewey — tliere is only 
one 'Dewey' — has brought to his surname 
through his heroism at Manila, yet it is agree- 
al)le to know that he is in a genealogical point 



of view no 'up-starl' and that on the con- 
trary he is ready to match ancestors with any 
one who may come along, and stands ready 
to back up his assertions with statements bear- 
ing on his claims fouml in lirowning's 'Amer- 
icans of Royal Descent,' Douglas' 'Peerage of 
Scotland,' Dugdale's 'Baronage of England.' 
Anderson's 'Royal Genealogies,' 'The Magna 
Charta Barons and their American Descend- 
ants,' and the other big guns of his genealog- 
ical armament. 

"Admiral Dewey's pedigree begins on the 
very border of mythology with Thor. the 
Saxon God, or cult-hero, who is almost a 
myth, called, variously Vothinn, Othinn, Odin. 
Bodo, and Woden, the King of the West Sa.x- 
ons, A. D., 256-300, who with his spouse, 
Frea, were the Mars and Venus of Saxon 
mythology. This King Woden, the God of 
War, is described as the great-grandfather of 
the bugaboos of English history, Horsa and 
Hengst, brothers, freebooters and pirates, of 
whom the Saxon annals tells us that Hengst 
was the King of Saxons, and died between A. 
D. 474 and 495, first King of Kent. 

"Leaving this progenitor of the Saxon rul- 
ers of Britain, Admiral Dewey's royal lineage 
passes along the ro\al Saxon line on the con- 
tinent, through King Hengst's son. Prince 
Hartwaker, to the historic King Dieteric, and 
his 'famous' wife (he had others), Wobrogera, 
a daughter of the unique character, Bellun, 
King of the Worder. Their grandson, Wite- 
kind the Great, was the last King of the 
Saxons, .\. D. yCg-Soy. and then dwindled 
into only their dukes, and Duke of West- 
phalia, while his descendants for a few gene- 
rations were only Counts of Wettin, until on 
the genealogical line we come to the great 
Robert — Robert-fortis — who, by his sword 
became Count of Axjor and Orleans, Duke 
and Marcjuis of France, and won the hand of 



738 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the fair Lady Alisa, sister-in-law to the King 
of France, Lothaire I. 

'"This hero of medieval history, Rohert-for- 
tis, tlic .[j;rcat-,t;rati<lson of the threat Witckind, 
was tlic founder of the so-called Capuchin line 
of nionarclis of I'i'ancc, for from him, through 
a line of Dukes of I'rance and Burgundy. 
Counts of Paris, etc., who hy their swords 
and intermarriages, hecame lirmly seated on 
l'"rfnc]i soil, was descended the celehrated 
Hugh Capet, Duke of l-'rance, who usurped 
the throne of I-'rance and supplanted Charles, 
Duke of Lorraine, the heir of Louis d'Outre- 
niere, or King Louis 1\'., the last Carlovin- 
gian, or descendant of the great I'"mperor 
Charlemagne, to occu])y the 'i""rench" throne. 

■■"Tis said "blood will tell." How true it is 
in Dewey's ca.se. The blood of the hnest war- 
riors in history tells in him. i le inherited the 
'knack of knowing' when to do it and how- 
to do it, and is the peer of anv of his ances- 
tors from King Ilengst to Hugh Capet, yet 
unconsciously he enudated the traits of many 
of them. 

■'Two other kings of the Capuchin line — 
Kobert the I'ious, and Llenry the First — 
Dewey nund)ers among his illustrious ances- 
tors, and ( libbon in his 'History of the Rom- 
an Kmi)ire,' tells us of the high lineage of 
one of his early ancestresses, .\nne of Russia, 
wife of llenry I., of h'rance. (iibbon slates 
she was the daughler of Jaroslaus, Grand 
Duke or Czar of Russi.i. A. D. 1015-1051. 
who was a descendant of llasil, the Macedon- 
ian, first emjieror of Ctjnstantinople, of his 
line, A. D. 867, antl that Basil was descended, 
on his father's side, from the Araeides, the 
rivals of Rome, possessors of the scepter of 
the East for 400 years, through a younger 
branch of the l^arthian mor. archs, reigning in 
.Armenia; .and on his mother's side, from the 
fuiropean, Const;mtine the Creat. ;md Alex- 
ander the (heat, the Macedonian. 



"All these illustrious historic characters 
were 1 )ewey's forbears and so also were many 
others, he nor any one can ever be proud of. 
lUit genealogy, like politics, 'makes strange 
bedfellows.' He was born to these — good, 
had and indifferent ancestors — they have been 
discovered for him, not manufactureil, and of 
their attributes he has inherited the best, so 
it a])pears. 

"Continuing Dewey's ])e(ligree, we find that 
one of his ancestors — the one necessary to 
connect him with these historic characters — 
was the son of King Henry L, of France, 
Hugh the Great, or Magnus, Duke of France 
and Burgundy, ]\Iar(|uis of Orleans and Count 
of I'aris, and through his wife Count of \'er- 
mandois and X'alois, a noted man of his day. 
"It is here that I3ewey's pedigree leaves the 
Continent and begins to be a part of English 
history. Dewey's ancestresses, Lady Isabel 
de X'ermandois, was the daughter of the afore- 
said Hugh Magnus, and was the first wife (he 
was her first husbaiul) of Robert de Bello- 
mont, or Beaumont, a Norman, Earl of Mil- 
lent, who accompanied William of Normandy 
on his expedition to England, and for the 
])art he took in the contest was created in 
I 103 Earl of Leicester and granted m;iny 
manors in hjigland, dying in 11 18. lie had 
issue by Lady Isabel, Robert Bosse de Bello- 
mont, second Earl of Leicester, who was jns- 
ticiarv of England. ;nid. (King in 11(18, li;til 
issue by his wife, Lady .\melia or .\mica, a 
daughter of Ralph de W'acr or Walter, who in 
1066 was the V.av\ of Norfolk, Suffolk ami 
Cand)ridge, but forfeited these earldoms in 
1074: Robert-blanc-Mains, third Earl of Lei- 
cester and Steward of England, whose daugh- 
ter. Lady Margaret de Bellouiont, was an an- 
cestress of .\dmiral Dewey. 

"This lad\- married Saber de Ouincey. an 
English baron, created in 1207 by King John, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



739 



to win him over to his side. Earl of Winches- 
ter. This haron accepted and enjoyed the 
lionnrs conferred on him h\' John, hut nc\-er 
was friendly to him. On the contrary, he 
was. next to Fitz Walter, the leader of the 
insurrectionary harons, and did as much work 
as any of them to compel King John to grant 
the Magna Charta — the charter of liherty — 
and was one of the twenty-five sureties chosen 
to enforce its observance. It is through th'is 
l)aron that Dewey is eligible to membership 
in the Order of Runnymede. 

"Turning now to the pages of the Scottish 
peerage books, we learn that this lunl of Win- 
chester's granddaughter, Elizabeth de Ouin- 
cey, was the wife of Alexander de Comyn, 
second Earl of Buchan, who was a descendant 
of Donalbane, King of Scots, which gives 
Dewey a 'strain' of the sturdiest sort. And 
reverting again to the English peerage, we 
fnid that Gilbert, Baron d'Umfraville married 
Lady Agnes, a daughter of the aforesaid Eliz- 
abeth, Countess of Buchan, and was the pro- 
genitor of a line of d'Umfravilles to Lady Joan 
d"L'mfra\ille, who married Sir William Lam- 
bert, Knt., Lord of Owlton Manor, in Dur- 
ham. From the authentic pedigrees of the 
ofilicial Heralds of England we learn that a 
great-granddaughter of this marriage was the 
wife of Thomas Lyman, Gent, of Navistoke, 
in Essex, who died in 1509, and the mother 
of Henry L\man, of High Ongar, in Esse.x, 
w ho was the ancestor of that Richard Lyman, 
born at High Ongar Manor in 1580, who 
came to the Massachusetts colony in 1631 and 
died in i(')40 at Hartford, Conn., of which city 
he was one of the founders and earliest lot 
owners. 

"His son Richard Lyman (of Windsor, 
Conn., died in 1662) daughter, Hepzibah, 
married November 6, 1662, Josiah Dewey 
(who was baptized October 10, 1641, and was 



the son of Thomas Dewey, the first of this 
surname to come to the new world — to lios- 
ton, Mass., in 1633) and they were the par- 
ents of Josiah, Jr., Ijorn December 24, T^r/i, 
who was the lineal ancestor as set forth in 
the "Dewey Genealogy' by William T. Dewey, 
of Montpelier, Vt., of our gallant hero. Rear 
.\dmiral Cjeorge Dewey. 

"Richard Lyinan, the patriarch of all the 
Lymans of English descent in .\mcrica. was 
Ijorn at iligh Ongar, Essex County, I'.ng- 
land, and was baptized October 30, 15S0. 
The date of his birth is not known. He mar- 
ried Sarah ( )sbiirne, of Halstead, in Kent. 
She went to .\merica with her husband and 
all her children, and died in Hartford. Conn., 
about the \ear 1640, soon after the death of 
her husband. Mr. L^•man embarked about 
the middle of August, 1631, with his wife 
and children, in the ship 'I^ion,' for New Eng- 
land, taking their dejiarture from the ])ort of 
Bristol. There went in the same ship, Martha 
Winthrop, the third wife of John Winthrop, at 
that time governor of New England, the gov- 
ernor's eldest son and his wife and their child- 
ren, also Eliot, the celebrated apostle of the 
Massachusetts Indians. The ship made anchor 
before Boston on November 2, 1631. Rich- 
ard Lyman first became a settler in Charles- 
town, Mass., and, with his wife, united with 
the church in what is now called Roxliin-y, un- 
der the pastoral care of liliot. the ajiostle to 
the Indians. He Ijecame a freeman at the 
General Court June 11, 1635. and on October 
15, 1635, he took his departure with his fam- 
ily from Charlestown, joining a part}' of about 
one-hundred persons who went through the 
wilderness from Massachusetts to Connecti- 
cut, the object being to form settlements at 
Windsor, Hartford, and \\'ethersfield. Fie 
was one of the first settlers ?.t Hartford. The 
journev from Massachusetts was made in 



740 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



about fourteen days' time, the distance beijig 
more than one hundred miles, and througli a 
trackless wilderness, 'ilicy had no guide InU 
their compass, and made their way over moun- 
tains, tiirough swamps, thickets, and rivers, 
wliich were not passable e.xcept with the great- 
est difficulty, 'i'liey had no cover but the 
heavens, nor any lodgings but those which 
simple nature afforded them. They drove 
with them one-hundreil and sixty head of cat- 
tle, and, by the w ay, subsisted in a great meas- 
ure on the milk of their cows. The people 
carried their packs, arms, rmd some utensils. 
This adventure was the more remarkable as 
many of this comi)any were ])ersons of figure 
who had lived in England in honor, afHuence 
and delicacy, and were entire strangers to 
fatigue and danger. Richard L}inan on this 
journey suffered greatly in the loss of cattle. 
He was one of the original pro|)rietors of 
Hartford, and there is little doubt that he and 
his wife formed a connection with the first 
church in Hartford, of which the Rev. Thomas 
Hooker was i)astor. His will, the first on 
record at Hartford, is dated .\])ril J2, 1040, is 
first in the valuable collection of Trumbull, 
and stands Record I, page 442, and followed 
by an in\entory of his estate. He died in 
-August, iC)4(), and his name is inscribed on 
a stone colunui in the rear of the Centre 
Church, of Hartford, erected in memory of 
the first settlers of the city. I lis wife, Sarah, 
ilied S(Jon afterward. l\ich;ird Lyman is re- 
])orted to ha\e begim life in the new world 
as a man of 'considerable estate, keeping two 
.servants.' 

"John l.vnian, known as Lieutenant Ly- 
man, born in High Ongar, Sei)tember, i-('>23. 
came to New F.tigland with his father. He 
married I )orc;is, daughter of John Plumb, of 
Branford. Coim. He settled in Northamp- 
ton, Mass., where he resided imtil his death, 



August "20, 1690. Lieutenant John Lyman 
was in conmiand of the Northampton soldiers 
in the famous Falls fight, al)Ove Deerfield 
May iS, i(>/fh Moses Lyman, son of Lieu- 
tenant John Lyman, was born in Northamp- 
ton, Mass., February 20. i''>23, and died l'"eb- 
ruary 25, 1701. Captain Moses Lyman, the 
only-son of Moses Lyman, was born I'ebruary 
27, 1689, and died March 24, 1762. lie mar- 
ried Mindwell Slieklon, Dccemlier 13. 1712. 
Simeon L\nian, son of Captain Moses Ly- 
man, was born in 1725 in Northami)ton, 
Mass., settled in Salisbury, Conn., and joiueil 
the church in that place in 1740 b_\- letter from 
the church in Northampton. He married 
.\bigail Beebe, of Canaan, Conn., and both 
died in Salisbury in the year 1800. John Ly- 
man, son of Simeon L\inan, of Salisbury, 
Conn., was born March ii, i7(')0. He mar- 
ried Huldah f'.rinsniade, of Stratford, Conn. 
He migrated to Jericho, \'t., soon after the 
Revolutionary War, among the first .settlers 
of the state. He was a man of dee]) thought, 
sound judgment, and an earnest Christian. 
As a bold and fearless soldier and sure marks- 
man, he .served faithfully his couiUry in the 
war of the Revolution. He ilied in 1840. 
Laura layman was born Novemlier 10. 1781;, 
;uid marrieil September 7, 1807, William 1'. 
Kichard.son. She died at lUuternuts, ( )tsego 
Coimtv, N. ^'., h'ebruary 28, 18(19." 

In an address delivered b\- lion. Lyni.an 
Treniain. a descendant of Richard Lyman 
through Simeon Lyman, at a reunion of the 
Lvman family, he uses this language: 

"How mighty and marvelous are the ph_\si- 
cal, moral, and ])olitical changes that have 
been wrought in the condition of our country 
since Richard Lyman first entered the val- 
ley of the Connecticut. These can only be 
briefiv sketched on this occasion, l^leven 
vears before he landed .at Boston, the I'il- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



741 



grims had planted their footsteps upon the 
rock at Plymouth, and hiid Ijroad and deep 
the foundations of free reliijious worshi]) and 
repuljlican Hherty. Two years l)efore Kiui^ 
Charles the First iiad granted tlic charter in- 
corporating 'The Governor and Company of 
tlie Massachusetts liay in New England.' 
The year before John Winthrop had been 
chosen governor of Massachusetts, and had 
emigrated to the cohnu-, leasing his wife in 
England to follow him when licr hcaUli wouM 
allow. * * * These feeble colonists have 
become a mighl\' nation. Where stood those 
primeval forests now stand i)opulous cities, 
flourishing towns and \illages, and smiling 
farms and farm houses, while the journe\- that 
then required fourteen davs for its accom- 
jdishment is now made by the iron horse se\'- 
eral times every day." 

John Lyman Richaiilscm received his pri- 
mary education in the public schools of 
Wilkesliarre, Pa., which was later supjilement- 
ed by a course in the State Normal School 
at Bloomsburg where he was prepared for 
Lafayette College, entering the class of 1885. 
He then taught school for a short time, and 
in 1886 became shi]iping clerk and buyer for 
the Manhattan Brass Company of New York- 
City, remaining in the position for three and 
one-half \-ears: he then accei)ted a like posi- 
tion with Randolph & Clowes of Waterbury. 
Conn. In 1891 he removed to Bloomsburg 
and in company with F. J. Richard built the 
Tube Plant, of which our suljject was treas- 
urer until 1894. For the past year Mr. Rich- 
ardson has been representing the Weathervvax 
Manufacturing Company of San Francisco, 
Cab, and has been assigned to the eastern 
states, where he is meeting with the greatest 
of success. In 1895 our subject and Mr. 
Richard built foiu" large tenement houses, 
and in 1898 the former built a large and hand- 
some residence on East Main street. 



Mr. Richardson formed a matrimonial alli- 
ance with Minnie Bittenbender, a daughter of 
l^xan I',. Uitteubcnder of Grand Rajiids. 
Mich., and they have been blessed by two 
children, namely: Catherine R., born June 5, 
1896: and John L., born Jidy 4, 1897. In 
political views our subject affiliates with the 
Rei)ublican part}'. 

b'.van K. P.ittenbender, father of Mrs. J. L, 
Uich.ardson, was born b'eljruar}' 2(\ 184J. ai 
Cand)ria, Luzerne County, Pa. His father, 
Henry Bitteiibender, removed with his family 
to Forks, Columbia County, Pa., and pur 
chased what is now known as the Zaner farm, 
one of the liest in the Fishing Creek Valley. 
Upon reaching his twent\-first year E\an E. 
enlisted in Company E, 209tli Reg., Pa. Vol. 
Inf., in which company he served until the end 
of the Ci\'il War. His company was engaged 
in some of the fiercest battles of the war, 
among others Fort Steadman and Petersburg. 
He married Rebecca Matilda Stoker, daugh- 
ter of Daniel Stoker, September 28, 1865, and 
removed in the same year to Constantine, 
Mich., subsequently removing to Grand Rap- 
ids, Mich., in 1881. 



^^T*^ORGE P. and HARRY W. ARM- 
5T STRONG, constituting the firm of 



(I 

G. P. Armstrong & Bro., are pro- 
prietors of the leading general merchandise 
store and are among the foremost of the pros- 
perous business men of McEwensville, North- 
umberland County, Pa. They are sons of 
Gen. George W. and Elizabeth (Witter) Arm- 
strong, and are members of an old and well- 
established family of Northumberland Coun- 
ty- 

Their earliest known ancestor was James 

Armstrong, a native of Ireland, who taught 



742 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



school and engaged in surveying in that coun- 
tiv. Ik' was a well-educated man, and on 
June I, 1786, came to America, locating- in 
Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa. lie brought 
with him the following high recommendation 
fnini business and professional men, an excel- 
lent testimonial as to his character: 

COUNTY OF FERMANAGH. 
COkroRATION OF ENNISKILLEN. 
[Seal.j 

\\ c, the undiT-namcd I'roNost, llurgcss. and 
brccnien of the aforesaid cor|i(iralii>n, do cer- 
tify that the bearer. James Armstrong, was 
born and bred in the neighborhood of this 
Corporation, of I'rotestant parents; that he 
alwa\'S bcluuetl himself soberly and indus- 
triously, practicing the business of a Land 
Surveyor, with many other businesses of trust, 
which he punctually discharged to the satis- 
f.'iction of his employers. In testimony where- 
of we ha\^e affixed the seal of our Cori)oration. 
Given under our hands this twenty-fifth day of 
May, One Thousand Seven Hundred and 
Eighty-six. ART. JOHNSTON, 

Recorder. 

WILLIAM SCOTT, 

Provost. 

W ALTbLR HUDSON. 

K0I11':RT HASSAKl), 

Ijurgesses. 

The bearer. James .Armstrong, was born on 
my estate, in County Fermanagh, of reputable 
parents, and has always bchaxed himself reg- 
ularly and st.berly. MR. ARCHDALL, 
Member for the County of Fermanagh. 

James Armstrong, above mentioned, served 
as clerk to my church twelve years, last x\pril, 
and behaved himself soberly and w^ell and was 
schoolmaster to my parish of Funis McSaint, 
otherwise Churchhill, for li\e years, and de- 



clined teaching school on getting employment 
as Surveyor of Land, which was of more ad- 
vantage to him than teaching school. Given 
u.nder my hand this thirty-first day of May, 
1786. ' JN. NIXON, 

Tutor and X'icar of Said Parish. 

N. B. — 1 have promised to restore him to 
his clerkship if he returns in twelve months' 
time. 

The bearer. J;unes Armstrong, of Cossbys- 
town. who is now about to set out for Amer- 
ica, acted in a ])lace of trust and authority for 
me for se\ en years past, and acijuitted himself 
with as nuich honesty and integrity as I could 
ex])ect or wish for. 

Gixen under my hand this 30th day of May, 
1786. .six. \VM. OWENS. 

Curate F.nnis McSaint Parish, Ireland. 

1 have known the above mentioned James 
Armstrong for some time, and I believe the 
above to be true. AND. R. MILLAR, 

Vicar Clogham. 

Mr. Armstrong readily procured a position 
as instructor in the Carlisle High School as 
teacher of mathematics. While residing in 
Carlisle he married Eleanor Pollock, who was 
born Februar}- 7. 1760, and died February 26, 
1823. She was a daughter of John Pollock, 
who also came to this country and made his 
home in Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pa. 
He was a son of Dr. Thomas Pollock, whose 
ancestors were from Renfrewshire, Scotland. 
Mrs. Armstrong fell heir to a tract of 200 
acres of land in Northumberland County, the 
place now owned by Merritt Sanster. which 
adjoins McEwensville, and her husband then 
resigned his position and located thereon. He 
followed farming until his death, on Septem- 
ber 20, 1829. James Armstrong was the pro- 
genitor of the following children: .\nthony, 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



743 



the grandfatlier of our siil)jects. Elizal)etli, 
who was l)oni Novcnil)Ci" ii, \~^'). and died 
on Jidy 5, 1S61, married George IMain, 
and had five chihh'en; Ellen, who married Ja- 
cob Mosteller; Prudence, the wife of J. D. 
lirittain : James, whose wife was Elizabeth 
Amans; Jane: and Mary, the wife of Henry 
Martin. Iileanor, the third child of James and 
h'leanor Armstrong, was born July 28, 1791. 
and died on September 2 J of "the same year, 
hdeanoi", the fourth child born to her parents, 
was born on .Vut^ust S, 1792, and died on Feb- 
luary 7. 1857. married Andrew Ciufifey, and 
tlieir children were: Margaret, the wife of J. 
r. .Vrmstrong: .\ndrew J., who married Mary 
AI. Falls; James, who married Elizabeth Shan- 
non: Harriet, the wife of S. C. Frymire; Clar- 
issa: Richard, who married Hester McKee; 
and Eleanor. Catherine, the fifth child, was 
born September 26, 1793, and died Novemljer 
9, 1857. John, born December 18, 1795, died 
April 2, 1863. Jane, born October 25, 1798, 
died September 14, 1844. James, who was 
born December 3, 1800, and died on October 
15, 1 87 1, married Mary Reeder, and they were 
the parents of the following children: Dr. 
Richard, whose wife was Mary Reusing: Mar- 
garet E.: George B., who married Enmia .Ax- 
icll: William; and Mary, the wife of Frank 
.Morgan. Mary, the ninth child born to James 
and his wife Eleanor, was born September 9. 
1803, and died April 20, 1879. Richard, 
will) was born .Vpri! 13, 1805, became a mis- 
sionary, going to the Sandwich Islands in 
1832, where he established the first church. 
He followed his calling there and accom- 
plished much good, but his life was cut short 
in i860, when he was thrown from his horse 
and killed. His wife and daughter, Amelia, 
established a school at Oakland, Cal., for the 
education of the Chinese, and his son, Sam- 
uel, established the institute at Hampton, Va., 



fur the education of Indians and .X'egroes. He 
married Clarissa Chapman, and their union 
was blessed by the birth of eight children, 
namclv: Caroline: Carrie, the wife of Ed- 
mund iieckwith: Samuel; William N.; Ellen; 
James; Clara: and Amelia. 

Anthony Armstrong, the grandfather of our 
subjects, was born on Sei)tember 6, 1788, and 
earl_\- in life was engaged in teaming frcun Mil- 
ton to I'hiladelphia, befcjre the existence of 
railroads in that sectit)n or before the canal 
was built. He hauled i)r()duce and provisions 
down to market and letuined with a stock of 
merchandise, the trip being three weeks long. 
He subsec|uently took, to agricultural jiursuits 
and continued at that the remainder of his life, 
dxing in January, 1868. Politically he was a 
tirm Democrat. He was appointed captain 
of the Northumberland Cavahw Troop, it be- 
ing organized in 1824, by Gov. J. Andrew 
Shultze, the first in the county. He married 
Elizabeth GufYey, who died in 1832. Several 
years afterward he married Martha Conley, 
who died in 1878. His union with his first 
wife resulted in the following offspring: Jane, 
the wife of Edwin V. Derickson. Matilda A. 
was the wife of Judge John F. Dentler, by 
whom she had ten children, namel)-; Alary E., 
the wife of P. Mellick; Harry C: Wallace 
W.: Jane E., the wife of J. N. Sloan; John 
M.: James D.; Julia, the wife of William 
Withers: Jessie F., the wife of Alfred Bagney; 
.Maggie M.,who married Leidy Morelock: and 
Sally M. (GitYord). Margaret, the third daugh- 
ter of Anthony and Elizabeth Armstrong, was 
the wife of John Sloan. .Vndrcw married An- 
geline Watson, and their children were: 
James; Elizabeth, the wife of H. Allen; An- 
thony, who married Kate Grifey; David, who 
married Jane McWilliams; Mary, the wife of 
Frederick Gosh; and Emma. James F., the 
fifth child of Anthony and Elizabeth, married 



744 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES 



Margaret Guffey, and they were the parents of 
the followini; cliildren: Hannah; Mary; Liz- 
zie, tlic wife (if Henry Nye; Henry; Samuel; 
Clara; Scotl; and J lattic. George W. is 
the father of the gentlemen whose names head 
these lines. 

General George W. Armstrong was horn, 
Jidy 31, 1822, in Turhol township, Northum- 
berland County, I 'a., and received a good ed- 
ncatitin in Milton Academy and the pul)1ic 
schools. He taught school for two terms and 
at the age of eighteen years went into the 
office of the Ledger at Milton, where he 
learned the priiUor's trade and suhsecpiently 
became a jjart-owner of the ])ublicati(in. In 
T.S44 he disposed of it to J. R. Fa-U and en- 
listed in Company (", jnd Reg., Pa. \"ol. Inf., 
serving in the Mexican War until August of 
the same year, when he received his discharge 
in order to accomjiany the reiuains of (ien. R. 
11.1 lannnond to his home at Milton, Pa. He 
then became one of the proprietors of the Pal- 
ladium of Bordentown, N. J., and after dis- 
posing- of his interest there moved to Potts- 
ville, Pa., where he was associated with G. L. 
Vliet, Esq., in ])ublishing The True Democrat. 
After a period of two years, in 1849, he moved 
to McEwensville, and in the following year 
began clerking in the store of Dentler & Arm- 
strong, in which capacity he continued until 
1859,. when he embarked in business on his 
own account. He ])urchasc<l the W atson iK: 
X'incent store, which was built in 1828, and 
also the residence adjoining, which was built 
by the same firm in 1832. His business was 
begim on a small scale, but as his patronage 
grew he increased his stock and facilities for 
handling the trade of his customers, occupy- 
ing two floors of the building. He became 
the leading' merchant in the village and one 
of the largest in the district, and continued in 
a j)rosperous manner until i8yo, when he re- 



tired in favor of his sons, who now operate the 
store. The}' ha\e a first-class store in every 
respect and enio\- the confidence and respect 
of the community to a marked degree. Gen. 
.\rmstrong served as postmaster of Mc- 
l'"weus\ille for about eight \ears and has 
served as school director for twenty-eight 
years, still continuing in that capacity. In 
1853 he was commissioned first lieutenant in 
the Northumberland County Cavalry Troop 
by Gov. Bigler, \vas commissioned second 
lieutenant in 1854, and one year later was 
made a captain. Ever since the time of James 
Armstrong the family have been strict adher- 
ents to the faith of the Presbyterian Church. 
The father of our subject was united in 
hymeneal bonds with I-'lizabeth Witter, who 
was born July i, 1822, a daughter of Amos 
W'itter, who came from near Westfield, Mass., 
and settled at Milton at an early day. The 
Witter family traces its ancestry back to one 
Capt. Ebenezer Witter, who was a nati\e of 
Westfield, Mass. He served as a captain in 
the Revolutionary War. and on page 20 of 
the "Lexington Alarm List" from the town 
of Preston, Conn., may be found his record. 
He was born September 11, 1732, and was 
three times married. His first wife was Amy 
Meref, to whom he was married June 2, 1757, 
and from this union the Cook family de- 
scended. His second union occurred Septem- 
ber 22, 1763, with Abigail Geer, ami in 1796 
he married for his third wife Hannah Page. 
The family record is very incomplete, but it is 
thought that Mrs. .\rmstrong is a descendant 
of Capt. Witter's second union. 

In connection with Francis Ball, under the 
firm name of Witter & Ball, Amos Witter en- 
gaged in the manufacture of carriages on Wal- 
nut street previous to the year 1840, and 
became a prominent man of that locality. He 
was a major of the state militia. He insti- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



745 



tuted tlie first lodge of Masons at Milton, and 
was the first grand master; he was also a mem- 
l)er of the Odd Fellows' Lodge. He lived to 
reach the advanced age of seventy-five years, 
and his w ife died at the age of forty-five yeai^s. 
His wife's maiden name was Mary Delevan, 
and their union resulted in the following issue: 
Amos; Alhert; Henry; Hammond; Jane; 
Lucy; Amelia; Elizabeth; and Margaret. 
Gen. Armstrong and his wife were the parents 
of five children: Lucy Blanche, the wife of 
William F. Dewitt ; Matilda, the wife of James 
Buoy; George P.; Annie; and Harry W. 

George P. Armstrong was born in Mc- 
Ewensville, Pa., May 3, 1854, and received his 
education in the ]\[cEwensville Academy, af- 
ter which he taught school for ten years. He 
took up the trade of a plasterer and followed 
that occupation for some years; he also spent 
one year prospecting in the ^^'est. He clerked 
in a general merchandise store and after ac- 
cjuiring the requisite amount of experience, in 
1890, became a partner with his brother, Har- 
ry, in conducting the store formerly owned 
by his father. He is a shrewd, clever business 
man, and has been very successful. He has 
held many minor oftices of the borough and 
is now serving as assessor. Socially he was 
formerly a member of the Odd Fellows' 
Lodge. 

Harry Witter .Vrmstrong was l)orn Septem- 
ber 18, 1861, in McEwensville, and was edu- 
cated in the academy at that place. He served 
as a clerk in his father's store and for a num- 
ber of years prior to the latter's retirement had 
complete charge of the store. He has fol- 
lowed that line of business continuously since. 
He became a partner to his brother in 1890, 
and by their honest and straightforward meth- 
ods of dealing- with the pubHc they have ac- 
quired an enviable reputation for their estab- 
lishment. Harry Witter Armstrong was ap- 



pointed postmaster and ser\-ed under both of 
Cleveland's administrations. Religiously he is 
a member of the Warrior Run Presbyterian 
Church and is trustee of that organization. 
He is one of the jjopular men of the village 
and has manv friends throughout the county. 



M 



UNCAN C. CAMPBELL,* a repre- 
sentati\e and leading farmer of Rush 
township, Northumberland County, 
was l)orn June 15, 1826, on the place where 
he now lives, and is a son of Abraham and 
Jane (Cameron) Campbell, and grandson of 
, Robert Campbell of New Jersey, who was a 
farmer and had a family of eight children. 
The Cameron and Campbell families are of 
Scotch descent. 

Al)raham Canqibell, our subject's father, 
was a native of New Jersey, but" was brought 
when a lad of eight years to Rush township, 
where he grew to manhood and lived the re- 
mainder of his life, following the peaceful vo- 
cation of a farmer, until he died in October. 
1 861. His wife, Jane (Cameron) Campbell, 
who died in 1854, was a native of Fishing- 
Creek, Pa. To them were born five children: 
Robert, who died in 1861, was a farmer and 
married Sarah .\nn Vastine, now deceased, of 
Rush townshi]); Margaret, and her husliand, 
Joseph Hartman, are both deceased; Flora, 
who died at the age of four years; Duncan C, 
our subject; and Joseph L.. deceased, whose 
wife was Ellen John of Danville. N. Y. Mr. 
Campbell was an active, stirring man, a Dem- 
ocrat in political views, in religious attach- 
ments a Methodist and ser\ed as trustee and 
steward in the church. 

Duncan C. Campbell, our subject, was mar- 
ried December 25. 1849, to Nancy Colket of 



746 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



I\usli towiisliip. will) ilic<l .M;i_\- 30, 1887. Slie 
was a (laiiylitcr of Jolin and Elizabeth (Vas- 
linc) Colkct. John \'astine was a cooper hy 
trade, and l)oth lie and his wife lived and died i 
in knsh township. Our snhject and wife be- 
came the parents of five children, namely: 
.\rthur .Monroe, born February 17, 1851, mar- 
ried lilanohe Wood of Syracuse, N. Y., and 
manufactures corsets in that city; Flora J., 
who married Charles ]\I. Vendevander, and 
lives in Northumberland, Pa., having one 
son. Forrest; Elizabeth, who married Oba- 
diali Fox. a merchant of Mount Carmel, Pa., 
;ind has four children, Stella, Kimber K., 
Howard, and Ethel; Joseph B., who married 
Esther Leiby of Bear Gap, Pa., and has two 
children, Gertrude and Duncan; and James 
E., a car])entcr for the Pennsylvania Railroad 
;U Riverside. Pa., who married Mary Hurd, 
and thev have four children, Blanche, .\rthur, 
Duncan C., and Myrtle. 

Our subject has always lived on the old 
homestead, with the exception of three years, 
when he lived on an adjoining farm. He has 
180 acres of land, upon which he has made 
many improvements: he built a very fine 
house in 1894. in which he has hot and cold 
water, bath, furnace heat, etc. He has oper- 
ated a threshing machine for several years and 
also cut and sawed a great deal of lumber from 
his place. He keeps on the average about 
twenty cows and has run a milk route to Dan- 
ville. Pa., for about fifteen years, the manage- 
ment of which is now in the hands of his son 
Joseph, who has always lived with him and is 
one of the prominent men of Rush township. 
Our subject's popularity among his friends 
has caused him to hold many offices, viz., 
school director, auditor, overseer of the poor, 
judge of elections and many other minor po- 
sitions. He has always been a stanch Demo- 
crat. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F., 



Lodge No. 527, of Sn\(lerto\\n, Pa. lie is 
also a member of the Cirange. Inheriting all 
the love and respect of his Scotch ancestry for 
the Sabbath and divine worship, our subject 
has not confined his energies to secular work 
alone, but has devoted much of his time to 
church afifairs, and has served as trustee and 
steward of the .Methodist Episcopal Church 
at ]\line"s (iro\e. He has a rugged constitu- 
tion, which has enabled him to labor hard and 
long, and his many friends regret that a bad 
accident which left him with a broken hip 
should cripijle him for life and prevent him 
from enjoying some of the blessings which 
have come to him as the result of the toil of 
vounger davs. 



~\r\ l\- ^^^ T. graham,* who is unex- 

I J celled in Northumberland County as 

f~XZ^ a phy.sician and surgeon, is acting in 
that capacity for the Pennsyh'ania Railroa<l 
and is one of the foremost citizens of Sunbur\'. 
He is a son of Dr. G. M. and Rebecca (Kelley) 
Graham, and was born in Juniata County, Pa., 
Novendier 27, 1862. 

The family is of Scotch-Irish stock, and its 
members were among the early pioneer set- 
tlers of Central Pennsylvania, where William 
Graham, our subject's great-grandfather, lo- 
cated, l)uying a tract of one hundred acres of 
land on the south side of Tuscarora Creek, in 
what is now Spruce Hill township, Juni;Ua 
County, ft)r the paltry sum of three tlollars 
per acre. He clearetl part of the land and 
during the remainder of his life was engaged 
in its cultivation. His son. John Graham, the 
grandfather of our subject, was born upon this 
property, which he was engaged in cultivating 
until 1837, when he moved to Cumberland 
Countv. near Carlisle, and tilled the soil the 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



747 



reniaiiider of his life, dying in 1867, after at- 
taining the age of eighty-four years. He was 
a man of exceptional business qualifications 
and good judgment. He formed a matrimo- 
nial alliance with Polly Turbett, a daughter of 
Col. Turbett, w ho was activel}- engaged in the 
battle at Princeton, and others of prominence 
in the Revolutionary War. This union re- 
sulted in the birth of ten children, the young- 
est of whom was Dr. G. M. Graham. 

Dr. G. M. Graham was born in Spruce Hill 
township in 1829, and obtained his intellectual 
training in the Tuscarora Academy and Dick- 
inson College of Carlisle, Pa., after which he 
took up the study of medicine and was grad- 
uated from the JefTerson Medical College of 
Philadelphia in 1853. He immediately after 
located in Perrysville, now Port Royal, and 
ac(|uircd a lucrati\'e practice, doing a vast 
amount of work in the surgical line, as he was 
especially efificient in performing operations. 
Pie was for many years an elder in the Presby- 
terian Church. At 6 o'clock a. m., June i, 
1854, he was joined in wedlock to Rebecca 
Kelley, and they became the parents of four 
children, three sons and one daughter, all of 
whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Graham was 
a daughter of Joseph Kelle\', M. D., a native 
of Lancaster County, who was born Novem- 
ber 19, 1795. He was a graduate of the med- 
ical department of the University of Penn- 
sylvania, and located in Spruce Hill township, 
where he was a prominent physician. He lived 
a long and useful life, dying in 1887, at the age 
of eighty-two years. Religiously he was an 
elder in the Presb)terian Church for many 
years. He chose as his companion in life 
Anna Breson Stewart, who died in 1870, aged 
sixty-five years, and who was a descendant of 
the Stewarts, a prominent family of Scotland. 

Dr. W. T. Graham was educated in the Port 
Royal Academy and in Dickinson College, 



from which he graduated in 1886, after which 
he read medicine with his father for some time, 
and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical 
College in 1889, after which he remained at 
home for one year, and then moved to Miner's 
State Hospital at Ashland, Pa. He served for 
two years as assistant surgeon of that institu- 
tion, and in 1893 removed to Sunbury, and 
has since been surgeon for the Pennsylvania 
Railroad and carried on a general practice. 
He is also a member of the Northumberland 
County Medical Association. During his brief 
residence in Sunbm\v Dr. Graham has become 
firmly established in the good will and affec- 
tion of the people. 



^Cm)/iLLIAM BRO^ 
VpV the soil has been 



ONG.* Cultivating 
the principal occu- 
jjaticn of the gentleman whose 
name heads this sketch, and he is the owner 
of a farm pleasantly situated in Hillsgrove 
township. Sullivan County, Pa. His parents 
are Joseph and Catherine (Hufsmith) Brong, 
and he was born in Monroe County, Pa., Oc- 
tober 20, 1840. 

Our subject's grandfather was Jacob Brong, 
also a native of Monroe County; he was en- 
gaged in farming and the lumber business and 
owned a large saw-mill. Pie continued to re- 
side in Monroe County all his life and died 
there an old man. Joseph Brong was born 
in Monroe County, Pa., where he lives at the 
present time, having spent over eighty years 
of his life in that county. He has Ijeen a farm- 
er all liis life, and has been remarkably suc- 
cessful; he has made many friends, all of 
whom respect and esteem him for his many- 
sterling qualities. He was twice married. His 
first wife was Catherine Hufsmith, a native of 
Monroe County, and his second wife was Mrs. 



748 



IinoK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



("atlicrinc Krestc. (Jur sul)jccl:s mutlier died 
ill i(S8o. She was llie mother of tliirteen cliil- 
(h"en, wlu) were named as follows: \\ illiam, 
our subject , the eldest; Sarah, who is a resi- 
dent of Monroe County; !Mary Ann, wife of 
J. I). Miller of Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Hannah, 
who united in marriage with \\'illiani Everitt, 
a retired farmer of Monroe County, Pa.; 
Charles 1!.. a carpenter by trade, residing at 
Peckville, Pa.; Emelinc, who resides at home; 
Julia Ann. deceased; Savannah, who married 
Albert Kreste, and they are residents of Beth- 
lehem, Pa.; Jolm, a laborer residing at 
Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Millard, wlio lives in Mon- 
roe County. I'a.; Nathan, deceased; and two 
w ho died in their infancy. 

\\'illiam Brong began farming as a laborer 
in his natixe county; when the Civil ^\'ar 
broke mil he xolunteereil his services, and in 
Se])tember, iSOj. he enlisted in Company F, 
i-r.th Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., under Col. A. A. 
Eeckler and Capt. Nicholas. The company 
onl\- participated in a few skirmishes, and at. 
the expiration of his enlistment, on June 2, 
1863, our subject was discharged. Return- 
ing home he began the life of a farmer, and in 
1891 he left his native county and removed to 
Sullivan County and settled in Hillsgrove 
township, where he began lumbering; later 
he settled on his ijresent homestead near 
Plillsgrove, owning a fine farm of eighty-two 
acres. 

December 25. 1864, }vlr. P.rong was united 
iu marriage with Aim Maria Anglemire, born 
in Monroe County, Pa., June 9, 1841, and a 
daughter of .\dam and Sarah (Kreste) Angle- 
mire, l)oth of whom are now deceased; her 
father was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and 
Mrs. Brong are the parents of four children, 
namely: Adam J., who resides at home; Rob- 
ert, a farmer of Hillsgrove township, who 
married C"ora Jackson; Alda M., who died 



young; and Bertha, an adopted child, born 
.\pril 16, 1895. Mr. Brong was formerly a 
Democrat, but is now a Republican; he has 
held the office of road commissioner several 
years. Religiously he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the (jerman Reformed Church of Hills- 
grove. 




^.WIICL SCHLIEF.* a prosperous 
merchant of Shamokin, Pa., is purel}' 
of (Jerman descent. He was born Feb- 
ruary f), 1863, at Silver Creek, Schuylkill 
Count}-, Pa., and is a son of Francis and 
Barbara (Strohm) Schlief. His maternal 
grandparents were Daniel and Catherine 
(Steis) Strohm. They came over from Ger- 
many on the same vessel which also bore the 
fatlier of our subject, then a young man. His 
grandparents located on a tract of land in 
Schuylkill County, Pa., known as the "Bushy 
Tract." 

Francis Schlief, father of our sul)ject, was 
born in 1822 in Bavaria. Germany. Pie ar- 
rived in America, July 15, 1848. He first set- 
tled at .Middeport, Schuylkill County, Pa., but 
subsequently removed to Brady, Northumber- 
land County, now known as Johnson City, 
and engaged in agricultural pursuits until our 
subject attained the age of six years, removing 
at that time to Shamokin and engaging in 
mining for many years. Later he was an as- 
sistant in a mercantile establishment at Sham- 
okin. He continued at that occupation until 
cut off by death in 1882 at the age of sixty 
years. He was a member of the Reformed 
Church. He was a decided Republican. 

Daniel Schlief attended public schools until 
he attained the age of twelve years when he 
began working at the mines as slate-picker, 
continuing that occu|)ation until sexenlecn 
years of age, w hen he commenced clerking for 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



749 



liis father and diligently continued at that un- 
til his father's death in 1882, after which he re- 
mained with his father's former employer for 
six years. By strict attention to his duties and 
by close economy he had saved a considerable 
sum of money with which, in 1888, he leased 
a building and engaged in the mercantile 
business for himself, directly opposite the 
l)lace he now occupies. He remained there for 
several years and was successful to such a 
marked degree that he was enabled to pur- 
chase his present site and build a handsome 
building of his own, at No. 600 West Pine 
street. Shamokin. This is a modern brick 
building with a frontage of 25 feet and a depth 
of 60 feet, and is three stories high. In this 
building Mr. Schlief carries a fine stock of 
general merchandise' and can please the most 
fastidious. He is a close and careful buyer 
and believes in (juick sales and small i)rofits, 
thus securing for his customers many excel- 
lent bargains. 

Mr. Schlief was twice married. His first 
wife was Mazie L. Hale, who bore him one 
son, Daniel, now deceased. After the death 
of his first wife, Mr. Schlief was united^ with 
Mrs. Kate S. Lyne. Two children were Ijorn 
to them, a daughter and son, Mazie Ruth and 
Lloyd .\llen. Mr. Schlief and his wife have 
seen these loved ones laid to rest in the gra\'e; 
the misfortune fell hea\'ily upon them, but 
the\' have bowed to the will of Him who called 
their loved ones home, and by this bereave- 
ment their own lives have been more closely 
cemented together. 

Mr. Schlief is, virtually, a self-made man, 
having risen from a day-laborer to a position 
of wealth. He has been the architect of his 
own fortunes in the truest sense of the word. 
Roth politically and religiously he follows in 
the footsteps of his father, being an enthusias- 
tic Republican and a member and liberal sup- 



porter of the Reformed Church. He has serv- 
ed as councilman for two years, and is now a 
member of the board of health. He is a mem- 
ber of Washington Camp No. 30, P. O. S. of 
.\., and is also a member of the A. P. .A., No. 
149. 




OBERT HENRY SAVAGE, D.D.S.,* 
a i)roficient and successful dentist of 
Sunbury, Pa., is a man who, by per- 
sexerance and energy, has won success despite 
adverse circumstances for which he was in no 
way responsi1)le and which he could not con- 
trol. Dr. Savage is a son of James and Eliza- 
beth (Ball) Savage and was born in Wiconis- 
co, Dauphin County, I\a., Augu.st 3, 1859. 

Our sul)jcct's grandfather, Janics Savage, 
was a native of Wales and with his wife. 
Eleanor, and family inuuigrated to the L'nited 
States, settling in Minersville, Schuylkill 
County, Pa., where he died. He was a miner 
in his native country and continued as such 
in this country. 

James Savage, father of the subject of this 
review, was born in Minora, County of 
Denbigh, North Wales, the home of his an- 
cestors for many years, February 25, 1823; 
in 1S35, when the family settled in Miners- 
ville, he was but twelve years of age. lie 
obtained a limited education in the public 
schools and grew to manhood in the town in 
which the family settled. When twelve years 
old James entered the mines as a mule driver. 
He continuc<] in the mines as a laborer, pur- 
suing the various lines of work and being reg- 
ularly promoted until finally he undertook the 
operation of a colliery on his own account at 
Lykens, Dauphin County, Pa. He conducted 
the colliery a short time and in 1859 migrated 
to California, where he engaged in gold min- 
ing for six vears. Returning to Schuylkill 



750 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



County Mr. Savage became superintendent 
of a colliery at Gilherton, subsequently occu- 
pying a similar position in a colliery at Lykens 
operated by the Lykens \'alley Coal Com- 
l)any. Some time later the company, Savage 
Bros. & Kan ff man, was formed and took 
charge of and operated the Brookside Colliery 
at Tower City, the colliery being the largest 
one in the world. It is now owned bv the 
Phi!adeli)hia & Reading Coal & Iron Com- 
pany. \Vhen the colliery was sold to the Phil- 
adelphia & Reading company Mr. Savage en- 
tered the emi)loy of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe R. R. Co., as superintendent of a 
gang of men engaged in prospecting in var- 
ious parts of New Mexico for the railroad. 
He continued in that position until his death 
at Cimarron, New Mexico, on November lo, 
1 88 1. Mr. Savage married Elizabeth Ball, by 
whom he had se\en children, four sons and 
three daughters. Mrs. Savage also has passed 
to her final rest beyond earthly bounds. 

His primary scholastic training was ob- 
tained by Robert Henry Savage in the public 
schools of Tremont rmd subsequently he ac- 
quired a good English education in Lebanon 
Valley College at Auville. Having decided to 
become a dentist, Mr. Savage entered upon 
the study of his chosen profession and was so 
fortunate as to jilace himself under the pre- 
ceptorship of F. K. l-"ilbert, D. D. S.. a lead- 
ing practitioner of Pottsville, Pa., under 
whose direction he quickly acquired a good 
general knowledge of dentistry and fully pre- 
l)arcd himself to enter a dent.-il college. Un- 
fortunately his father, James Savage, met with 
linancial reverses and the son was compelled 
to defer his course in a dental college until 
such time as he had earned sufficient money 
to defray the e\[)enscs of a dental-college 
course. 

Deternn'ncd to succeed and to master his 



chosen profession Mr. Savage, in 1879, went 
to Selinsgrove, Snyder County, Pa., where, 
as assistant, he practiced his profession for 
two years under the direction of Dr. Van 
Buskirk. In 1881 Mr. Savage removed to 
Sunbury and served as assistant to Dr. C. M. 
Renn, with whom he remained until 1S84. 
when he entered upon practice alone, which 
he continued successfully for two years. In 
1886 he formed a co-partnership with Dr. 
Renn, the firm name being Renn & Savage, 
and this firm continued pleasantly and profit- 
ably for fi\-e years, when it was mutually dis- 
solved. Soon after separating from Dr. Renn 
Mr. Savage, in 1892, matriculated at the 
Pennsylvania Dental College in Philadel[)hia, 
and after taking a two years' course received 
the degree D. D. S.. in March, 1894. He re- 
turned to Sunbury after he was graduated 
from the college. He has by diligent atten- 
tion to the duties and details of his intricate 
and most inqiortant ])rofession and by his 
skilful practice and courtesx- built up a large 
and lucrati\-e clientage. 

Our subject is a member of the T\o\al Ar- 
canum and is identified with the Reformed 
Church. 

On July 12, 1883, Dr. Savage was united in 
marriage to .\delia l-'lorine Garing of Sun- 
bury, and to them two children have been 
born: Efifie, born Sei^tember 5, 1886. and Ma- 
mie, whose death cast ox'cr a happy Ixmie its 
first sorrow. 




LAP F. l-i'lRRlS.- Among the sclf- 
UKule men of Cohnnl)ia Count\' rnid. 
one of her foremost agriculturists, as 
well as a gentleman respected for his sterling 
worth and integrity, we take pleasure in men- 
tioning a few facts connected with the life of 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



751 



tlie gentleman whose name heads these lines 
He is a farmer by calling- and is engaged in 
the prosecution of his \ocation on his fine 
farm a few miles from the town of Berwick. 
He was born at Mahoopan)-, Wyoming Coun- 
ty, Pa., March 21, 1848, and is a son of Si- 
meon and Holy Ann (June) Ferris. 

Ransford Ferris, the great-grandfather of 
our subject, was one of the prominent farm- 
ers of Stamford, Conn., and spent his entire 
life in that occupation. He passed from this 
life about 1821. His wife was Lizzie June, 
and they were the parents of the following 
children: A\ery, Simeon. Alvin, Joseph, Deb- 
bie, Betsey, Lucetis, and Abigail. Simct)n 
Ferris, the grandf.-ithcr of our subject, was 
liorn at Stamford, Conn., and died at his home 
in Sussex County, N. J., September, 1S21. 
His occupation was that of a shoemaker, 
which he followed in ccmnection with farming. 
He was joined in marriage to Nancy Simmons 
and the following children blessed their home: 
Isaac, who moved to the West during his 
young manhood; Appollos, deceased, was a 
miller at Boontown, N. J.; Simeon, the father 
of our subject; John Calvin, a retired farmer 
residing at Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, 
Pa.; Abbie, deceased, who was the wife of 
Isaac Ward; Polly, deceased, who was the 
wife of Smith Lockwood, of Connecticut; 
Mary Ann, deceased, who was united in mar- 
riage to Rufus Lonsburg of Connecticut; 
Clarinda, deceased, who wedded \\'illiam 
Douglas of Lovelton, Pa.; Martha, widow of 
the late William T. Adams of Lovelton, Pa.; 
and Electa, deceased, w ho was the wife of Ed- 
win Lewis. 

Simeon Ferris, father of our subject, was 
born in Stamford, Conn., August 12, 1809, 
and during his boyhood days he worked with 
his father, learning the shoemaker's trade, 
which he followed in Susse.x County, N. J., 



until 1836, when he moved to Mahoopany, 
Wyoming County, Pa. He purchased a tract 
of land and engaged in general farming the 
rest of his active days. In religious views he 
was a devoted and consistent member of the 
Methodist Church. He exerted a great influ- 
ence for the good of the church and might be 
called the father of the Mahoopany Methodist 
Church. He entered the world of rest March 
7, 1875. He was joined in the bonds of wed- 
lock to Holy Ann June, and a family of tweKe 
children blessed their home, namely: Appol- 
los, who was born at W^anacpie, N. J., June 
14, 1828. and was a "stonemason and builder 
residing at Tunkhannock. Pa.; Daxid 1,., who 
was born at W ana(|ue. X. j., I'A-liruriry 25, 
1830. and was a car])entcr and builder of 
Tunkli.-iinuick, Pa.; .Michael, born November 
24, 1831, died August 12, 1860; Harriet, born 
at Liberty Corner, N. J., Xo\ember 23, 1833, 
and died April 25, 1855; Eliza Jane, born at 
Lil)erty Corner, N. J., November 4, 1835, 
widow of the late William Labor of Tunk- 
hannock, Pa.; Henry, born at Mahoopany, 
Pa., April 14, 1838, was a soldier in the 
Civil War, and died at Hamburg, Pa., De- 
cember 25, 1 861, after serving three months 
in Company B, 52nd Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf.; Le^i 
L., born March 1 1, 1840, enlisted in Company 
B, 52nd Reg.. Pa. \'oI. Inf., in September, 
1861, and was killed May 31, 1862, in the bat- 
tle of Fair Oaks. \^a., by a minie ball, which 
struck him above the right eye; Mary Emily, 
born June 28, 1842, who is the- widow' of the 
late John C. Fraley of Mahoopany, Pa.; 
Charles, born June 13. 1844, enhsted in the 
same company as did his two brothers, got as 
far as Alexandria, Va., when he was taken sick 
and was sent to the camp hospital, where he 
died April 20, 1864; Clarissa, born in Ma- 
hoopany, April 20, 1846, who is the wife of 
Frank Smith, a lumberman; and our subject. 



752 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Olaf F. Feni> \\;i> reared on his father's 
farm and altendcd school until he was twenty- 
one years of at^c. I Ic tlion K'arncd ihc trade of 
a carpenter, which he followed as a journey- 
man a numher of years; later he was a con- 
tractor and huilder at Nanticoke. l?a., for a 
jicriod of ten years. He then eniharked in 
the grocery husiness in the same town, and 
four years later, in 1857, he removed to his 
present farm, which consists of 2S8 acres of 
the best land in Briarcreek township. In ad- 
dition to carrying on farming he keeps a dairy 
and has a herd of fifteen head of thoroughbred 
Jersey cattle. lie also has a line poultry yard, 
which contains the following variety of chick- 
ens: golden wyandottes; silver laced wyan- 
dottes; bufT cochins; partridge cochins; bufif 
leghorn: and Indian game. 

Our subject is a member of the Wyoming 
Lodge No. 248, F. & A. M., and also is past 
master of the same lodge; Caldwell Consist- 
ory, S. P. R. S.. N. M. 4. of Pdoomsburg; 
Berwick Lodge, L O. O. F., and grand past 
master of Warrior Run Lodge, L O. O. F., 
of Nanticoke, Pa.; Berwick Castle No. 20, 
K. of G. K.: and in religious views he is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church. Po- 
litically Mr. Ferris is a firm Republican and 
has ser\ed in the town council. January 7. 
1875, he was united in the bonds of matri- 
mony to Martha Fairchild, a daughter of the 
late John Fairchild, a farmer of Nanticoke, 
Pa. To this union four children were l)orn: 
Ada A., John Horace, Martha Elizabeth, and 
Olaf Carleton, all of whom reside at home 
with their parents. 



(^ OIIN G. HARMAN,* the popular dis- 
trict attorney of Columbia Count}", is 
an enterprising young lawyer, wlio, al- 
though lie has had but a few years' practice, 



gives ])njmisc of future greatness. He was 
born in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, 
March 16, 1873, and is a son of Peter S. and 
Rebecca (iM-eeze) ILarman. His paternal 
grandfather was George Harman, who was 
born in Northumberland County, Pa., Init set- 
tled in Mifflin township, Columbia County, 
in 1833. ICarly in life he learned the trade of 
a tanner, rmd after locating in Orangeville he 
purchased and operated a tannery for many 
years. He folded his hands in linal rest at the 
age of eighty-three years. He clu)se as his 
companion in life Mary Knorr, b\- whom he 
had a large family of children, one of whom 
was Peter S. Harman. 

Peter S. Harman, the father of our subject, 
when thirteen years of age left the parental 
roof to make his way in the world. He learned 
the trade of a molder, serving an apprentice- 
ship under Louis H. Mans of Bloomsburg, 
after which he followed that occupation as a 
journeyman for two )'ears in several cities in 
the West. Upon returning East he located 
in Philadelphia, where ft)r three years he was 
engaged in the same line of work. He con- 
ducted a machine shop and foundry at Ma- 
hanoy for three years. He then moved to 
Bloomsburg and formed a partnership with 
B. F. .Sharpless, and they conducted a foundry 
for four years, after which he conducted it 
alone for tvvo years. In 1875, in company 
with George Hassert, a skilled mechanic, Mr. 
Harman bought the old Barton farm, upon 
which they erected a building and began the 
manufacture of stoves, plows, and mining 
cars. Their success was innnediate and the 
business grew with such rapidil\- that it was 
necessary to enlarge the plant in 1879, and 
thev have since given em]iloyment to sixty 
h.inds the year around. It is one of the prin- 
cipal industries in the vicinity. When the ele- 
vator works failed. Mr. Harman was one of the 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



53 



first to advance the necessary capital to place 
it on its feet again and revive the business in- 
terests of the town. He purchased a house 
and lot of John Penman on Iron street and 
l)uilt a fine residence, in which he and his fam- 
ily lia\'e since resided. In 1856 he married 
Rehecca Freeze, a daughter of James and 
Frances (Goss) Freeze, and they became the 
happy parents of seven children, a record of 
whom is as follows: Frank F., who died at 
the age of five years; Howard F., who died 
at the age of three; Grace, the wife of Daniel 
Butler; Fanny, wife of William E. Hartman; 
Jennie, who married Amos H. Stroh; James 
Lee, who married Jessie Kimble, was an ap- 
prentice to the trade of a molder, but is now 
the bookkeeper of his father's firm; Mary, 
who is at home; John G., in whom the inter- 
est of this sketch centers; and Paul Z., a stu- 
dent at the Bloomsburg State Normal School. 
Politically ]\Ir. Ilarman was originally a 
Whig, but is now an imswerving Republican; 
he has served on the town council for three 
terms and has been president of it for four 
years. Religiously he is a liberal supi^orter 
of the Episcopal Church. He is very promi- 
nent socially, being past master of Washing- 
ton Lodge, No. 265, F. & A. M., past high 
priest of Bloomsburg Chapter, No. 218, R. A. 
M.; past E. AI. T. commander of Crusade 
Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar; and 
V. G. treasurer of Zerrubabel Council, P. of J. 
John G. Harman. after completing the re- 
quired course in the public schools, attended 
the State Normal School at Bloomsliurg, from 
which institution he graduated with the class 
of 1891. He then read law under Col. John 
G. Freeze, one of the most distinguished law- 
yers of Columliia County, and was admitted 
to the l)ar in May, 1894. He immediately 
was taken in as a partner to his former pre- 
ceptor, Col. Freeze, and they have since prac- 



ticed together. Being an earnest and elo- 
quent pleader, our sul)ject rose rapidly in his 
chosen profession to a position of prominence. 
In September, 1896, he was a])])ointed district 
attorney to succeed T. B. Hanlcy. He com- 
pleted the term of office in a satisfactor_\- man- 
ner, and January i, 1897, was elected to that 
office, which he has creditably filled since. 

Mr. Harman was united in hymeneal bonds 
to Mary Sherwood, daughter (jf H. G. Slier-, 
wood of Bloomsburg, who is loved by a large 
circle of friends for her many estimable traits 
of character. 




EV. GEORGE J. BRECKEL,- who 
is faithfully discharging the duties of 

}p V^ ^ pastor of St. Joseph's Church of 
Milton, Northumberland County, Pa., and of 
St. Michael's Church at Sunbury, is a man 
in whom every member of his parish unhesi- 
tatingly reposes confidence, and one whom 
everybody esteems. He is a son of Francis 
and Mary Annie (Klute) Breckel, and was 
born in Lancaster, Pa., September 8, 1870. 

Francis Breckel, the father of our subject, 
was born in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, 
German\-, September i, 1824. and after re- 
ceiving a good education learned the trade of 
a baker. He soon after came to America and 
located in Philadelphia, and sul)sequently in 
Lancaster, Pa., where he followed his trade, 
after some time entering business on his own 
account. He contracted what is known as 
baker's consumption and was obliged to give 
up his bakery, but he purchased a small \ncce 
of land in the suburbs, on which he erected 
a home, and there lived until his death, March 
9, 1875. Politically he was a Democrat. He 
was united in marriage with Mary Annie 
Klute, who was born in the town of Olendorf, 



754 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Armsberg, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, 
December 25, 1825. Slie was left an orphan 
at an early age and came to this country, mak- 
ing her home at Lancaster, where she married 
Mr. Ercckcl. Their union resulted in the fol- 
lowing issue: Rev. Francis I^. ; Tressia, wdio 
died at the age of twenty-one; Mary, who 
died at the age of nine years; Margaret and 
Elizabeth, twins, who died in infancy; Sophia, 
wife of D. Gochenour of Lancaster; John, de- 
ceased; and George J., the subject of tliis 
biographical record. 

Rev. George J. I'.reckel obtained his prelim- 
inary training in the parochial school at St. 
Joseph's, Lancaster, and was preiored for the 
ministry at St. \'incent's, entering in 1885, 
and taking a com|)lete classical, philosophical 
and theological course of study. On July iC), 
1896, he was ordained to the priesthood by 
Rt. Rev. Thomas McGovern, Bisho]) of Har- 
risburg. at the Cathedral, a nepliew of the 
Bishop being ordained at the same time. He 
was shortl}' after called to his first charge, as 
pastor of St. Joseph's Church at Milton and 
of St. Michael's at Sunburv, and has contiiuied 
as such up to the ])resent time. 

Among the earliest settlers of Milton were 
many Catholics, and the first religious services 
held in the \alley of the West liranch were 
held by them innnediately after the close of 
the Revolutionary \\'ar. Thev were held in 
an old log hut which was erected for that pui'- 
pose on the farm of Martin Kiefifer, and it is 
recorded that some of the old Catholics of 
Turbot township were buried there as far back 
as 1787. A missionary priest occasionally vis- 
ited the settlement to celebrate mass, instruct 
and baptize the children, and ])reach the word 
of God to the little congregation, thus keep- 
ing alive the spark of Catholic faith in the 
hearts of those pioneer families. About four 
acres of land for parochial and burial purposes 



were deeded to Rev. Francis Neale of George- 
tow n, D. C, by John and Margaret KiefFer 
May 13, 1805, adjoining the place of worship, 
which was destroved by fire May 14, 1880. On 
March i, 1882. Father Gauss, who was then 
pastor, bought the property previously known 
as the old .Vcademy Hill, lying south and east 
of the old parochial residence built by his 
predecessor, and upon the exact site of the 
academy he erected the present church at a 
! total expense of $10,000. He subsequently 
laid out the grounds in lawns antl terraces, and 
the property is now one of the handsomest in 
Milton. The building is in thorough harmony 
with the best and most appro\ed ideas of 
Gothic architecture. It is conspicuously lo- 
cated on one of the historic spots in Milton, 
■iround which cluster many of the tenderest 
ties and most sacred memories of pioneer 
days. 

St. Michael's Church at Sunbury. a mission 
connected with St. Joseph's parish, had its be- 
ginning in the autunm of 1863, as a result of 
the efforts of Rev. J. J. Koch, who had pre- 
viously conducted services at the home of a 
Mr. McNamara, which stood on the site of 
the Pennsvh'ania depot, and in the home of 
John Lea\'y, on Fourth street. At the latter 
place he conducted ser\-ices once e\'cry month 
until 1866, when he was called to Shamokin. 
During this time he collected suliscriptions 
amounting to $300, which formed the nucleus 
of the fund subsecpiently used in purchasing 
the property on which the church now stands. 
Rev. Arthur ]\IcGinnis of Danville acted as 
pastor during the following two xears, but 
since that time the pastors of Milton have had 
charge. About this time Maj. Malone made 
a grand effort toward securing a permanent 
place of worship, and as a result of his en- 
deavors and those of his able assistant. Rev. 
Michael McBride of Harrisburg, enough 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



755 



money was olitained to purchase the old 
MethoiHst Clnircli on Arcli street in 1872, the 
l)urchase price amounting to $3,500. It was 
at once fitted up for Catliolic worship and was 
dedicated by Bishop Shanahan, and services 
ha\e since been held there weekly. Rev. Dan- 
iel Maher succeeded Father Ganss as pastor 
of St. Joseph's, and he in turn was succeeded 
by Rev. Thomas Hayes, who was relieved by 
the present pastor. 

Father Breckel is a learned, zealous and 
energetic priest, and although he has been 
connected with the parish but a few years, he 
has the entire confidence of all who have been 
so fortunate as to know him. He is especially 
popular among the younger members of the 
congregation and is at all times devoted to 
their interests and ready to encourage and 
foster every laudable enterprise that will ad- 
\ance them. In season and out of season he 
has been assiduous in his labors for the eleva- 
tion of his flock, and all ages and conditions 
have been the objects of his pastoral care. 
Whilst there he has made improvements in 
many ways, and his good work, perseverance 
and excellent business methods have made 
him a host of admirers, not only among his 
parishioners but the people in general who ap- 
preciate the learned priest for his strict integ- 
rity. In the cause of teiuperance he has taken 
an advanced position and his work in this line 
has been most gratifying to him in its happy 
success. 



AVID HOOVER,* a retired farmer 

and carpenter of Snydertown, Pa., was 

born in Shamokin township on the old 

Hooxer homestead, October 16, 1846. He is 

a son of Samuel and Sarah (Lees) Hoover. 

Samuel Hoover, our subject's father, was 



B 



born in Shamokin township August 26, 1806, 
and died February 26, 1872. His wife, Sarah 
(Lees) Hoover, was born in Northumberland 
County. November 12, 1804, and survived her 
husband but one month, dying March 27, 
1872. They were the parents of nine children, 
namely: Sarah, born March 24. 1833, married 
William Reed, now a retired farmer, and they 
live at Reed's Station, Shamokin township; 
John, now deceased, was born August 27, 
■ 1834; Jacob, now a retired hardware mer- 
chant and farmer, was born April 11, 1836, 
married Ella Shrives, and lives in Bushnell, 
111.; Margaret, now deceased, was born 
March 13, 1836, married Lafayette Savage, 
who lives at Snydertown; Mary A., born Jan- 
uary 10, 1840, married Edison Wolverton and 
lives at Holton, Kansas; Louisa, now de- 
ceased, born March 28, 1842, married Lafay- 
ette Savage; Eli, born March 16, 1844, mar- 
ried Emma Wolverton, and li\es at Riverside, 
Pa.; David, our subject; and Harriet, l:)orn 
January 31, 1849, who is single and lives in 
Snydertown, Pa. All of the children were 
educated in the common schools. In early 
life Samuel Hoover was a cooper by trade 
and at a later period followed tanning and also 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was 
with his brother Joseph in the tanning busi- 
ness in Shamokin township for thirty years, 
but sold out in 1867 and bought a farm upon 
which he lived the remainder of his life. He 
was overseer of the poor and held many town- 
ship ofKces. Socially he was a member of the 
I. O. O. F. lodge at Snydertown. He very 
generously gave his financial aid to the erec- 
tion of the Lutheran Church of which he was 
a member and his good works and active life 
made him very well known in that part of the 
county. 

David Hoover, our subject, received a good 
education in the common schools and then, at 



756 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



the age of seventeen, went to Danville, Pa., 
where he learned the carpenter'-s trade and 
worked at it for three years. He was married 
February 25. 1875. to Kate Reabiick, a native 
of Rush townsliip, and a daughter of John 
and Saliie (Ressler) Reabuck of Mahanoy 
township, Northumberland County. The 
former s])ent his life in agricultural pursuits 
;nid in 1S31 niuved to Rush township, where 
he Udw lives. Our subject and wife have one 
son, John Samuel, who was born November 
lo, i8(;o. 

Mr. I loover li\cd on his father's farm, while 
he also worked at the carpenter's trade, until 
he moved to his present home in 1898. He is 
the owner of one of the most beautiful homes, 
with all the modern imjirovements, in that sec- 
lion ol tlu' count)-, lie connnenced building 
it in i8()(i and brought it to its iiual comple- 
tion in 1878. He still owns the old farm of 
about eighty acres, which he now rents. For 
several \ears he has been a member of the 
school board; has served as chief burgess of 
Snydertown borough; ;md ab.o as overseer 
of the poor. In ])olitical views he is a Demo- 
crat. The I,utheran Church has found in him 
a worthy ;uid active member and li;is honored 
him with many offices, which he has accept- 
ably filled. His industry and careful dealings 
have made him very successful and he is con- 
sidered one of the most po]>ular and esteemed 
citizens of .Snsdertow n. 



R. WALLACE JOSEPH RAN- 
DALL,* deceased, was a gentleman 
widely known throughout Sullivar. 
County, and for many years was the only 
practitioner of metlicine in the borough of 
Forksvillc. He was a son of Orrin Randall, 



B 



and was l)orn at Columliia Cross Roads, Brad- 
ford County, Pa., January 16, 1835. 

Dr. Randall was educated in the public 
schools of Elmira. He took up the study of 
medicine with Dr. Axtel of Troy, Pa., later 
being admitted to practice. He then ])rac- 
ticed with his ]3receptor at Troy until about 
i8f.u, when he located at Forksville, Sullivan 
County, continuing there until his death. 
Ambitious by nature, he continued to study 
iluring practice and olitained a wonderful 
knowledge of medical .science and great skill 
in the treatment of his cases. Being the only 
physician in that vicinity, his practice assumed 
vast ])roportions. Many of his i)atients lived 
at distant places necessitating long and hard 
dri\es ;dinost e\ery day. but being of excei)- 
tionally sti-ong constitution he withstood the 
strain for years. His constitution fmally was 
im])aire(l and typhoid fever 'setting in he was 
obliged to take to his bed, but he believed 
that it would be Init a short time before he 
would be about again. However, he never 
rallied and passed away on October 3, 188 r, 
lea\ing a f.amily and scores of friends to 
mourn his loss. The doctor had been very 
successful financially, and was the owner of 
large real estate interests. .\s ra])idl\- as he 
could earn the money, he would in\esl it to 
advantage and in this he alvva\s displaved 
the best of judgment and unusual foresight^ 
.\t the time of his death he owned the noted 
hotel Eagle Mere, and manv acres of choice 
lanil there. He owned what is known as the 
John Ijrown farm, which he impro\ed in 
many respects, making it a very valuable 
property. He also owned a number of large 
timber tracts. I le ]iurchased the John Brown 
residence on liridge street in l-'orksville, 
where Mrs. Randall now resides, and in which 
he had his office. Just prior to his last sick- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



757 



ness he had a cellar almost completed for a 
new store aiii! nftice l)uililing. whirli lie plan- 
neil to be built on a lot adjoining his residence. 
After his death Mrs. Randall carried out his 
I)lans and erected a tine business block, and 
also built a new house, which he e.Kpected to 
erect, on the farm. 

Mrs. Randall was burn January 2(). 1843, 
and is a daughter of Wheeler and Hannah 
(Ball) Green of Hillsgrove, Pa., and her union 
with Dr. Randall was blessed with the follow- 
ing children: William F., a physician practic- 
ing at Dushore. who was born February 7, 
1867, and married Delia Fleming, by whom 
he has a son. Ralph; Esther M., born Novem- 
ber 16, 1869. who married Rev. Charles 
Schaubacher, a minister of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church of Pennelton Center; Moses 
L., of Lincoln Falls, Pa., born January 22, 
1873. who marned Nellie Osier, and they 
ha\-e one son, Milton; John W., born August 
8, 1876; Washington E., a drug clerk, who 
was born November 9. 1878; and Maude, 
born March 26, 1880. Socially our subject 
was a member of Sullixan Lodge No. 522, L 
O. O. F. In politics he was a Republican; in 
religious belief he was liberal. 




^ REDERICK W\ V. LORENZ,* a 
German of great ability and enter- 
prise, and a civil engineer by profes- 
sion, is just in the prime of life and has had 
(piite an interesting career. He came to Amer- 
ica in October. 1877. but remained in the 
L'nited States less than one year, departing 
for Brazil on June 2, 1878, with some friends 
and a corps of men employed by Philadelphia 
capitalists to construct a railroad in South 
America. After sojourning in that tropical 
region for several months and having varied 



and exciting e.xperiences he decided to retin"n 
to the United States, which he accordingly 
did in 1879. Inmiediately after his return he 
was employed by the Philadelphia & Reading 
Railroad Company for some time, subsequent- 
ly entering the service of the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company. He remained with these 
two companies until 1886, deciding at that 
lime to work at his chosen profession, that of 
civil engineer. For several years he continued 
to work at engineering and surveying, and did 
a great deal of special work, prominent among 
which may be mentioned the large railroad 
bridge spanning Shamokin Creek and two 
railroads. The construction of this substan- 
tially-built bridge was in the sole charge of 
our subject and was built conjointly by the 
Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company 
and Northern Central Railway Company, 
costing $40,000. It is a magnificent structure 
and Air. I>orenz justly deserves the reputation 
he secured by this piece of work. The bridge 
is of modern construction and contains the 
very best materials obtainable. Our subject 
located in Shamokin permanently in 1882, be- 
ing called there to assist his uncle, W. Lorenz, 
chief engineer of the Reading system, in 
building the Sunbury and Shamokin dixision 
of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad. Dur- 
ing 1895 and 1896 he was city engineer of 
Shamokin. 

Our subject was born in Burgsteinfurf, 
Westphalia, Germany, December 26. 1853, 
and is a son of Victor and Augusta (Drost) 
Lorenz. He received his education in the 
high schools and colleges of Germanx'. 

\'ictor Lorenz, father of our subject, has 
held a high and. important position in his na- 
tive country, Germany, wdiere he still resides. 
He has an interesting life-history and is now 
enjoving the comforts of an independent com- 
petency in old age and is the faithful and be- 



758 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



loved friend of his emplojer. He was born 
October 13. 1H33. and was educated in tlie 
scliools of Cjierniany. At the age of twenty- 
five years he accepted tlic high and honorable 
|)osition of counsellor to the Prince of Ben- 
theini Stcinfurt, of the (Jernian nobilit}-, and 
lias held that important and lucrati\c ])osition 
ever since: in fact, he has been in the ser\ice 
of the i'rince for about fifty \cars, and the 
family counsellor of eight children, wlio love 
and respect him, not as their servant, but as 
their friend, h^ew can lioast of having been 
so intiniatel)- connected with people of such 
rank, and our subject is justly i.)roud of his 
father. 

Frederick \\ . \'. Lcjrenz was united in mar- 
riage, b\- the beautiful Episcopal service, with 
Clary i)eur\ , a daughter of Christian Beury, 
of Shamokin, Pa., on June 25, 1884. They 
now ha\e two bright and attractive daugh- 
ters: Helen V>.. liorn .\ugust 30, 1885: and 
Nancy L., born July 17, 1887. These daugh- 
ters, just entering their teens, are a source of 
pride and gratification to their parents, who 
are rearing them in accordance with the doc- 
trines of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of 
which Mr. Lorenz is a vestrvman. 



— ♦ •-♦- 



SWEISFORT, D. D. S.,* of Danville, 
whose handsome dental parlors is at 
the corner of Mills and Mahoning 
streets, is one of the enterprising and pro- 
gressive business men of the borough. He 
is a son of Jonas Sweisfort, and was Ijorn in 
Gilbertsville, Douglas township, Montgom- 
ery County, Pa., December 19, 1839. 

Jonas Sweisfort, the father of our subject, 
was born ni the state of Pennsylvania, and 
early in life was the proprietor of a hotel, but 
later, after settling in Montgomery County, 



he was largely interested in the lumber busi- 
ness. He married a Miss Whitman, antl they 
reared a large family of children. 

After completing his education in the pub- 
lic schools Dr. Sweisfort decided to adopt the 
professit)n of a dentist, and went to Philadel- 
phia, where he began to study, but when the 
Civil War began he immediately enlisted in 
Company C, 3rd Reg., Pa. Vol. Cav. He 
served for three years and twenty-four days 
as sergeant, and after receiving his discharge 
returned to Philadelphia to resume his studies. 
Upon taking his degree as dentist he imme- 
diately entered upon a practice in Danville. 
He was successful and soon established a large 
general practice, although his greatest suc- 
cess has been in tlie manufacture of sets of 
false teeth and in bridge work. He is up-to- 
date in his methods and ranks among the first 
in skill and general ability; by careful and 
conscientious work he has built up a practice 
which we may safely declare with no fear of 
successful contradiction to be the finest in 
Montour County. He is actix'ely interested 
in the progress and enterprise of Danville, 
lieing a member of the town council and a 
member of the board of trustees of the Thom- 
as Beaver Free Library, for which he has 
selected and purchased nearly all of the 
books. In 1879 ''c ^^''s made a member of the 
national guard organization at Danville, oi 
which he was lieutenant iuv man_\- years, but 
later was lieutenant-colonel. 

Dr. Sweisfort was united in the holy bonds 
of wedlock with Hannah, a daughter of John 
Everett of Montour Countw and the_\' are the 
parents of two children: Lucy E., deceased; 
and Gussie May. Socially he is a member 
of Mahoning Lodge, No. 516, F. & A. M., 
and of Goodrich Post, No. 22, G. A. R. He 
and his w^orthy wife are members of the Re- 
formed Church. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



7^9 




B. FISHER,* wliose reputation 
tliroughout Norlliiimli(.'rlaiiil Cdun- 
ty is well estaljlisiied, is the proprie- 
tor of the Neversiiik Tlouse at Tresorton, Pa. 
He is a son of Valentine and Rebeeea (Brit- 
ton) Fisher, and was born Xoxeniber Ji, 1849, 
in Berks County, Pa. 

Valentine Fisher was born in Berks Coun- 
ty, Pa., about 1825, and nioxed to Trevorton 
in \i>(^^. where he has followed the tinner's 
trade duriiii^' all of his aetive life. His wife 
died in 1888. They were blessed with ten 
ehildren. 

Z. Bi. Fisher, the subjeet of this biography, 
was a mere boy when his parents moved to 
Tre\orton. ^Vt the age of sixteen he beeame 
a slate-picker, being under the employ of the 
I'agleys, and at the age of eighteen he began 
mining. Most of his experience has been as 
a contract miner, and he is now engaged most 
of the time at North Franklin Mine No. 2, 
w ith the Philadelphia & Reading Coal & Iron 
Company. In 1882 he erected a fine hotel in 
Trevorton, now known as the Neversink 
House. It is a large, commodious building, 
three stories high, 50 foot front and 65 feet 
in depth. Adjoining this well-known hotel is 
]\Ir. Fisher's residence, which is also three 
stories high, 28 foot front and 48 feet deep. 
These two buildings do much to improve the 
appearance of the town. Politically Mr. Fish- 
er is a Democrat and has been very active in 
township affairs; he was constable for two 
terms and overseer of the poor two terms. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F. No. 528 of 
Trevorton; Knights of the Golden Eagle 
Castle No. 455; and P. O. S. of A., Camp 
No. 156. 

Mr. Fisher married Kate Yordy, daughter 
of Jacob Yordy of Trevorton, Pa. For many 
years Mr. Yordy was justice of the peace and 
was postmaster in i860. He also taught 



school many years in Trevorton and in the 

lownshii). Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have been 
Ijlessetl with nine children, as follows: Archi- 
bald; Clyde; B.ert; Valentine; Mabel; and 
Vernon, all at home; Maud, deceased; Flora 
Irene; and Zephaniah. 



'■'C^/^Ll.lAM V. CRUIi 
VfeV popular and efficie 



KSHANK,- the 
lent superintend- 
ent of the casting department of the 
Jackson & Woodin Manufacturing Company, 
is a skille<l mechanic, who has the supervision 
of the work of 200 men. He was born in 
Pottsville, Schuylkill County. Pa., aud is a 
.son of James and Margaret (McFarland) 
Cruikshank. 

James Cruikshank, the father of our subject, 
was a molder by trade, and followed it during 
his entire life. He had fifty years' experience 
in that line of work and, l)eing an apt and 
conscientious worker, he acquired a great deal 
of skill. He and Margaret McFarland took 
the matrimonial vows and they became the 
parents of a family of children, one of whom 
is William Y., the subject of this personal his- 
tory. Mrs. Cruikshank closed her eyes in 
tlnal sleep at the age of forty-seven years, and 
her husband died at the age of seventy-three 
years. 

William Y. Cruikshank received his educa- 
tion in the common schools, after wdiich he 
learned the trade of a molder with his father, 
and soon after was appointed superintendent 
of the Lebanon Manufacturing Company of 
Lebanon. In 1894 he was called to his pres- 
ent position as superintendent of the casting 
department of The Jackson & Woodin Manu- 
facturing Compan\', which, when running 
regularly, uses from 150 to 200 tons of pig 
iron dail}-. Our subject has won the confi- 



760 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



dence of his employers, who regard him as one 
of the most reliable and faithful men in their 
cm])loy. He always pays the strictest atten- 
tion to his business duties, and in private life 
he is always looked upon with fa\or and is a 
highly respected citizen. 

Mr. Cruikshank was united in marriage to 
Jennie Hunter, a daughter of Alexander Hun- 
ter, and they are the i)roud i)arents of six chil- 
dren, as follows: William II., deceased; Alex- 
ander, a molder by trade; Mary, who married 
J. C. Lynn; James K. and John C, twins, 
who have just graduated from Berwick High 
School; and Margaret, deceased. In religious 
attachments the members of the family are 
members of the Methodist Episco])al Church. 
Socially our subject is a Mason. 




OX. JA.MI-S FOSTER,* chief bur- 
ess of the borough of Danville, 
i\b)ntour County, and general 
manager of the Danville Stove Manufacturing 
Company, which is the largest stove company 
in the eastern part of the state, was born 
March 18, 1842, and is a son of Thompson 
and Eliza (Irwin) Foster. 

Thompson Foster was of Scotch-Irish ex- 
traction, and was born in North Ireland. His 
trade was that of a blacksmith and mechanic, 
w hich he had learned during his younger days, 
lie left his native country and came to the 
LMiited States, locating in Pittsburg, Pa., 
where he followed his trade a short time, and 
then moved to l)an\ille, Montour County, 
Pa. He next was connected with the mam- 
moth l)lacksmith shops of the iron works of 
Danville, where he remained many years, 
A\hen he retired from the active duties of life 
and moved to Philadelphia, where he died at 
the age of seventy-nine years. He was joined 



in marriage to Elizabeth Irwin, a native of 
Xorth Ireland, and they were the parents of 
the t'ollowing children: .Mexander; Elizabeth; 
James, the subject of this sketch; Jennie; 
Thomjjson; Thomas; and Frances. Mr. Fo.s- 
ter served as councilman of Danville and 
as a director of the ]nil)lic schools. 

Our subject received his elementary educa- 
tion in the public schools of Danville and 
then worked with his father, learning the trade 
of a blacksmith. In 1862 he enlisted in Com- 
pany A, 132(1 Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., for a term 
of nine months, but at the expiration of that 
time he re-enlisted and served throughout the 
close of the war. The most noted battles in 
which our subject partici])ated were Antietam, 
in which he was wounded; Chancell<jrs\ille; 
and I'redericksburg. At the close of the war 
he was a member of the 194th Regiment, of 
which he was first lieutenant; he was honor- 
al)ly discharged in 1865, I)ut again re-eidisted 
in the 214th Regiment, which was discharged 
in March, 1866. Returning to Danville, he 
look up his former trade, which he followed 
uiUil 1882. On .\ugust /th of that year the 
Danville Stove Manufacturing Company was 
organized, with the following officers: Henry 
Vincent, president; our subject, superintend- 
ent: and W. J. Bald\', treasurer. They pur- 
chased the De Long Foundry, which they op- 
erated at first on a small scale, but the busi- 
ness increased so rapidly they were oljliged to 
enlarge their plrnit; acconhngl}'. they erected 
a large five-story structure 238 feet long, and 
they now employ a force of i qo men. The 
present officers are \V. B. Chamberlain, presi- 
dent: James Foster, general manager; J. .\. 
Yorks, treasurer; and J. C. Lynn, secretary. 
Our subject is also traveling salesman, and has 
established agents in all the principal cities 
east of the Mississippi River. The company 
manuf;icturcs the well-known Beaver Steel 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



761 



Plate Furnace, in which citlier Ijiluniinous 
or anthracite coal may be used; also parlor 
and cooking ranges. 

James Foster was united in marriage to 
]\Iary Gulick, a native of ])an\ille. and a 
daughter of Isaac Gulick, who comes from 
the oldest families of Montour County. The 
following children have blessed the home of 
our subject and wife: John, a prominent shoe 
merchant of Danville; Elizabeth; Phoebe, 
ileceased; Jennie; Alexander, a bookkeeper; 
and James, deceased. Mr. Foster is a mem- 
ber of St. Paul's Methodist Church, of which 
he is steward and a trustee; also superintend- 
ent of the Sabbath School. He is a member 
of Calumet Lodge No. 279, I. O. O. F., and is 
a member of Goodrich Post No. 22, G. A. R., 
of Danville, of which order he served four 
years as district deputy. Our subject was one 
of a conuuittee to organize the Dau\ille Wa- 
ter Works and was secretary and superintend- 
ent of the same for many years. Pie owns a 
fine residence on Walnut street and other 
property in Dan\ille. 



(sft LBERT E. THOMPSON,* mine fore- 
^^ man at Henry Clay Colliery at Sham- 
^ * V.^- okin. has occupied that important 
situation since the autunm of 188S. He was 
born in 1862 in Somersetshire, England, and 
is the eldest son of Silas and Jane (Gass) 
Thompson. He was brought to this country 
by his parents at the age of three years, at- 
tended the common schools until nine years 
of age, and then went to work in the break- 
ers and continued until he attaineil the age 
of fifteen. For a couple of years after that he 
worked in and about the mines, subsequently 
becoming a miner, working in the Schuylkill 
region and other places until he became of 



age, when he was promoted to fire-boss at 
Stanton Colliery, (lilljerton. Pa. He labored 
in that capacity at different places until 1888, 
when he was appointed foreman at Henry 
Clay Colliery. 

Silas Thomiison, father of our subject, im- 
migrated in 1865, locating at New Philadel- 
phia, Schuylkill County, Pa., and at once en- 
gaged in mining. He subsequently worked as 
a miner at Shenandoah in 1869; at Gilberton 
in 1875; became a mine foreman in 1880 at 
Stanton Colliery at Gilberton; from 1884 to 
1886 was operating Chumberton Colliery on 
a small scale; located in Shamokin in 1891 
and remained there until his death in 1895. 
He was a consistent member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and was associated 
with the I. O. O. F.; Knights of Pythias; and 
Eagle Sons of St. Lawrence. His widow sur- 
vives him. Their family consisted of three 
sons and three daughters, besides one who 
died in infancy, as follows: Alfred, subject of 
this sketch; Helen, wife of William Boone, of 
Gilberton; Carrie, widow of Jacob Turner, of 
St. Clair; Frederick, who died young; Willis, 
who resides at Shamokin and is engaged in 
clerking; and \'i<ila. who is at home, the com- 
fort of her mother, to whom she is de\ otedly 
attached. 

April 3. 1889, our subject was united in 
marriage with Sarah A. Beese, who was born 
November 2^. 1863, and is a daughter of 
Solomon and Martha (Head) Beese. Her 
parents are natives of Wales and immigrated 
to America the same year that Sarah w-as 
born, locating in St. Clair, where the aged 
father still r(;sides. having followed the occu- 
pation of a miner all his life. Tw ice have our 
subject and his wife been blessed with a child 
and twice has the Grim Messenger deprived 
them of the same; first a son, George Fred- 
erick, born November 2, 1890, died July 11, 



7f!2 



HOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



NS94: secondly, (juy Daiiicl, \)uvu June i, 
1892; died August 2. 1892. 

Mr. Tliompson is a member of the Colum- 
bia Tin Company of St. Clair. He is a mem- 
ber of St. Clair I.odge, Xo. 255, I. O. O. F., 
and of the Elks of Shamokin. 



M 



i. K1:L1!I':.\ IIoIJJ'LXB.VCK,* a 
leadini;- dentist of Shamokin, Pa., is a 
son of Daniel antl ]'21izabeth (Sherry) 
I lollenback. Me was born Sei^tember i, 1841, 
in Lower Augusta township, near Sunbury, 
Pa., where he was reared. At the age of six- 
teen years he began to teach school and con- 
tinued in that occu])ation for si.\ years, teach- 
ing in Coal township and Shamokin. 

While teaching our subject took up the 
stu<ly of the dental profession under the tute- 
lage of Dr. B. F. Van Boskirk of Selinsgrove, 
Snyder County, Pa. He entered the Penn,syl- 
\ania Dental College in Philadelphia in 1877, 
and after graduating from that institution re- 
moved to Shamokin where he since has resid- 
ed and has continuously practiced his profes- 
sion, now possessing a large clientage which 
he has secured by the excellence of his dental 
work, his uniform courtes}- and his painstak- 
ing ciTorl to keep abreast with every progres- 
si\-e and modern method in dentistrx-. 

Politically our subject is a staunch Repul)- 
lican and has for years been active in the in- 
terest of his party. He has been a member of 
the common council of Shamokin, in which he 
now represents the Third Ward, and he served 
for one year as president of the bodw Dr. 
Hollenback ne\er sought public ofhce, ex- 
cepting when he yielded to the wishes of his 
many friends and consented to become a coun- 
cilman. He is a member of St. John's Re- 
formed Church. 



Our subject twice has been married, his first 
marriage being to Dorothea, daughter of Mi- 
chael M. Sober, who resided in the Irish \'al- 
ley. Xorthumberland County. Mrs. Dorothea 
Hollenback died October 24. 1887, leaving 
three children, as follows: A\'illiam S., who is 
a resident of Reading, Pa., and a piano-tuner 
by occu])ati()n: Hudson, a dentist practicing 
in Mount Carmel. Pa., who graduated from 
the I'enn.sylvania Dental College in Philadel- 
l)liia in iSyi ; and l''dwin F., also a dentist, a 
graduate of the Penn.sylvania Dental College 
from which he received his diploma in 1892, 
then eng.-igiiig in practice with his father un- 
til 1898. when he estaljlished an independent 
ofHcc in Shamokin, Pa. Dr. Reuben Hollen- 
back was married December 6. t888, to Savil- 
!a, daughter of William Fidler of Shamokin, 
and to them ha\e been born two children, 
HaiTv l-'ranklin, aged eight years, rmd Flora 
Lillian, aged six years. 

Dr. D. S. Hollenback. l>rother of our sub- 
ject, a prominent ])hysician and surgeon of 
Shamokin. was born May 26. 1836, in Lower 
.\ugusta township, Northumberland County, 
being the eldest son of Daniel and Elizabeth 
(Sherry) Hollenback. He was educated in 
the township schools and at Freeburg .\cad- 
emy, subse<|uently studied medicine in the of- 
hce of Dr. Eyster, now of Sun1)ur_\-. Pa., and 
was graduated from the Jefferson ^Medical 
College in Philadelphia, in April, i8f)4. Soon 
after his graduation from Jefferson College 
Dr. Hollenback entered u])on the practice of 
medicine and surgery in Shamokin, where he 
since has resided and has become one of the 
leading practitioners of the count}'. 1 le mar- 
ried Clara, daughter of Isaac Sober of Sham- 
okin townshi]), and to them has been born one 
child, William W' . Dr. Hollenback is an ard- 
ent Republican, but ne\er has been a seeker 
of ofifice and has held only one public position. 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



763 



that of director of the poor, which he most ac- 
ceptably filled in 1876. Dr. Hollenback is a 
leading member of St. John's Reformed 
Church of Shamokin. He is widely known 
as one of the oldest practitioners of medicine 
in Northumberland County that are now ac- 
tively engaged in their profession. 



-OHX J. WEBSTER* is one of the larg- 
est lumber dealers of Sullivan County 
and is practically a resident of Estella, 
Elkland township, Sullivan County, Pa., 
where he owns a handsome residence, a large 
and well improved farm and other valuable 
property; he is temporarily located, however, 
in Forks township. He is the eldest son of 
Jonathan and Harriet (Blakeley) Webster, and 
was born at \\'hite Deer Creek, Montour 
County, Pa., October 8, 1836. 

Jonathan Webster was born in England, 
w here he learned the weaver's trade. Coming 
to this country he located at Philadelphia, 
where he worked at his trade for a short time. 
Being a skilled and successful workman he 
soon obtained a more lucrative situation in a 
large woolen factory at White Deer Creek. By 
unceasing labor and close economy he saved a 
considerable sum of money which he in\-est- 
ed in land, which at that time was very cheap. 
He purchased 100 acres in Elkland township, 
where his son William now resides. In sum- 
mer, by patience and great effort, he slowly 
cleared the timber from the land that he might 
cultivate the soil. Out of the logs he built a 
log" house, where he and his wife lived in true 
pioneer fashion. In winter he worked at his 
trade for Thomas Engham at Monroeton. 

In this way by unceasing toil in both sum- 
mer and winter he was soon able to build 
larger and more substantial buildings, the 



same now standing on the farm. In his house 
he put up a loom on which, during spare time, 
he wove cloth for his family, and also for his 
neighbors. He made a specialty of weaving 
handsome shawls, w hicb were a source of won- 
der and delight to all his neighbors and 
friends; thus he was more prosperous than 
many in his \icinity and accumulated a nice 
property, the benefits of which he enjoyed to 
the day of his death, which occurred on the 
farm at the age of seventy-three. His religious 
life was based upon the doctrines of the An- 
glican Church. He was a Whig in politics 
and later a Republican. His wife died at the 
home of our subject in 1896, aged eighty-fo'ir 
years. Their children were: John J., the sub- 
ject of our sketch; George, now deceased, 
who served in the Union Army in the Re- 
bellion; Ellen, deceased; William, of Elkland 
township; Jonathan, who was killed in the 
War of the Rebellion; James, of Sugar Run; 
Elizabeth, now- deceased; and Marsden of 
Bradford County. 

John J. Webster was brought to Elkland 
township by his parents when he was six 
months old. There he was reared as a farmer 
and at the age of twenty-one bought eighiy 
acres of the George Molyneux tract near what 
is now Estella, it being at that time an un- 
touched wilderness. There he built a small 
boarding-house and kept a country tavern, at 
the same time commencing the work of clear- 
ing his farm. This venture was so successful 
that eighty acres more of the same tract were 
added to his farm. Being a man of energy 
and enterprise he was desirous of obtaining 
the most possible good from the natural re- 
sources of his land, so he built a saw-mill on 
his grounds and manufactured lumber from 
the timber in his own forest, also sawing for 
his neighbors who came from miles around 
bringing logs to his saw-mill, .\fter years 



764 



BOOK OK lUOGRAPHIES. 



of toil and industry he succeeded in improv- 
int;' his farm tn his nwii taste and nt)\v enjoys 
the iioiioi" and di--linctitin of heini; one of the 
most pronhnent a,L;iicultuii>ts in his section 
of the slate. 

( )ne of tile noted features of tliis elegant 
fat in is a line a])ple orcliard of 130 trees. Mr. 
Webster lias j^iven tlie care of this si)lendid 
farm of i()0 acres to a tenant, for he is so 
iuisily enii'a!.;ed elsewhere that it is iinpossi- 
iiie for liiin to s^iee his personal attention to 
farmiiiii; he realizes, ho\ve\er, that much 
more money can be made in the lumber busi- 
ness than in t'arming-, consequently lie is ex- 
tensively eni^ajjed in hunbering on the large 
tracts of timber land owned by the Union 
Tanning Coin])any in Forks townshii). 

Mr. Webster has been twice married. His 
lir.si wife was Jane Kaye. ilaughter of William 
Kaye of l-'lkland township. She died about 
the age of twenty-live leaving four children: 
L'arrie, who married i'raiik May and is tlie 
nn>ther of seven children. Bertha. Millie, 
Cieorge, Lloyd, Merlon. Dorothy, Lorine; 
Charles G.. who married Ella Brown and has 
live children, (.ieorge, John, Seth, Delia, and 
IJlanche; Aima, who married A. F. ^loly- 
neux, and also has five children, Tina. Revival. 
.\da, Walter and Wetsel: and Walter, a car- 
penter and wagon-maker by trade. Mr. W"e')- 
ter"s second wife was Mrs. Catherine Camp- 
bell, daughter of Samuel Norton and widow 
of llenrv Campbell. Mrs. Campbell had two 
children by her first husband, viz.: Jennie, 
who married George Morton and bore him 
two children. Fssie and Nellie: Irene, who 
marrieil Lyman Caufer. and also hati two 
chiklren. Katie and \'iolet. 

Our subject and his second wife ha\e been 
l)lessed with a family of five children, three 
sons and two daughters, namely. Merton, who 
married Rosa Brown, and had a family of 



.seven children. Fanny. May. Helen, Frank 
anil hrances. twins, and tieorgie and (ieorge. 
also twills, now deceased: .Nellie; and llarrx. 
l'"ew men many years older than our subject 
can boast of such a numerous family of chil- 
dren and grandchildren. Mr. Webster is a 
le;iiling spirit in the Methodist Church and 
has served as a member of the building com- 
mittee ever since joining the church, i'oliti- 
eally he is a Republican, and has served in 
many township oftices and one term as count', 
ci>nnnissioner. Socially he is past grand of 
Sullivan Lodge Xo. 52-', L O. O. F. ; also a 
member and past i)resident of the Elkland 
Grange. 




.-^#T i',. COTNER.- .\inong the citizens 
f L'pper Augusta township the gen- 
tleman w hose biography we write 
occupies a prominent position among the 
prosperous and enterprising farmers of North- 
umberland County. Pa. He was born in Lib- 
erty township. Montour County. Pa., in 1835, 
and is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Stein) 
Cottier. 

The Cotner family is of German extraction, 
and was founded in this country by our sub- 
ject's grandfather, who was a native of (.ier- 
man\'. He located in Muncy. Pa., where he 
resiiletl until his death. l)eing killed by In- 
dians: he was a soldier of the Revolutionary 
\\ ar. Daniel Cotner was born at Muncy. Pa., 
but when he grew to manhood he moved to 
Derby township. Montour County. Pa., where 
he bought a large tract of land and carried on 
farming. Later he nuneil to Liberty town- 
ship. Montour County, where he resided until 
his death. He was an earnest and public-spir- 
ited citizen, possessing many friends, and his 
death was deeply lamented by hosts of ac- 
quaintances. He was joined in marriage with 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



765 



Elizabeth Stein by whom he reared a family 
of eight children, namely: John, who died 
young; David, deceased, was a farmer, and 
his wife was Sarah McGee; Daniel, who is a 
farmer of Montour County and was united in 
marriage with INIary Worlina; A. B., our sub- 
ject; Susan, who wedded Daniel INIoyer, and 
both are now deceased; Barliara Ann, wife of 
Robert Lyons of Upper Augusta township; 
Catherine, wife of Emery Johnson, a farmer of 
Hastings, Mich.; and Marion, deceased. 

Our sidiject obtained a conunon school edu- 
cation and remained at home working on the 
homestead until he was twenty-four years of 
age, and after his marriage he conducted the 
iiomestead for se\en years on his own ac- 
count. Selling out in 1866, he purchased his 
present property, known as the Henry (iiulick 
hoiuostead, where our subject's wife has v£- 
sided all her life with the exception of seven 
years. Ninety-seven acres constitute the 
homestead, all of which has been put under 
a fine state of cultivation by our subject, and 
substantial outbuildings erected. In 1874 the 
present commodious barn was erected, and in 
1886 he built his present home, a beautiful 
two-story brick house, containing both hot 
and cold water throughout, and all the other 
modern improvements. Mr. Cotner is a typi- 
cal farmer, and the general appearance of his 
home and surroundings tends to show that he 
is a careful, industrious and ]irogressi\e man. 

Mr. Cotner and Margaret Gulick were hap- 
pily united in the bonds (if matrimony January 
'5' 1859. Her parents were Henry and Cath- 
erine (Eckman) Gulick, both natives of New 
Jersey, and were farmers of Upper Augusta 
township; they are l)oth now deceased. They 
reared five children, namely: Charles, a farm- 
er who was first married to Rose Smith and 
after her death wedded Julia Grady; Samuel, 
wild also lives in L'i)per Augusta township; 



Mary, and Margaret, the wife of our subject, 
were twins, — Mary was wedded to Daniel 
Cotner, and both are deceased; and Niona, 
deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Cotner 
was blessed by the birth of six children, as 
follows: Charles, a farmer of Rush township, 
who wedded Ellen Moore; Daniel, a prosper- 
ous lumberman of Sunbur_\-, Pa., who was 
jijined in hymeneal bonds with Stella Camp- 
Lell; Henry a resident of Danville, Pa., who 
married Daisy Gonsar; Alfreda, who died 
aged five years; George, who assists his 
father, married Ella (iulick; and ^linnie. 
Politically oiu" subject takes an active interest 
in acKancing the principles advocated by the 
Democratic jiarty and is a free silver man. i Ic 
has been elected a luember of the board of 
school directors and overseer of the poor, the 
duties of w hicli positions he faithful]} ;iiid hon- 
estly discharged. Mr. COtner is a member 
and regular attendant of the I'resbyterian 
Church. 




EXER.\L GEORGE \V. BIGGER,- 
3 1 blacksmith of Muncy Valley, Sulli- 
van County, Pa., deserves to be called 
a self-made man, and is held in high esteem 
by all who have business relations with hiiu. 
He was born in Eranklin township, L}coming 
County, I'a., in 1843, and is a son of James 
and Catherine (Race) Bigger, and a grand- 
son of William Bigger. The latter was reared 
by his uncle, James Bigger, and was in his 
early manhood engaged in teaching district 
schools for a living. Not being satisfied to 
devote his life to educational purposes alone, 
he learned the glass-blower's trade, luoved to 
Eagle's Mere, Sullivan County, Pa., and 
worked at his trade for several years; again 
the desire for a change overpowered him, and 
haNiui"' been economical and sa\ed sonic 



7(16 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



money, he ]iurcliase(l a farm, now owned In' 
Jacob Dul)ler. Tliere lie lived and died, leav- 
ing two children, Margaret Hester and James. 
To the latter he bequeatlied his farm. 

James Bigger, father of our subject, was 
born in Yates County, N. Y., near Dundee. 
He, like his father, also, taught school when 
a young man, afterwards turning his atten- 
tion to agricultural pursuits on the farm he in- 
herited. Catherine Race, daughter of Abra- 
ham Race of Franklin townshi]), became his 
wife; she pursuaded Mr. Bigger to sell the 
homestead, which he did, removing to Ly- 
coming County. There he lived for a num- 
ber of years, a highly esteemetl and respected 
farmer, when he died while yet in the prime 
of life and in the vigor of his manhood, at 
the age of fifty-two years. He left his wife 
and ten children to mourn his demise. The 
children are, respectively: I^obert, George W. 
(our subject), James, Lafayette, Garrett, Mar- 
garet, Marion, Henrietta, and Cynthia. Our 
subject's mother contracted a second matri- 
monial alliance with I\Ir. Henry Converse, 
and after his death, a third, with F. P. Meyers, 
also now deceased. She died .\ugust 23, 1897, 
aged eighty-two years, one month and twen- 
ty-eight days. 

G. W. Bigger spent the days of his l)oy- 
hood attending both public and private 
schools, leading the life most genial to a lad 
full of youthful spirits. He started out in life 
for himself by working in a saw-mill where he 
learned the art of manufacturing lumber. He 
soon became a contractor. He and his broth- 
er took lumbering jobs in Columbia County 
for John W'ygett, in Lyconn'ng Countv for E. 
Lyons and others. Reared on a farm, the free- 
dom of farm life had such a fascination for our 
subject that he quit the lumbering business 
and began farming, which occupation he fol- 
lowed nnintcrrn])tcdly for twelve j'ears; al- 



though he found farming pr(jlitable, he real- 
ized that more money could be made in the 
lumber business, so he erected a saw-mill of 
his own at Eagle's Merc where he carried 
on an extensive lund)ering business for four 
years, and reaped handsome profits. Wish- 
ing to inxest his earnings safely where he 
could net good returns without the labor con- 
nected with the saw-mill he removed to Mim- 
cy A'alle}-, bought a comfortable home, form- 
erly the D. C. Stephen's propertx', and became 
a dealer in agricultural imj^lements. Soon 
after locating there he was offered the fore- 
manshij) of the blacksmith dejjartment of the 
I'nion Tannery Trust Comiiany, which jjosi- 
tion he accepted and has retained for the past 
four years, a fitting compliment to his profi- 
ciency in filling it. Gen. Bigger finds this 
position not oidy lucrative but it interferes 
in no way with his former business, that of 
dealing in implements, which he still con- 
tinues. He was united in marriage to Ida A. 
Worthing, the atifable and accomplished 
daughter of Henry B. Worthing, of Lycoming 
County, Pa., which union was blessed with 
seven children: Nellie E., who wedded T. J. 
Schug, of Muncy \ alley, whose home is 
blessed with two bright children, Leon and 
Paul; Elinor, wife of David Kassinger, who 
occupies a position in a planing mill at 
Gaines, Tioga County, Pa., — their home is 
also blessetl with two bright-eyed little ones. 
Pearl and a baby: Edmond; Bradley; Hur- 
ley I).: Harold: and Ransom 1)., wIki are at 
the old home, where they assist their worthy 
]5arents in every ]M)ssible way and add much 
to the joys of life. Gen. Bigger takes great 
interest in educational matters and has been 
school director for three years. He is a Re- 
publican, and is training his boys in the same 
political belief. Both he and his estimable 
wife are willing workers in the Methodist 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



Church. Our subject has au honorable mili- 
tary record. In 1863 lie enlisted in Company 
E, 43r(l Regiment Pa. X'olunteer Infantry, 
and was honorably discharged. He re-enlisted 
in 1864 in Company E, 209th Pa., being dis- 
charged at the close of the Civil War the fol- 
lowing year. Thus we lea\-e (lur subject, now 
scarcely past the prime of life. 



lfZ\ ^"^^ ^LISII.V W. M. LOW,- who, 
Jt^ with his brother, George L. Low, 
C*^^ forms the lirm of Low Bros., which 
is extensively engaged in the lime business at 
Lime Ridge, Center township. Columbia 
County, Pa., is also the owner of large landed 
interests and is one of the prominent business 
, men of tlie county. He is a son of Isaac and 
Maria (Miller) Low, and was born in Briar- 
creek township, Columbia County, Pa., Sep- 
tember 9, 1829. 

The Low family was established in America 
by three brothers, who came from Holland, 
the land of their iiati\itv. one locating in New 
Jersey, another in New York State, and the 
third, the direct ancestor of our subject, near 
Muncy, Pa., on the West Branch of the Sus- 
quehanna Ri\-er. It is not certain as to 
whether he was the great-great-grandfather 
of our subject or the great-grandfather. 

John Low, the grandfather of our subject, 
followed the trade of a weaver, and through- 
out life resided on Muncy Hills, near Muncy. 
Pa. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary 
War and held the rank of a captain. He was 
twice married and was the progenitor of a 
large family of children. 

Isaac Low, our subject's father, was born 
near Muncy, Pa., .\pril 2, 1802, and was the 
youngest child Imrn to his parents. At an 
earlv age he moved to Columbia Countx'. and 



for the first two years was employed by Jesse 
and John Bowman, two very prominent busi- 
ness men of that section at that time. He 
later became a partner with them, purchasing 
a team, with which he hauled produce to 
Philadelphia and New York City and store 
goods on the return tri]). He continued at 
that line of work for two years. He married 
Maria Miller, a daughter of Abraham Miller, 
a farmer and a large land-owner in Briarcreek 
and Center townships. He then moved upon 
a farm near Berwick, and a short time after 
he and the Bowman brothers purchased the 
entire estate of .\braham Miller from the lat- 
ter's heirs. This property consisted of a large 
farm and mill pro])erty near Berwick and a 
farm of 308 acres at Lime Ridge. They con- 
ducted their business jointlv for soiue vears, 
but as the Bowmans were well advanced in 
years they wished to reduce their business re- 
sponsibilities and asked for a division of the 
propert)-, allowing Mr. Low the choice of es- 
tates. He selected the 308 acres at Lime 
Ridge, part of which was cleared, and a tract 
of timber land on which the well-known lime- 
stone quarries are now situated. He devoted 
the remainder of his life to agricultural pur- 
suits, dying on the old homestead, May 27, 
1847. H^ ^^'is f* \w&\\ of great industr_\-. and 
through his own unaided efforts he attained 
great success. He was originally a Jacksonian 
Democrat in his political Ijelief, but later in 
life became a \Vhig, being a candidate on the 
ticket of that party for the Legislature. Re- 
ligiously he was a con.sistent Methodist, being 
one of the pioneers of that faith in Columbia 
County. His marriage was blessed liy the 
birth of ten children, namely: Thomas, who 
died in boyhood; Eliza, deceased, who was 
the wife of H. E. Freace; Elisha W. M.: 
Charles, deceased, who was a merchant of 
Orangeville; Mary F., the wife of H. C. Bar- 



768 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



ton. a fanner on tlie old Low lioiiiestcad at 
Lime Kidge; (ieorye L.. deceased, who was a 
niemljer of the firm of Low IJros., lime mer- 
chants of Lime Ridjje; Maria Emily, deceased, 
who married John Nicely of-Shickshiiiny, Pa.; 
Alice, deceased, who was the wife of Dr. Rit- 
tenhouse of Williamsport, Pa.; and Thomas 
B., who died at Army Square Hospital, Wasli- 
ington, D. C, March 8, 1864, as a result of a 
combination of diseases which he contracted 
while in the service. He was a member of the 
84th Reg., Pa. \'ol. Inf., ami actively partici- 
pated in many im])ortant battles. At the bat- 
tle of Chancellorsville he was captured by the 
enemy, but fortunately made his escape a 
short time after. He was a member of the In- 
valid Corps at Gettysburg, and as a result of 
exposure and poor treatment he contracted 
typhoid fever, from which he never recovered, 
dying at the age of twenty years and thirteen 
days. 

Dr. Elisha W. Al. Low was reared on the 
farm and received his education in the puljlic 
schools and in Dickinson Seminary, from 
which he graduated in 1854. He soon after 
took up the study of medicine with Dr. F. C. 
Harrison, a practicing physician of Blooms- 
burg, and graduated from the medical depart- 
ment of the University of Pennsylvania March 
(), 1857. It was his intention to go to South 
America and there take up the practice of his 
profession, but he did not, as he had made 
financial investments in Columbia County 
which required attention. He and his broth- 
er, George L., established the firm of Low' 
Bros., lime merchants of Lime Ridge, and 
they soon connnanded a large business, ship- 
ping lime extensively all over the country. 
George L. Low has since died, but our subject 
carries on the business under the old name. 
He is a large landowner, having two good 
farms in Center township, one in Bloomsburg, 



and owns considerable farm land in Kansas 
and Nebraska. He is identified with many 
thriving enterprises in different sections of 
Columbia County; has been a director of the 
First National Hank of Bloomsburg for the 
past twcnty-li\e years, and has served as its 
president since 1893. He has also been a 
trustee of the Danville Asylum for the Insane 
for a number of \ears. He has been ;ui en- 
ergetic and untiring worker and has forced 
his wa)' to a prominent place among the intlu- 
ential citizens of the county, acquiring the 
esteem ,'ui<l respect of all with whom he is ac- 
cpiainted. 

In June, 1861, he was joined in Innieneal 
bonds with Rebecca Hill, who also comes of 
a very prominent family of the county, by 
whom he has had nine children: Elmer E., a 
member of the firm of Low Bros.; Banks, who 
died at the age of six months; Helen May, 
at home; Elizabeth, who is at home; George 
L., a bookkeeper of Bloomsburg; Mary, who 
died in early womanhood; Alice; Thomas 
Hill; and John \'incent, who resides at home. 
Socially our subject is a 3-Jnd Degree Mason. 
In religious attachments he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and is a director 
and ex-president of the Mountain Grove 
Methodist Camp Meeting Association. Polit- 
icallv he is a stanch supporter of the principles 
of the Republican jjarty. He belongs to Wash- 
ington Lodge, No. _'(')5, F. & A. M.. of 
Bloomsburg. 



i>^ OHN T. TIK )A1AS,* inside-foreman of 
the Cameron Colliery, holds one of the 
most important foremanships in the 
Seventeenth Congressional District and the 
anthracite region. To give an adequate idea 
of the responsibility of this position we will 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



769 



mention that lie has under his supervision six 

assistants and eiglit tire-1josses; tliis colliery 
gives employment to over 1,200 hands, and 
the daily output is between 1,400 and 1,500 
tons. The miners work from eight to ten 
\-eins of coal. Mr. .Thomas has been in and 
about the mines since he was ten years old, 
occup}ing many important positions, and is 
thoroughly acquainted with the responsibili- 
ties of his position. He was appointed inside- 
foreman on February 22, 1896, and has dis- 
charged the duties of his office exceptionally 
well. 

Our subject was born April 25, 1854, in 
Carmarthinshire, at Ponta Barton, Wales, and 
is a son of Thomas and Rachel (Jones) Thom- 
as. He received only a few months' schooling 
in Wales, but entered the mines of that coun- 
try when only ten years old, and continued 
to work at mining until he immigrated to 
America, locating at once in Shamokin, where 
he soon secured employment about the mines. 
For three years he was fire-boss at Henry Clay 
Colliery, after wliich he occupied a similar po- 
sition for two years at the Garfield Colliery, 
which is now closed. In 1893 he was pro- 
moted to assistant-foreman of the Cameron 
Colliery, and served in that capacity for three 
years, when he was appointed to his present 
position. 

The father of our subject was a miner in 
Wales, l)eing an outside-foreman and check- 
weigher. He innnigrated to this country one 
year after the arrival here of our subject, lo- 
cating in Shamokin. He has worked about 
the mines ever since. His family then con- 
sisted of our subject, three other sons, and 
three daughters. One brother, Benjamin, is 
now dead. Those living are John T., our sub- 
ject: Rachel, now the wife of David Thomas 
of Luzerne County, Pa.; Sarah Ann, wife of 
F.noch Fdmonds, of Shamokin; William, who 



is still a l)achelor. editor of the Shamokin 
Daily Herald. ;i bright and spicy ])aper; Mary 
Jane, wife of Theodore Berry, of Shamokin; 
and Thomas F., who is employed in the 
mines. 

Benjamin Thomas, brother of our subject, 
was a young man who was well-known and 
exceedingly popular, taking a prominent part 
in educational and musical matters in Shamo- 
kin. He was highly educated and, prior to his 
death, he was principal of the Shamokin High 
School. He died in 1897. 

Our subject was married January 15, 1879, 
and has three bright and attractixe children: 
David J., aged fifteen years: Benjamin, ten 
years old; and Emrys, aged si.K years. Mr. 
Thomas is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church, being leader of the choir as well as 
chorister of the Sunday School. In 1897 he 
organized the Mozart Glee Club, which con- 
sists of from twent_\--five to thirty male voices. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Shamokin 
blue lodge No. 255. F. & A. M. 



rRANCIS H. KOHLBRAKER.* An- 
other well-known and prominent citi- 
zen of Shamokin is the superintend- 
ent of the Mineral Railroad & Mining Com- 
pany, the gentleman whose name heads this 
sketch. His com]ianionable traits and sterling 
worth are fairly attested in his having been 
with his present employers since 1871, when 
he entered their employ as an engineer; in 
1887 he was promoted to outside-foreman and 
served faithfully in that position until 1897, 
when he was promoted to his present lucrative 
position. His snperintendency includes the 
Luke Fidler and Cameron collieries, all in 
close proximity to Shamokin. These collieries 
are the largest in that section of the anthracite 



770 



COOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



region of Pennsylvania, and furnisli employ- 
ment to a force of 2,200 hands. Mr. Kohl- 
braker's life from boyhood has been spent in 
the nn'niny regions, an<l, being' of a careful 
and observing nature, has made this business 
a life-long study, has thoroughly analyzed 
every detail, and is well fitted to discharge his 
duties acce])tably to his employers. 

(ieorgc Kohlbrakei", father of our subject, 
was a nati\c of (lermany, and came to Amer- 
ica about iS4<;, locating near Pottsville, 
Schuylkill County. I'a. Having learned the 
carpenter's trade in (iermany, he followed it 
for some time after coming to this country. 
He removed fi'dui I'ottsxille to Shanidkin in 
1857 and worked about the mines, partly at 
his trade and in the mines for some time, and 
then acce|)ted ilu' position of foreman at the 
mines in the \icinit\- of .Shanuikin. lie faith- 
fully performed liis duties for twenty 
years, when he was dejirived of life by an 
accident. lie died in 1880, at the age of fifty- 
two years. He was a zealous Democrat and 
an active worker in the interest of his party; 
he also took an active ]:)art in educational af- 
fairs, ser\'ing as school director for a number 
of years. He was a devout Catholic. He was 
united in marriage with Mary Banman, a na- 
tive of Switzerland, who came to Amer- 
ica with her f;illier. John Banman, who lo- 
cated in Pottsville, and also followed mining. 
Our subject's mother lived to be about si.xty 
years old and was the mother of twelve chil- 
dren, four boys and eight girls. 

Francis TI. Kohlbraker was born December 
15, 1856, near Potts\ille, I'a., and was edu- 
cated in ,the ]iublic schools of Shamokin. 
While a boy he found employment about 
the mines as a slate-picker and later in life be- 
came an engineer, and worked for individual 
emjiloyers luitil lie entered the emi)loy of the 
Mineral Railroad \: Mining (_"om]i;uiy in the 



same capacity. Truly he has made himself 
what he now is, an honored and esteemed 
citizen. 



M 



U. HO\V.\Rl) S. CHRISTIAN,* an 
ex])erienced and skilled physician and 
surgeon, connnands a large and lucra- 
tive practice in Millville and the innnediate 
vicinity. He is a son of Jacob and Martha 
(Smith) Christian, and was born in I'ine town- 
ship, Columbia County, February 11, 1862. 
His grandfather was John Christian, who was 
one of the pioneer settlers of Pine township, 
locating upon the estate which has since been 
known as the family homestead and is now 
owned by Judson, a brother of the gentleman 
whose record we write. John was an exten- 
si\-e farmer and lumberman and was success- 
ful in his many business \entures. He was a 
member and for many years an ofificer of the 
Baptist Church, helping to estal)lish the first 
Baptist Church in Pine township. He was the 
father of two sons and two daughters, name- 
ly: Jacob, the father of our suliject : John; 
Mary (Rantz); and Rebecca (Derr). 

Jacob Christian was born in Madison town- 
ship, Columbia County, June 12, 1825, and 
succeeded his father as owner of the home- 
stead farm, which he successfully cultivated 
for many years. He also operated a saw and 
chopping mill on the ])roperty and was a very 
prosperous man, earning a handsome com])e- 
tency. He was a faithful worker in the Bap- 
tist Church, in which he held many offices. 
He was united in matrimonial bonds to Mar- 
tha Smith, a daughter of Charles Smith, .i 
native of Massachusetts and a wagon maker 
of Bloomsburg, and they became the parents 
of seven sons and two daughters, as follows: 
Theodore, deceased, a carpenter of Jackson 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



771 



towiisliip; Jcilin (_'., a iiK'vcliant of ^lillville; 
Thomas H., deceased, wlio was a i)Iiysician of 
Beacham. Pa.; Judson J., wlio is a fanner and 
miller on the old homestead; Ella M., the wife 
of Arthur Cole, a hnnhermaii of Sereno, Pa.; 
William B., a lumljerman of Milh-ille; Dr. 
PToward S., our suhject; Dr. Justin L., a prac- 
ticing physician of Lopez, Sullivan County, 
Pa.; and Richard E. 

Dr. Howard S. Christian, after obtaining a 
good English education in Greenwood Semin- 
ary at Millville, taught school for two winters 
in that locality He then began the study of 
medicine under the tutelage of the late Dr. A. 
P. Heller of Millville. He then took a course 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
Baltimore. Md., from which institution he 
graduated in the class of 1887. He then took 
a special course in operative surgery, and after 
becoming proficient in that branch of his pro- 
fession, entered upon his first practice at Mill- 
ville, in April, 1887. He made friends rapidly 
and soon established an enduring reputation 
as a physician competent to treat the most 
complicated cases. He is of kind and gentle 
disposition and is not only the physician to his 
many patients but is their close friend as well. 

On September 15, 1892, Dr. Christian was 
joined in hymeneal bonds to Julia E. Eves, 
by whom he has one bright and interesting 
young son, Joseph H. Mrs. Christian comes 
of one of the oldest and best known families 
of Madison township, and is a daugher of 
Joseph \\\ and g;ran(l(laughter of John K. 
Eves. John K. E\'es was a son of Chandler 
Eves, a record of whose life may be found in 
the sketch of Ellis Eves, his grandson, which 
ai)pears elsewhere in this Book of Biographies. 
John K. Eves was born on the old Eves estate 
in Madison township. December 15, 1802, and 
spent most of his life following the occupation 
of a farmer in Greenwood township where he 



was a prominent man. He was a member of 
the Societ)' (jf I'riends. He married Sarah 
W'hilacre, a daughter of Joseph and Catherine 
(AdluniJ W'hitacre, by whom he had six 
daughters and one son, namely: Catherine; 
Rachel; Mary; Ann; Sarah; Joseph W.. the 
father of our subject's wife; Hannah; and 
Eleanor S. Jose])h W. Eves was reared on the 
farm and obtained his intellectual training in 
the public schools and at Greenwood Semin- 
ary at Millville; he then took a course of study 
and became a surveyor by profession, which 
he followed for many years in connection with 
farming. He also dealt in real estate until 
1870, when he moved to Millville, where he 
has since resided. Like his forefathers he is 
a consistent member of the Society of Friends. 
March 31, 1864, he married Sarah Warner, a 
daughter of James and Julia A. Warner of 
Muncy, Pa., and they had one daughter, Juli;i 
E., who is the wife of Dr. Christian. 

Politically Dr. Christian is a firm supporter 
of the iM'inciples of the Republican party and 
is now a member of the borough council. In 
religious standing and fellowship he is a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church. Socially he is a 
member and ex-president of the Columbia 
County Medical Society; and is a charter 
member and jiast grand of ^lilhille Lodge 
No. 809, 1. (). (). F. 




^. 



i^-jENJAMIN FRANKLIN FRUIT,* 
an honored and highly respected citi- 
zen of Jerseytown, Pa., who has been 
li\ing in retirement since 1880, is a descend- 
ant of one of the pioneer families of Bufta'o 
\'alley. Pa. Our subject is a son of John and 
Nancy (Bower) Fruit, and was born in Fruits- 
town, now While Hall, Montour County, Pa., 
May 29, 1826. 



772 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Our suliject's great-grand'ather, Joliii Fruit, 
was a native of Ireland, wlio, in tlii' liojie of 
bettering liis financial condition in life and of 
l)rocnring a home for his children, immigrated 
to the undcNeloped and unoccupied lands of 
this country ])rior to the Revolutionary War. 
He settled in BufTalo Valley, near Lewis- 
town, I'a., where he was one of the pioneer 
farmers of that section, lie was the father of 
a large family of children, most of whom lo- 
cated in I'.ulTalo W'dley where they also en- 
gaged in the ctdti\ation of the soil. John 
T'"ruit, the gr;nii]father of our subject, was !)orn 
in I'utfalo \'alle\- and during his younger days 
aided his father in clearing his farm, .\fter 
continuing farming a number of years in that 
section he moved to what was then known as 
Fruitstown, now White Hall, Montour Coun- 
ty; there he engaged in general merchandis- 
ing the rest of his acti\e days. Mr. b^ruit was 
inspector of. the state militia during the Black 
Hawk War. lie was a member of the Pres- 
byterian Ciiurch. His wife was Ellen Clark, 
a native of Buffalo Valley, by whom he rai.sed 
a large family of children. 

John Fruit, our subject's father, was his 
parents' oldest child and was born in Buffalo 
Valley; when he grew to manhood he mo\ed 
to Jerseytown where he was engaged in the 
hotel business many years. Later he bought 
a farm in .Madison townshi]) .and was engaged 
in tilling the soil the rest of his life, with the 
excej)tion of filling a county office, when he 
resided in Danville, the county seat. In 1834 
he was elected treasurer of what was then Co- 
lumbia and Montour counties, and in 1840 he 
was elected .sherifif. He was a strong Demo- 
crat in i)olitics and a leader in his county; re- 
ligiously he was a member of the Presbyte- 
rian Church of w hich he was a consistent sup- 
jjorter. He was united in marriage to Nancy 
Bower, a daughter of John Bower, a native of 



lierks County, Pa., but a farmer of Derry 
township, .Montour County. Four sons and 
two daughters were the results of this union, 
namely: Benjamin F., the subject of this per- 
sonal history; Dr. Richard, deceased, late a 
])hy.sician of Hazleton, Pa.; John, deceased, 
was a i)racticing physician of Buckhorn, Pa.; 
Catherine, who resides at Hazleton, Pa.; Rob- 
ert, deceased, who was a well-to-do farmer of 
Liberty townshi]), Montour County, Pa.; and 
Jennie, the wife of John Jiles of Hazleton, I'a. 
(.)ur subject's father passed from this life in 
1875 at the age of seventy-five years. 

Benjamin Franklin Fruit was reared on his 
father's farm and received his education in the 
district scIkkjIs of his native township and the 
high school at Danville; in 1849 ^^^^ ^^'^^ *^'"" 
ployed as manager of the store owned by the 
Cool & Lochard Company, of Beaver Mead- 
ows, Carbon County, I'a. .\fter remaining 
six years in their service he took a trip 
j:)ros])ecting through I own and other West- 
ern States; returning to his nati\c town- 
shi]) he ])urchased the old homestead of his 
father, an<l carrietl on general farming for 
several years. He next took a i)ositit)n as 
manager of a store at l^bervale, Luzerne 
County, I'a. Si.x years later he embarked in 
the hotel business in Carbon County, Pa., and 
continued that line of business eight years, 
when he moved to I l;i/leton, I'a., where he 
remained until 1878. During that lime he 
[purchased a farm near Buckhorn, llcmlock 
townshi]). and ;uiother in Madison townshi]), 
Cohnnbia Count\-. ( )ur subject next resided 
in Bloomsburg for two years, and then re- 
moved to Jerseytown, where he has since lived 
in retirement, with the exception of looking 
after his real estate. 

Mr. iMuit is a stanch Democrat in politics 
and has fre<]uently been delegate to county 
and state conventions. He wris united in mar- 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



77.3 



riage to Sarah Hendershot, a daughter of 
Joliii Hendersliot, a carpenter and fanner re- 
siding in iMachson townsliip. Our subject and 
wife are tlie parents of three chikh^en, only 
one of whom is H\ing: Charles H., a resident 
of Jerseytown. who married lunma Swisher, a 
daughter of the late Dr. Thomas J. Swisher, 
and they have reared two daughters, Sarah 
and Margaret. 



^S.\AC MAY, Sr.,- a worthy and highly 
nl respected citizen of Shamokin, Coal 
^-'- township, Pa., was born in Cornwall, 
England, March i8, 1820. His grandfather, 
James May, lived and died in Cornwall, and 
his father, Joseph May, was reared there also 
Init immigrated to the United States in 1839, 
coming direct to the coal regions of Pennsyl- 
\ania. but removed to Canada in 1841, locat- 
ing aljout forty miles from Toronto in the 
county and township of Wilber. The remain- 
der of his life was passed in agricultural pur- 
suits, his death occurring on his farm in Cana- 
da. He married Anna George, also a native 
of England, and their family consisted of seven 
children, five sons and two daughters, namely: 
James, who died in Schuylkill County, Pa.; 
William, who died at Mineral Point, Wis.; 
Isaac, the subject of this sketch, and only 
sur\-i\ing member of the family o{ children; 
Joseph, who died in Wilber County, Canada; 
Thomas G., who died in Shamokin; Mary 
Ann, who married William Luke and died in 
Canada in 1895; Elizabeth, who married Wel- 
field Lee and also died in Canada. 

Isaac May, Sr., had very little opportunity 
to obtain an education. His parents were 
the owners of a little farm in Cornwall and he 
was put to the necessit}' of helping" maintain 
the family. He came with his parents to 



Schuylkill County, Pa., and when they re- 
moved to Canada two years later, he remained 
in that county, declaring he had come to the 
United States to live and would not return 
to British soil. He engaged in mining in 
.Scliu_\lkill Count}- for a period of nine years, 
afterward ser\ing as mine foreman for indi- 
\idual companies for several years. He then 
went into business for himself, owning and 
operating a mine at Middleport until 1853, 
when he located permanently in Shamokin. 
There he opened up what is still known as 
lUick Ridge Colliery, and operated it nearly 
ten years; prior to that it had been operated 
by May, Audenried & Co. He built the break- 
er during the time he was connected with 
Buck Ridge Colliery and added to it the Burn- 
side Colliery, operating both together for six 
years, then selling both of them to the Phila- 
delphia & Reading Coal & Iron Company in 
1883. He then went into Colum])ia County 
where, under the name of Isaac Alay & Co., he 
leased and operated Morris Ridge Colliery for 
eight years, when he sold his interest in the 
business and retired. 

In 1843 Mr. May was united in marriage 
with Mary Sterling, a daughter of John Ster- 
ling, of Pottsville, formerly of Berks County. 
To them have been born fourteen children, 
eleven of whom are still living: Maj. James 
Elizabeth, widow of Henry W. ^Morgan, 
who now resides in Shamokin; Isaac, of 
Shamokin, formerly in the mercantile busi- 
ness; Emma, widow of A. D. Allen, who also 
resides in the borough of Shamokin; Mary 
Ida, wife of Jacob F. Graeber, who is now in 
the Klondike region prospecting for gold; 
Joseph, deceased; Sarah Jane, wife of A. A. 
Heizmanson; Sue, wife of W. W. Ryon; 
George: Carrie: and Laura, wife of Daniel 
D. Driscoll, a bicvcle manufacturer of Read- 
ing, Pa, 



774 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



Our subject's wife and family are members 
of St. lulward's Catholic Cliurcli, of Shamo- 
kin. in which faitli Mrs. May was born and 
reared. Mr. .May is a devout Christian gen- 
tleman, and a member of the M. E. Church, 
lie is a ])rogressivc, intlucntial citizen and has 
identified himself with many Shamokin cntcr- 
])riscs. lie was a director of the Northumber- 
land County National Bank; president of the 
Miner's Trust & Safe Deposit Company; one 
(jf the originators of the First National Bank, 
and its second president and has served as di- 
rector for man_\' years. In connection with the 
interest manifested by him in all of these en- 
terprises he has drawn freely on his own re- 
sources and done nnich in the way of build- 
ing up and im])ro\ing the town and as a con- 
setjuence is a large real estate owner. He is 
a stanch out-spoken Republican and has 
served as overseer of the poor for many years, 
and as supcr\-isor of Coal tov,nship, w liich sur- 
rounds the borough of Shamokin. 




UGUSTUS A. LUDY,* who resides 
on what is well-known as the old Green 
farm in IIillsgro\e township, Sul- 
livan County, I'a., is extensively engaged in 
general farming and lumbering. He is a son 
of Conrad and Elizabeth ( Kauffman) Ludy, 
and w;is born in I luntcrsxillc, Lycoming 
CouiUy. July _'o, 1852. 

Conrad Ludy, the father of our subject, is 
a nati\'e of Germany, and lived there until 
1S47, when he innnigrated to this country and 
located in Huntersville, I'a. His first em])loy- 
ment was in a saw-mill, and while thus en- 
gaged he had the misfortune to lose an arm. 
Several years later he moved to Montoursville, 
Pa., and after tending locks for a time re- 
turned to his former business, that of lumber- 



ing. This he followed until three years ago 
since which time he has been employed as an 
engineer in a saw-mill at Proctor, Pa. He was 
united in marriage to Elizabeth KaufTman, a 
native of Bradford County, Pa., and five chil- 
dren bk-sscd their union: Augustus .\., the 
subject of this biographical record; William 
Franklin, who met death by drowning at the 
age of six years; Charles, who died in infancy; 
George Hudson, a lumberman of Roaring 
Branch, Pa.: and Peter .\dam, also a resident 
of Roaring Branch. Mrs. Ludy was called 
to her final rest in 1890. 

Augustus A. Ludy was educated in the pub- 
lic schools of his native town after which he 
embarked in the lumbering Inisiness on Loval- 
sock Creek in Sullivan Ccjunty, where his 
present farm is located. He continued at that 
for many years, or until he located on his farm 
in 1890. The farm consists of about twenty- 
si.x acres of vvelbini])roved land, upon which 
he has since been engaged in general farming, 
although he still follows lumbering to some 
extent. He is a man of great industry and has 
been fairly successful. In private life he is a 
good neighbor and has many friends. On 
January 30, 1879, he was united in marriage 
with Annetta McBride, who was born in Sul- 
livan County, May 30, 1857, and is a daughter 
of James and Harriet (Green) McBride. Mr. 
McBride was a farmer on our subject's farm, 
but is now deceased. His wife is now living 
with Mr. and Mrs. Ludy. This union was 
blessed with the following children: .\lta, who 
died in 1881, aged two years; Ella .\mber. 
who was Ijorn in i88j and lives at home; and 
Etta Edna, born in 1886. Politically our sub- 
ject is a Republican, and has served as tax 
collector in the county for four years, consta- 
ble for five years, and has held many of the 
minor township of^ces. .\t the present time 
he is overseer of the poor an<l has faithfully 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



served in that capacity for three years. So- 
cially our subject is a member of the Patriotic 
( )r(lcr Sons of America of llillsgrove. Re- 
ligiously his wife is a devout member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church of Hillsgrove. 



D. CLINTON KASE,* a retired 
farmer and merchant of Elysburg, 
• I'a., was born in Montour County, 
I'a., and is a son of John and Eleanor (De- 
Witt) Kase. both of Rush township, North- 
umberland County, Pa. 

William Kase. the paternal grandfather, was 
born in Rush township, antl followed farming 
all his life. He married Elizabeth Huliler. 
John Kase, the father of our subject, was born 
in Rush township, Northumberland County, 
where be grew to manhood, removing in 1826 
to Mayberry township, Montour Ccnmt}', Pa. 
For a short time he was a tanner and distiller 
of whiskey, later taking up farming, which he 
followed until he retired in i860. Mr. Kase 
was an acti\'e member of the Presbyterian 
Church. Ijeing elder for many years. Politi- 
cally he was a Republican, taking an active in- 
terest in the township afifairs and holding all 
the township offices. Mr. Kase had many 
friends, being well known throughout the 
county. He died at the ripe age of eighty- 
seven years, in 1875. Mrs. Kase died April 
29, 1869. Nine children resulted from this 
union: Isaac, deceased, who married Sarah 
Mattler; Charles, deceased, who married 
Rachael Reed; William, deceased, who mar- 
ried Sally A. Scott; Elizabeth, deceased, who 
married S. A. Burgestresser; Catherine A., 
who married George West, and lives in Dan- 
ville, Pa.; J. D. Clinton, the subject of 
this biography; Margaret, deceased, who 
married K. McWilliams of Elvsburg, Pa.; 



James D.. a retired farmer, who lives in North 
Carolina, who m.arried Mary Tousy; and 
Sarah Ella, who died at the age of seven years. 
J. D. Clinton Kase, the subject of this biog- 
raphy, lived in Montour County until he was 
twenty years old when he married Mary 
Clark, daugbler of William .-uid Jane Clark of 
Rush township, where Mr. Clark carried on 
farming. After marriage Mr. Kase moved to 
Mayberry township, where for thirty-five years 
he was known as one of the most ])rominent 
farmers of the section. In 1890 our subject 
located in Elysburg, wliere he conducted a 
hardw^are store for three yedrs, at the end of 
that period selling out to his son, Harry, who 
does a prosperous business. Mr. Kase still 
owns the old homestead in Mayberry town- 
ship and be is now enjoying a retired life, 
though he continues to take an active interest 
in the affairs of the church and township. Mr. 
Kase is an elder of the Presbyterian Church, 
taking deep interest in all church matters. 
For manv years he has been a member of the 
school board. Politically he is an unswerving- 
Republican. Mr. Kase has always' been a 
steadv and untlinching worker and his life has 
been crowned with success. He is very well 
known and liked throughout the county, hav- 
ing many friends. 

Mr. and Mrs. Kase have been blessed with 
several children, as follows: Ella, who mar- 
ried John Pitman, and lives in Rush town- 
ship, — they have five children, Mary L.. Clin- 
ton. \\'illiam. Hattie and Dora; Simon G., 
who marrietl Dora Ent, living on his farm in 
Upper Augusta townshi]); Lizzie, who mar- 
ried John V. Vought, a farmer in Mayberry 
township, Montour County, Pa.; Clark, who 
married Emma Crick, and now lives on the 
old homestead in Ma\lierry township; Mar- 
garet, widow of Silas Miller, who now lives 
with her father: John, a farmer in Mayberry 



776 



BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES. 



township, wlio nuirried Bessie Bobb; and 
• Harry C, who was born November 6, 1871, 
and wlio married Stella Sober, January 2, 
1879. Ilarr)- C. has a large store in Elysburg, 
dealing in hardware, bicycles and buggies. He 
has conducted this store since 1893 and does 
a large and profitable business. 



rDRGE E. TAYLOR,* a prominent 
nd influential farmer of Shrewsbury 
township, Sullivan County, Pa., owns 
a lino farm of 330 acres, uixm which he lives. 
He is a son of Frederick and .Margaret (Ed- 
kin) Ta_\lor, and was born in Shrewsbury 
township, February 13, 1833. 

On the j)atcrnal side of the familv, our sub- 
ject is a grandson of Robert Taylor, who was 
a native of Lewistown. Pa., and was the first 
to establish the family in Sulhvan county. Up- 
on locating there he acfjuired a large tract of 
timberhmd which he cleared with a great deal 
of difficulty and much hard work, after which 
he erected a home. He operated a grist-mill 
and a distillcrx'. in connection with which he 
engaged in agricultural jiursuits with consid- 
erable success, owning 600 acres of land at 
the time of his demise, at the age of sixty-two 
years. He was joined in matrimonial bunds 
with Elizabeth Mayhue and they reared a fam- 
ily of children, one of whom was Frederick, 
ous subject's father. 

Frederick Taylor was a native of Shrewsbury 
township, Sullivan County, and there resided 
for many years of his life, being a prominent 
citizen of Muncy Valley. Politically he was a 
Democrat and served as supervisor and school 
director of his township. He formed a niatri- 
nu)nial alliance with Margaret Edkin, wlu) 



was born in England and emigrated to this 
country with her father, Georg-e Edkin, who 
settled on a farm in Shrewsbury township, 
where he resided until his death at the age of 
eight}- years. His wife reachetl the advanced 
age of ninety-three years before submitting to 
the inevitable. Eight children were born t(j 
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor: Sarah, deceased, was 
the wife of Beaver Kitchen, who resides at 
Montgomery Station, Pa.; William, deceased, 
married Mary Anderson, and now resides in 
Shrewsbury township; Robert, Jr., whose life 
sketch also appears in this volume; George 
E.. our subject; Sophia, the widow of John 
Faust, who resides in Muncy, Lycoming 
County; Deborah, deceased, who was the 
wife of John Roach, who is also deceased; 
Margaret, deceased: and Theodore, who was 
killed in the Civil War, in 1865. Mr. Taylor 
died on March 13, 1886, and his wife survived 
him five years, dying in February, 1891. 

George E. Taylor was reared on the farm 
and attended the connnon schools of his dis- 
trict. Upon leaving school he aided his father 
in clearing off a tract of timberland and lived 
on the home farm. He continued to live there 
after his marriage, and after his father's death 
succeeded to the ownership of the old home- 
stead. He is recognized as a man of worth 
and influence in his connnunity. and has a 
large circle of friends. 

On December 25, 1881, Mr. Taylor was 
joined in wedlock with Alargaret Biddle, who 
was born in Bradford County, Pa., Septem- 
lier 16, 1842, and is a daughter of John and 
Elizabeth (Stout) Biddle. Mr. Biddle was a 
farmer by occupation. Politically Mr. Taylor 
has alwa}s been a stanch Democrat and has 
held man)- of the tow nship offices. Religious- 
ly his wife is a member of the Lutheran 
Church of Dushore, Pa. \ 



SEVENTEENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. 



7:7 



/^^T^ORGE FERTIG, ESQ.,* a Civil 
\ 5T War veteran, retired merchant, and 
justice of the peace of Northumber- 
land, Northumberland County, was born Jan- 
uary 20, 1847, ''t Kratzerville, Snyder County, 
Pa., and is a son of John and Catherine 
(Klinger) Fertig, and a grandson of Jacob 
Fertig. 

Jacob Fertig, our subject's grandfather, 
was a native of Berks County, where he was 
a farmer for some time. Later he moved to 
Montour County. His children were: Polly; 
Sally; Susan; Elizabeth; and John. 

John Fertig, our subject's father, w-as born 
in Berks County, Pa., and died in March, 
1864. His first wife was Eva Harmon; after 
her death he was united in marriage with 
Catherine Klinger, who died in 1849. He was 
the father of the following children: Eliza- 
beth B., who married William Hare of White 
Springs, Pa.; Sarah, now deceased, who mar- 
ried L. R. Miller; Polly, who died at an early 
age; John, who ser\-ed his country in the Civil 
War for three years, was a member of Com- 
pany D, 52nd Reg., Pa. Vol. Inf., and was 
taken prisoner and died at Fort Johnston, S. 
C. ; Adam, a member of the 47th Reg., Pa. 
Vol. Inf., who was shot in the battle of the 
^\'ilderness; and George. Our sul)ject's fath- 
er was a farmer by occupation, a strong Re- 
publican, and held many township ofifices. In 
religious views he was an old school Luth- 
eran. 

George Fertig, our subject, received his 
education in the common schools. In the fall 



of 1862 he enlisted in Company F, 122nd Pa. 
Reserves, for nine months' service. He re- 
ceived his discharge at llarrisburg, returned 
home and after his father's death operated, in 
company for a short time with S. R. Yerick, 
a general store at Kratzerville, Pa. He then 
went into partnership with John S. Beaver at 
Selinsgrove, Pa., and later was in business one 
and a half years in a general store with George 
Wirt. He then sold out his interest and re- 
moved to Indiana, where he operated a flour- 
ing mill, returning in the fall of 1865 to marry 
Mary Ann Sho\\ler, a daughter of John and 
Catherine (tiarmon) Showier, both now de- 
ceased. Mr. Showier was a blacksmith and 
farmer. Our subject and wife are the parents 
of two children: G. Howard, who is shipping 
clerk in the novelty works, but is a hat maker 
i)y trade, married Elizabeth Poeth of Lew- 
isburg. Pa. W' illiam E. is a grinder in the nov- 
elty works, married Elizabeth Van Kirk of 
Point township, and had one child, Annie, 
now deceased. After our subject's marriage 
he settled in Northumberland and formed a 
partnership with W. T. Forsythe in a general 
store, where he remained seven years. Then 
for a few years he was with Van Allen & Com- 
pany. At a later period he assumed the re- 
sponsibility of the business alone. He has 
now retired from business life, with the excep- 
tion of performing the duties of justice of the 
l)eacc, to which office he was elected in 1894. 
He has held man\- offices in the borough. So- 
cially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. ; K. of 
P.; Red Men; and James Taggart Post, No. 
350, G. A. R. 



INDKX 



Biographical 



A 

Adams. Dr. Louis J 90 

Alexander, Edwin W. . (HS 

Angle. Frank C 196 

Arment. Dr. Samuel B. . . . 704 
Armstrong, George P. and 

Harry W. 741 

Aucker. Reuben S 228 

Auten, \'oris 646 

Avery Howard D 476 

B 

Baker, George G 589 

Baldy, Peter, -Sr 701 

Barton. Thomas ] 4:i8 

Beahen, Thomas W 245 

Bealor, Dr John W 222 

Beaver, Jesse L 539 

Beck, John H 297 

Bedford, Henry 290 

Bennett, R. George .... 164 

Bergstresser, Samuel E. . . 480 

Belts, Henry S 252 

Bigger. General George W. . . 765 

Binder, Ignatius B 573 

Bird, Mrs. Christianna C. . . 426 

Bird, Ransler B 614 

Bird, Ulysses 145 

Black, Prof. Moses R. . . 64 

Black, William W 197 

Bloom, Urias 141 

Bloonisburg State Normal 

School, The 240 



Bobb, Peter G 


567 


Bogardus, John M. ... 


414 


Boody, Lincoln H. ... 


139 


Botsford, Milton W. . . . 


256 


Bower, Hiram R 


97 


Bower. Hiram \V 


474 


Bower, Isaiah 


255 


Boyd, Daniel Montgomery . 


93 


Breckel, Rev. George J. . 


753 


Breece, Horace .... 


142 


Brennan, Patrick F. . . . 


441 


Brewster, Rev. Philander S., 




M. D 


59 


Bright, Dennis 


640 


Brobst, Martin L . . . . 


130 


Brong, William .... 


747 


Brower, Jeremiah John . 


411 


Brown, George E 


473 


Brown, Henry 


725 


Brown. Hiram H. . . 


147 


Brown, James C. . . 


132 


Bryfogle, Winthro]) C. 


422 


Buck, John Watson' . 


561 


Buckalew, Capt. John M. 


48 


Buckalew, Russell C. . . 


719 


Buddinger, Joseph . . 


437 


Burg. Horace William. M. D. 


266 


C 




Cadwallader, General George B 


126 


Cake, John Adam. Jr., M. D. 


654 


Camp. David 


267 


Camijbell, Azariah 


535 



Campbell, Charles H. 
Campbell, Duncan C. 
Carl. John .... 
Caswell, Edwin C. 
Cathcart. Andrew B. . 
Catterall, Joseph H. . 
Chalfant, Hon. Thomas 
Chester, Holden . 
Christian. Dr. Howard S. 
Clement, Colonel Charles M 
Clement, General John Kay 
Clifford, John .... 

Colt, John T 

Conner, Captain Harrison J 

Cotner, A. B 

Creasy, Samuel C. . 
Croninger. Matthias . 
Cruikshank, William V. . 
Cunimings, Robert M. 



413 
745 
288 
721 
420 
460 
45 
317 
770 
105 
103 
518 
265 
158 
764 
347 
217 
759 
285 



D 

Davenport, Ray H 257 

Da\is, D. Ernest 671 

Davis, Henry Eyre .... 273 

Dean, Samuel Halsey . . 679 

DeArmond, Samuel Edward 435 

Deeter. William H 524 

Deininger, James C 469 

Derby, James .M 502 

Dewart, Family 468 

Dewart, Lewis 469 

Dickson, Duval 39 

Diemer, Harry 650 



780 



INDEX. 



Dillon, John Lloyd 
Diltz, Elias . . . 
Dive!, Judge Henry 
Dorr. Charles H. . 
Drinker, Francis P. 
Dunlap, Correll 



79 
65:{ 

88 
24(; 
212 
606 



Eckman, Elisha M. 
Edgar, Thomas H. 
Edgar & Hunt . . 
Edwards, Thomas J 
Elliott, Dr. John A. 
Elwell, George Edwar 
Elwell, Hon. William 
Erieg, George A. . 
Evans, Charles C. 
Evans, Lewis 
Everett, Francis M. 
Evert, William Weave 
Eves, Ellis . 


d 

r 






3i:) 

129 
712 

676 
268 
179 
174 
609 
336 
629 
514 
442 
683 



Fagely, George K 135 

Faughnan, Dr. John C. 
Faughnan, Dr. P. J. . . . 

Faust, Daniel 

Faust, William .... 
Faust, William B . . . . 
Fawcett, Henry E. ... 
Ferris, Olaf F 



282 
695 
452 
191 
459 
568 
75U 

Fertig. George, Esq 777 

Fischer. Rev. William E. . . 280 

Fisher. Albert C 488 

Fisher, /.. B 759 

Fleming, John 311 

Fleming, John R 14 

Flynn, John W 400 

Forrester, Philip M 645 

Forry, William F 626 

Fosnot, Lew C 140 

Foster,.Hon. James .... 760 
Frick, Mrs. Elizabeth .\I. . . 598 
Fritz, Hon. Andrew Lucius . . 371 

Fritz, Charles 520 

Fruit. Benjamin Franklin . 771 

Funk, Ncvin I' 122 

Furmann, P. H 121 



Gallagher, John E. 
Gallagher, Francis W . 
Gamble, Dr. Blake K. 



318 
234 
644 



PAGE 

Gansel, Hon. Joseph .... .534 

Gardner, Dr. Benjamin Franklin 542 

Garr, Prof. Elmer K 403 

Gearhart. Alexander Montgomery 463 

Gearhart. Bonham R., Jr. . . 63 

Gearhart, George M 351 

Geisinger, Mrs. Abigail A. . . 195 

Gibbons, John F 656 

Gilbert. Samuel F., M. D. . . 585 

Glenn, Henry F 230 

Glockler, Anthony .... 328 

Goeser, John H. . ... 485 

Golembiewski. Anthony 119 

Goodwill, Robert 445 

Gorrey, Thomas 605 

Graham, Dr. W. T 746 

Green, Wheeler 627 

Grier, Isaac X.. Esq 651 

Gross. Frank M.. M. D. . . . 574 

Gross. Frederick 361 

Grotz.JohnK ;{29 

H 

Haas, Ambrose G 630 

Haas, Frederick 490 

Haas, Hiram M 591 

Haas. John K .368 

Haas. John Packer .... 613 

Haley, William F 702 

Hall, Hyman P 679 

Hamilton. Major Emanuel Clay . 312 

Hancock. Charles P 622 

Hanlon, Dr. William J. . . . 53 

Hannan, Frank 185 

Harding. James J 440 

Harman, John G 752 

Harman. Peter .S 649 

Harpel, Dr >farcus' Howard . 457 

Harpel, William F 513 

Harris, Rev. Robert N. . . . 699 

Harrison, W. Joseph .... 695 

Harter, Dr. Theodore C. . . . 29 

Hartman. F.Q 686 

Hartzell, William A 298 

Hassert. Mrs. George .... 4.53 

Hawley, Miss Frances E. 663 

1 lazen, Charles E 218 

Helm, .'\ndrew A 263 

Heller. Hiram W 410 

Hemingray, William, Sr. . 486 

Hemingway, Rev. Geo. H. . . 324 

Hempsted, James G 20 

Hennessv, .Martin 1 201 



Herr. August C. . . 
Herring, Hon. Grant . 
Higbee. James I. . . 
Higgins. George J. 

Hill, John 

Hinckley. Hon. Henry M 

Hoffman, Edward G. . 

Hoffman. Theodore 

Hollenback, Dr. Reuben 

Hollister, William G. . 

Holloway. Hon. William K 

Holmes, William C). 

Hoover, David . 

Horn, Marcus D. 

Houck, Samuel . 

Houck, Rev. William A. 

Howells. John . 

Huber, Rev. James .\. . 

Hubler. .Simon . 

Huckell, Rev. Daniel Thomas 

Hugo, Mrs. Rosalie 

Hull, Miss Margaret McCormick 



498 
37 
492 
573 
()34 
362 
706 
96 
762 
575 
642 
416 
755 
510 
114 
320 
470 
689 
531 
40 
600 
720 



J 

Jefferson, John 152 

John, Ralph R 115 

Johnson. William F 281 

Jury. Wilson U 365 



K 

Karns. Hon. Russell 
Karns, Sedgwick B. 
Kase, J.D.Clinton . 
Kashner. Peter .S. 
Kay. Albert . . 
Kearney. William E. 
Kecfer, George F. . 
Keefer. George W. 
Keim. Joseph 
Reiser, Jacob R. 
Kennedy. Dr. Robert .'\ 
Kennedy. Tliomas E. 
Kennedy, William A. 
Kiefer. William 
Kimble. John G. . 
Kitchen, Frank R. 
Kleim. Christopher A 
Kline, Harry W . 
Knapp, Christian Frederick 
Knight, Frederick Henry 
Knight, Harry S. . . . 
Koch. Very Rev. John Joseph 



112 
126 
775 

89 
191 
725 
733 
731 
617 
111 
564 
398 
106 
619 
• 42 
357 
425 
454 

11 
540 
388 

23 



INDEX. 



781 



PAGE 

Kocher, William R 243 

Kohlbraker, Francis H. . . . 769 

Konstankiewicz, Rev. John Ch. 270 

Kopp, Joseph 319 

K reamer, Conrad 124 

Kremer, Charles L 322 

Kreitzer. John H 671 

Krickbaum, William .... 180 

Kulp, Hon. Monroe H. . . . 161 

Kurtz. Hon. Jennings U. . . 355 

L 

Laird, Thomas S 5S9 

Lancaster, Robert D. ... 358 
Laubach, Issac Kinney Krickbaum 389 

Lay, Ur. Anson A 383 

Leader. Charles C 69 

Leisering, Dayton K. ... 694 

Lesher, Prof. Albert U. . . . 607 

Lewis, Benjamin 595 

Lewis, Oscar 258 

Lilley. Joseph M 26 

Little, Ezra S fill 

Little, Hon. Robert R. . . . 189 

Logan. Joe A 352 

Longshore, Ashbel, B.. D. I). S. 448 

Lorenz, Frederick W. V. . . 767 

Lotier, Victor A 431 

Low, Dr. Elisha W. M. ... 767 

Lowry, Rev. Andrew M. . . 23;i 

LuckenbiU, Franklin W. . . 286 

Liidy. .-Vugustus A 774 



M 
McBride, Hugh D. . 
McCarthy, James A. . 
McCleery, James Pollock 
McCleery, John 
McEliece, John 
McElwee, John 
McFarlane, James 
McKamey. Samuel 
McKiUip, Harvey A. . 
McHenry, Daniel . 
McHenry, James Boyd 
McWilliams, Dr. Kimber 
Magargel, Jacob 1$. . 
Magargel, Mrs. Phoebe ^ 
Markle. Miss Annie . 
Markle. Martin 
Mason, William Clayton 
Mauser A. S: Bro. 



M 



D 



669 
660 
491 
676 
366 
584 

32 
296 
335 

65 
404 
666 
711 
716 
633 
639 

85 
378 



PAGE 

May, Isaac, Sr 773 

Mears, George W 429 

Meek, Dr. Francis J 551 

Mercer, James H 334 

Merithew, Stanley S 279 

Meuwese, Rev. Aloysius . . 199 

Meylcrt, Michael 710 

Miller, Alvin P 186 

Miller, Charles W 436 

Miller, Daniel L 131 

Miller, Elias Swartz .... 730 

Miller, James P 221 

Miller. Peter G 488 

Miller. William E 68 

Misicki, Rev. Thomas. D. D. 553 

Momley, Christian .... 642 

Monroe, Washington Madison . 153 

Montelius, Dr. Ralph W. . . 620 

Montgomery, Dr. James R. . 321 

Moody, W.'W.. M.D. ... 116 

Moore, N. Patterson ... 508 

Morehead, George E. . . . 96 

Morton, Joel, 405 

Mowrey, Isaac 552 

Mullen, John 30 

Myers, George VV 608 



Quick, George Matthew 
Quirk, Joseph B. . 



N 

Newbaker, Hon. P. C 
Newman, Joseph S. 
Norton, Powell . . 



Oram, William H. M. 
Osier, Jeremiah M. 
Ostrander, Ogden H. . 



Packer, Hon. John 15. 
Pardoe, John 
Pardee, Joseph . . 
Paules. William R., M. 1) 
Pealer, Samuel Jason 
Pensyl, Hatton A., Esq 
Peterman, Philip . 
Phillips, Hon. Maynard J 
Plumstead, Dr. Martin . 
Polk, Kufus K. . . . 
Price, Thomas J. 
Priestley, Dr. Joseph . 
Purcell, Martin E. 
Purman, Dr. Willis H. 



173 
250 
134 



109 
155 
703 



211 

184 
164 
292 
723 
525 
98 
61 
394 
507 
504 
596 
548 
523 



R 

Rabb, Dr. Charles W. . 
Raessler, Dr. Joel G. . . 
Raker, Dr. Frederick D. 
Ramsey, William J. . . 
Randall, Dr. Wallace Josepl 
Ratti, Joseph .... 

Raup, John 

Reber, Dr. William McClel 
Rebman, John .... 
Redeker, Theodore . 
Reed, Jacob H. . . . 
Reese, Thomas C. . . 
Reichert, David Fred . 
Reimard, Charles H. . 
Rhawn, William H. . . 
Richard, Frederick J. 
Richardson, John Lyman 
Riehl. James L. . . . 
Robbins, Cortez B. 
Robertson, Andrew . 
Robertson, Andrew D. 
Robison, Capt. James Boyd 
Rockefeller, Jordan Howard 
Rockefeller, Hon. William M 
Rogers, Moses Austin 
Rohrbach, Lloyd T. . . . 
Rothrock, John Henry, M. I). 

Ryon, George W 

Ryon, William W. . . . 
Rutter, Dr. John C. . . . 



349 
554 



303 
628 
693 
406 
756 
244 
287 
167 
618 
202 
223 
447 
296 
423 
393 
249 
734 
308 
430 
673 
214 

46 
686 
661 
669 
301 
692 
397 

76 
157 



Sands, Charles L 

Sanger, Thomas 

Savage, Robert Henry, D. D. S. 

Savidge, Hon. C. R 

Schaffer, John F 

Schill, George 

Schlief, Daniel 

Schmick, Daniel F 

Schneder, Rev. Charles B. . 
Schoener, Solomon . . . . 
Seely. Col. Andrew D. . . . 

Seibert. George W 

.Seller. Emanuel G 

Shannon, Joseph L 

Sharpless, Joseph 



617 
464 
749 

67 
391 
421 
748 
652 
663 
489 
409 
383 

73 
327 
556 



782 



INDEX. 



Sharretts, Rev. Edward A. . 


3.33 


Shay, William Field . 


348 


Shew, James M. .■ . . . 


183 


Shew, James U. M. 


583 


Shindel. Rev. Martin L. . 


54 


Shindol, Dr. Will I 


495 


Shipman, Hon. .Abraham 


689 


Shipman. D. Webster . . 


419 


Shultz, Cameron. .\I. D. . 


310 


Shiiman, Dr. Jesse E. 


125 


Sidler. William 1 


497 


Slate, William H 


208 


Small, William Henry . 


392 


Smink. William H. R. . . 


227 


Smith. Iiurt<in B 


555 


Smith. Clinton S 


• 80 


Smith. Jacob 


682 


Smith, James E 


529 


Smith. John iM 


123 


Smith, Nelson M., M. D. . 


635 


Snyder, Jacob L 


680 


Sollenberger. David L. . 


570 


Sowers. Joseph E. A. . 


412 


Stager, R. E 


467 


Starr, William Ellis 


558 


Staver, James M 


.'■,45 


.Stearns, Rev.William I. . 


251 


Sterling, George S. ... 


432 


Stroll. Lieut. Andrew Jackson 


511 



.Stroiip, James .599 

Suit. Alonzo J 235 

Supplee, Horace G 309 

Sweisfort, J., D. D. S. . . . 7.58 

.Swenk. Jacob H 482 



Taggart. Mrs. Annie P. . 
Taylor, (leorge E. . 
Taylor. Matthew . . . 
Taylor, Judge Robert, Jr. 
Taylor. William 15. 
Thomas, John T. . . . 
Thompson, Albert E. 
Thompson, Josei)h D. 
Thompson, Hon. Samuel V. 



\'an Dyke, James . 
Vannan, Forbes H. 
Vastine, Jacob H., M. D. 
X'inccnt. John H.. Esq. 
\'isick. James . . . . 



M. I) 



275 
77(> 
729 
151 
655 
768 
761 
339 
, 87 



304 
318 
501 
169 
579 



W 

Walli/e. Harry Clark . . . 33 

Walter, Lincoln S 479 

Walton, Harry E 546 

Watkins, Matthew Kear . . . 219 



Webster, John J. . . . 
Weicksel, Dr. Harvey J. S. 
Wells, Edward C. . . . 
Welsh, John F. . . . 
Wendling. Peter . 
Werkheiser, Jacob D. 

West, Isaac 1) 

West, William Kase . 
White, Alem Britton . . 
Whitley, John .... 
Wiest, Daniel A. . . . 
Wilcox, G. Eldaah . . 
Williams. John L. . . . 
Williams, John P. . . . 
Williams, William C. . . 
Williams. Dr. William T 
Willits, Dr. Isaiah W. . 
Wilson, Harry W. . 
Wolverton, Hon. Simon P. 
Woodin, Cleniuel Ricketts 
Wragg, William 

Y 

Yost, Alfred Nevin 
Yost, Daniel .... 
N'oimg, A. P 



Zinuiierman, John B. 
Zuern, Joseph 



763 
612 

547 
580 
553 
709 
532 
381 
239 
578 
307 
340 

;j87 

289 
81 
602 
345 
342 
17 
205 
624 

466 
415 
451 

359 

6:^6 



Portraits. 



PAGE 

Baker, George G 588 

Beaver, Jesse L 538 

Bird, Ulysses 144 

Bobb, Peter G 566 

Boody, Lincoln H 138 

Bower, Isaiah 254 

Boyd, Daniel Montgomery . 92 

Brewster, Rev. Philander.S..M.D. 58 

Brown, George E 472 

Buck, John Watson . . 660 

Buckalew, Russell C 718 

Chalfant, Hon Thomas ... 44 

Chester, Holden 316 

Clement, Colonel Charles M. . 101 

Clement, General John Kay . . 100 

Croninger, Matthias .... 216 

Cummings, Robert M. . . . 284 

Davis, Henry Eyre .... 272 

DeArmond, Samuel Edward 434 

Dillon. John Lloyd 78 

Edgar, Thomas 11 128 

Fritz, Hon. Andrew Lucius 370 

Garr, Prof. Elmer E 402 

Gearhart, Alexander Montgomery 462 

Geisinger, George F 194 

Goeser, John H 484 

Golembiewski, Anthony . . . 118 

Goodwill, Robert 444 

Gorrey, Thomas 604 

Green, Wheeler 626 

Hall, Hyman P 678 

Hanlon, Dr. William J. . . . 52 

Harman, James Lee .... 648 



Harman, Peter S 

Harpel, Dr. Marcus Howard 
Harris, Rev. Robert N. 
Harter, Theodore C. . 
Heim, Andrew A. . 
Heim, Mrs. Hester K. 
Herring, Hon. Grant . 
Higgins,GeorgeJ. . 
Huber, Rev. James A. . 
Jury, Wilson U. 
Keim, Joseph . 
Knapp, Christian Frederick 
Koch, Very Rev. John Joseph 
Kulp, Hon. Monroe H. 
Kurtz, Hon. Jennings U. 
Lewis, Benjamin . 
Little, Ezra S. . . . 
Little, Hon. Robert R. 
Lowry, Rev. Andrew M. 
McBride, Hugh D. . . 
McKamey, Samuel 
Markle, Jacob . . . 
Markle, Mr. and Mrs. M 
Mason, William Clayton 
Mears, George W. . 
Meek, Dr. Francis J. 
Meek, Dr. J. Florian 
Merithew, Stanley S. 
Newbaker, Hon. P.C. 
Oram, William H. M 
Packer, Hon. John B. 
Polk, Rufus K, . . 
Purman, Dr. Willis H. 



rtm 



648 
456 
698 

28 
260 
261 

36 
572 
688 
364 
616 

10 

22 
160 
354 
594 
610 
188 
232 
658 
294 
632 
638 

84 
428 
650 
550 
278 
172 
108 
210 
506 
622 



Reber, Dr. William McClellan 
Richard, Frederick J. . 
Rogers, Moses Austin . 
Rohrbach, Lloyd T. . 
Ryon, George W. . 
Sands, Charles L. . 
Savidge, Hon. C. R . 
Seely, Col. Andrew D. 
Seller, Emanuel G. . 
Shannon, Joseph L. 
Sharretts, Rev. Edward A 
Shew, James M. 
Shew, James V. M. . 
Shindel, Dr. Will L. . 
Shipman, D. Webster 
Smink, William H R. 
Smith. James E. 
Staver, James M. 
Taylor Matthew 
Taylor. Judge Robert, Jr. 
Thompson. Joseph D. 
Vastine, Jacob H., M. D. 
Walter, Lincoln S. . 
Werkheiser, Jacob D. 
West, William Kase . 
White, Alem Britton . 
Wiest, Daniel A. . . 
Williams, John L. 
Willits, Dr. Isaiah W. 
Wolverton. Hon. Simon P. 
Woodin, William Ha^tman 
Young, A. P 



166 
248 
668 
300 
396 
616 

66 
408 

72 
326 
332 
182 
682 
494 
418 
226 
628 
544 
728 
160 
»58 
600 
478 
708 
380 
238 
306 
386 
344 

16 
204 
450 



»» 



-B.*- 



I '2 



^ 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



IIMillllliilll 
014 208 190 8 



'f' 



'" '-j-.Ti-' 



.' ' ' ••:■•;c^ 



■'. J." 





' 'i' 


'»» 


.( ;' 






"1 





.m 



